I join my fellow Expys in being glad that you're OK. Unfortunately, after damage like yours, no matter how good the body shop is, your Expy will never be the same again. Hopefully, YOUR shop will prove me wrong.
Is it totaled?
- Thread starter 2024WhiteExpedit
- Start date
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YOWZA !!!!
That's gotta hurt for sure. I would seriously be preparing myself for a shopping trip to a local dealership, hahaha
Good luck !
Yes 2024 White Expy! If I were in your shoes, I would insist on it being totaled. The insurance company will be able to sell it for really good money because it is so new & low milage (I would assume).
Our friends had a 6 month old 2023 Suburban Denali that was hit very hard on the RH rear door post & quarter panel by a 'loaded' teenager in a PU. Most of the airbags went off, both the RH doors and a portion of the roof were replaced along with the 2nd row seat and carpeting. It took 3 months to get repaired! When they got it back, it looked pretty good but there were tons of things that didn't work properly and they had major wind noise at the RH rear door & window. They took it back to the body shop and it took 5-6 weeks more before they got it back but very little had been fixed. Some of the wind noise was reduced but NOT gone, the door light still didn't come on when opening the back door, the running board made an awful noise, the lane keeping no longer worked "at all", the lift gate would intermittently NOT work, the RH quarter window leaked water and the electronic & cosmetic defects went on & on. They contacted the insurance company who basically blew them off and said these problems were between them and the body shop. So, they took it to a separate NEW body shop who wanted nothing to do with their Suburban, because of possible litigation. NOT interested!
No one would do anything and they now hated the car, didn't trust it nor want it any longer. They ended up hiring an attorney who filed a law suit against the insurance company and the insurance companies choice of body shop. That suit took 3-1/2 more months and their attorney finally won the case in their favor, they were paid for the current value of the car (but now the Suburban was almost a year older so, worth less money), attorney fees and rental car reimbursements plus the insurance company took their Suburban back. At the end, they bought another New Suburban (2 years newer) and it cost them $18,700 more out of pocket, to get back to normal. They were NOT reimbursed for their Extended Warranty, nor Sales Taxes, nor DMV fees either. They lost their after-market wheels and Michelin Tires as well. NOT a good deal for them at all!
I hope this all goes better for you! The most important thing is that you and your family are OK. Money can be replaced but not people nor good health. You were lucky there, it seems to me. Best of luck with your Expy and I hope things go your way, Lance
Our friends had a 6 month old 2023 Suburban Denali that was hit very hard on the RH rear door post & quarter panel by a 'loaded' teenager in a PU. Most of the airbags went off, both the RH doors and a portion of the roof were replaced along with the 2nd row seat and carpeting. It took 3 months to get repaired! When they got it back, it looked pretty good but there were tons of things that didn't work properly and they had major wind noise at the RH rear door & window. They took it back to the body shop and it took 5-6 weeks more before they got it back but very little had been fixed. Some of the wind noise was reduced but NOT gone, the door light still didn't come on when opening the back door, the running board made an awful noise, the lane keeping no longer worked "at all", the lift gate would intermittently NOT work, the RH quarter window leaked water and the electronic & cosmetic defects went on & on. They contacted the insurance company who basically blew them off and said these problems were between them and the body shop. So, they took it to a separate NEW body shop who wanted nothing to do with their Suburban, because of possible litigation. NOT interested!
No one would do anything and they now hated the car, didn't trust it nor want it any longer. They ended up hiring an attorney who filed a law suit against the insurance company and the insurance companies choice of body shop. That suit took 3-1/2 more months and their attorney finally won the case in their favor, they were paid for the current value of the car (but now the Suburban was almost a year older so, worth less money), attorney fees and rental car reimbursements plus the insurance company took their Suburban back. At the end, they bought another New Suburban (2 years newer) and it cost them $18,700 more out of pocket, to get back to normal. They were NOT reimbursed for their Extended Warranty, nor Sales Taxes, nor DMV fees either. They lost their after-market wheels and Michelin Tires as well. NOT a good deal for them at all!
I hope this all goes better for you! The most important thing is that you and your family are OK. Money can be replaced but not people nor good health. You were lucky there, it seems to me. Best of luck with your Expy and I hope things go your way, Lance
2024WhiteExpedit
Member
That is my thought as well. I’m in MI and the accident was in WV which is where the expy sits at a Ford Collison Center.
2024WhiteExpedit
Member
It’s got 29,000 miles on it and pristine before accident.
If your insurance and GAP are as good as you claim, I'd actually hope they total it at a fair price, and that you have a good arbiter if needed they fail to do that. As others have pointed out, if the frame, suspension, or major body components were involved, the vehicle will likely never be like it was.
Hello again 2024WhiteExpy:
I forgot to mention that, about the "Totaling if Air Bags go Off" rumor, I don't think that is an absolute, in all cases. I think it depends on the damages and how severe they are and what the insurance company policies are.
I have a close friend whose body shop only fixes 100's of 'Rental Cars' every month. Mostly bumper covers and dents/dings. Some of those Rental Car Companies have a policy that if the Air Bags have deployed, they total the car 100% of the time. The companies contention is that if the Air Bags have gone off, even if that car is repaired perfectly, that there may be unseen, hidden damage that could put the Rental Car Company in liability jeopardy, in case of a second accident. This is because every accident is fully documented, and they don't want their own documents to convict them, should there be a lawsuit by a customer.
Once these cars are "totaled" and they are rebuilt, they become rebuilt "Salvage Titled" vehicles. By this "Salvage Title" designation alone, these cars are worth 1/2 - 2/3 the value of a "clean" titled vehicle and, also many insurance companies do NOT want to insure these "Salvage Title" vehicles either, for the same liability reasoning that the Rental Car Companies use. I would never buy any salvage titled vehicle, no matter how cheap they were! That worries me about how safe they may be for me and my family! But, that's just me, Lance
I forgot to mention that, about the "Totaling if Air Bags go Off" rumor, I don't think that is an absolute, in all cases. I think it depends on the damages and how severe they are and what the insurance company policies are.
I have a close friend whose body shop only fixes 100's of 'Rental Cars' every month. Mostly bumper covers and dents/dings. Some of those Rental Car Companies have a policy that if the Air Bags have deployed, they total the car 100% of the time. The companies contention is that if the Air Bags have gone off, even if that car is repaired perfectly, that there may be unseen, hidden damage that could put the Rental Car Company in liability jeopardy, in case of a second accident. This is because every accident is fully documented, and they don't want their own documents to convict them, should there be a lawsuit by a customer.
Once these cars are "totaled" and they are rebuilt, they become rebuilt "Salvage Titled" vehicles. By this "Salvage Title" designation alone, these cars are worth 1/2 - 2/3 the value of a "clean" titled vehicle and, also many insurance companies do NOT want to insure these "Salvage Title" vehicles either, for the same liability reasoning that the Rental Car Companies use. I would never buy any salvage titled vehicle, no matter how cheap they were! That worries me about how safe they may be for me and my family! But, that's just me, Lance
Yep, purevw:
Thinking about what you are saying about "will likely never be like it was", is absolutely true. I had another friend who rebuilt many 100's of Totals 15-20 years ago. This is when most newer cars during those years only had a steering wheel Air Bag & a passenger side Air Bag. He told me that when those Air Bags went off, that the explosion of the Air Bag would bow all 4 doors outboard because of that instantaneous pressure within the car.
Sometimes, they would just grab the tops of the doors from inside, put their knees on the door panel and bend that door top back in, to stop air/wind noise. Sometimes, they had to replace one or more doors. That never sounded good to me! You are exactly right in your advice. If the frame and suspension were damaged/effected, that's even worse. I have followed a lot of cars that dog-tracked down the road, most likely from being in an accident. That must be brutal on alignments and excessive tire wear. NOT GOOD to me! Lance
Thinking about what you are saying about "will likely never be like it was", is absolutely true. I had another friend who rebuilt many 100's of Totals 15-20 years ago. This is when most newer cars during those years only had a steering wheel Air Bag & a passenger side Air Bag. He told me that when those Air Bags went off, that the explosion of the Air Bag would bow all 4 doors outboard because of that instantaneous pressure within the car.
Sometimes, they would just grab the tops of the doors from inside, put their knees on the door panel and bend that door top back in, to stop air/wind noise. Sometimes, they had to replace one or more doors. That never sounded good to me! You are exactly right in your advice. If the frame and suspension were damaged/effected, that's even worse. I have followed a lot of cars that dog-tracked down the road, most likely from being in an accident. That must be brutal on alignments and excessive tire wear. NOT GOOD to me! Lance
2024WhiteExpedit
Member
He was already found to be 100% at fault by the insurance company.
They will probably repair it. Take it to a shop of your choice. One that works for U and not the Ins. Co,. Insist on only new Ford parts. Tell the repair shop that you will be getting a post repair inspection and claiming DV. It would be best to seek help ASAP since this is a major pain and the INS, Co are pros at jipping folks. I ran a body shop for over 40 years and always worked for the vehicle owner. If you need help search for Post Repair and Diminished Value consultants. The DV on my rear ended 24 Max Limited 4x with only 3k on it and with 12k in repairs was 14k. The cost of proper repairs may total it so make sure you get what it is worth.
2024WhiteExpedit
Member
Thank you! Sounds like they are going to fix it at this point. Estimating 23k in damages. I’m in MI and my car is in WV. Will I have to cover the cost of towing it back to MI to get it fixed here? Also the shop is estimating that it will take 127 hrs to repair at about 15 hrs a week. That’s a hefty rental car bill.
Hi again 2024WhiteExpy:
It is a shame that they did not total it. I sure agree w/ JKH13 about getting reimbursed for "Diminished Value" (DV) though. It very well may be worth getting a consultant on your side of things, as well. I don't know how their fees are set up but it's worth a call to one or two consultants. (read reviews) One other thing about getting it towed from WV to MI, I am thinking that you may have to arrange that and pay for it too but, you must make sure the insurance company reimburses you for that expense plus your expenses of getting you home after the accident too, unless the insurance company arranged a rental car for you to get home.
I definitely would have the Expy transported back to MI to have it repaired in MI, if that is what has to be done vs totaled. You want it to be done fairly close to your home so that if it gets fixed and there are problems (most likely will be) you can take it back to your local body shop and NOT have to drive to WV many times, which never works well for us owners dealing out-of-state, anyway.
I am in CA but a bought a new T350 Ford Transit Cargo Van near Baltimore, Maryland and had it transported out here to Las Vegas. (the reason for delivery in South Las Vegas was that Rich does NOT have licenses to enter the CA highways without getting a new truck that meets the crazy CA, CARB [California Air Resources Board] requirements) The fellow that did the hauling, Rich, was referred to me buy a Transit pro-salesman named Ed from Texas, on the Transit USA Forum. The haulers name is Rich Trible @ (417) 588-5174 and he is from your end of the country. He has a flat-bed diesel semi and is very conscientious, clean and a nice guy, if you want to contact him. Rich Trible was NOT the cheapest quote (maybe 10%-15% high) that I got but the ONLY quote I got that I would and could deal directly with the owner/driver. (in my case Rich Trible) Most haulers are BROKERS and if you read their reviews 40% are positive and 60% are horror stories w/ added fees, damages, drop & switch haulers and huge delays. Just scary stuff for me! My Ford Transit Van arrived right on time (couple of hours early actually) and was in perfect, undamaged condition, just like it was picked up in Maryland. I talked to Rich 2-3 times on the road by cell and he called me the night before he was to meet me in Las Vegas, to set up a PU time. When I first contacted Rich, he gave me a price (which he came down on slightly because I asked) and told me he needed NO Deposit and would travel to the Maryland dealership, speak w/ the salesman, get the paperwork and haul the Transit to Las Vegas for me but he needed a "Cashiers Check" for the full amount upon delivery in Las Vegas. That worked out so perfect and was very comfortable for me. Rich trusted me and I trusted him, as it should be done. I am hoping this helps you out some, Lance
It is a shame that they did not total it. I sure agree w/ JKH13 about getting reimbursed for "Diminished Value" (DV) though. It very well may be worth getting a consultant on your side of things, as well. I don't know how their fees are set up but it's worth a call to one or two consultants. (read reviews) One other thing about getting it towed from WV to MI, I am thinking that you may have to arrange that and pay for it too but, you must make sure the insurance company reimburses you for that expense plus your expenses of getting you home after the accident too, unless the insurance company arranged a rental car for you to get home.
I definitely would have the Expy transported back to MI to have it repaired in MI, if that is what has to be done vs totaled. You want it to be done fairly close to your home so that if it gets fixed and there are problems (most likely will be) you can take it back to your local body shop and NOT have to drive to WV many times, which never works well for us owners dealing out-of-state, anyway.
I am in CA but a bought a new T350 Ford Transit Cargo Van near Baltimore, Maryland and had it transported out here to Las Vegas. (the reason for delivery in South Las Vegas was that Rich does NOT have licenses to enter the CA highways without getting a new truck that meets the crazy CA, CARB [California Air Resources Board] requirements) The fellow that did the hauling, Rich, was referred to me buy a Transit pro-salesman named Ed from Texas, on the Transit USA Forum. The haulers name is Rich Trible @ (417) 588-5174 and he is from your end of the country. He has a flat-bed diesel semi and is very conscientious, clean and a nice guy, if you want to contact him. Rich Trible was NOT the cheapest quote (maybe 10%-15% high) that I got but the ONLY quote I got that I would and could deal directly with the owner/driver. (in my case Rich Trible) Most haulers are BROKERS and if you read their reviews 40% are positive and 60% are horror stories w/ added fees, damages, drop & switch haulers and huge delays. Just scary stuff for me! My Ford Transit Van arrived right on time (couple of hours early actually) and was in perfect, undamaged condition, just like it was picked up in Maryland. I talked to Rich 2-3 times on the road by cell and he called me the night before he was to meet me in Las Vegas, to set up a PU time. When I first contacted Rich, he gave me a price (which he came down on slightly because I asked) and told me he needed NO Deposit and would travel to the Maryland dealership, speak w/ the salesman, get the paperwork and haul the Transit to Las Vegas for me but he needed a "Cashiers Check" for the full amount upon delivery in Las Vegas. That worked out so perfect and was very comfortable for me. Rich trusted me and I trusted him, as it should be done. I am hoping this helps you out some, Lance
Whew, that's a whole lotta trust goin on there.....glad it worked out for you, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to do this, given the way some people are nowadays...
I know that may seem like a sad, pitiful view of the hoomAn race in general, but as many folks have said: "it is what it is"
But OTOH, yes, if it will be repaired, I would definitely have the vehicle towed to & worked on locally, for all the reasons listed above and others as well...
DieselMonk
Full Access Members
Yes, trust to the repair shop is key. If you don’t trust em, get rid of the Expy and buy a new one. Lucky me, I can trust my repair shop. Had a B pillar switched out on the drivers side on a different truck and everything was A1 after the repair. No noises or any ill effects.
Do your research and act accordingly. It’s hard these days, but that’s why I keep driving Ford… all because of the dealership and their attached collision repair shop.
Do your research and act accordingly. It’s hard these days, but that’s why I keep driving Ford… all because of the dealership and their attached collision repair shop.
2024WhiteExpedit
Member
I’ve decided to have it transported here to MI to take it to the dealer that I bought it from. I’m going to push the insurance company for new parts.
DieselMonk
Full Access Members
And make sure to mention that there is no bueno, unless the car is fixed correctly.
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