Her insurance is being so good to you because they are scared to death that you will sue them! Many times after a body shop gets into a wreck like that in will switch from a repair to a total once they dig into it,make sure you trust the shop,don't let the ins company push you into taking it to one of thier "preferred" shops. Take it where you want! In most states it's illegal for them to tell you where to get repairs done.

 

Ok, here some more pics:

The only problem with the steps is they weren't touched, no scratches on them, and they are bent downward, but they're supports aren't bent, and they're bolted on the frame. This is the only pic where you can kinda see frame damage. Where the leaf spring mounts to the frame is bent downward, doesn't show up much on the picture, but it's there:



And here are some more pics of the wreckage:

 

Ok, I see the spring mount. That's an easy fix, but I couldn't tell in the other pictures that the step was bent down. And if the brackets and bars aren't bent, then that could be bad news!!
I would definitely get a couple more estimates. If they are more than book value, then it should be totaled. Find a couple of really good shops and get some high estimates.
You would have to trade it in without mentioning the wreck to maybe get what they are trying to pay to repair it. Shoot for getting it totaled.

 

i agree have somebody else look at it and see what they say has your insurance company looked at it yet? you might wanna get them too they just might total it.....just something to chew over but def get 2nd and maybe 3rd opinions on the wreck....good luck

 

Some states have laws to compensate people for the loss of value due to crash. The truck will have lost value after being repaired.The insurance company won't tell you about it but its there to pay the difference in value from before and after the crash.

 

Glad to c ur ok. If they total it can i buy ur rims?

 

.....

 

Talk with the insurance company and explain to them assertively, that even though they are repairing the truck, there will still be a deficit when you come to try and sell it on.
It's not just about repairing the truck, that needs to be factored into the repair costs.
For instance, if you wanted to sell your truck now before any damage was done and nothing noted on carfax and the rest of those other similar companies which drops value like a stone, what do you think it would sell for?
If there's a difference, argue with there loss adjuster for that value.
Plus any compensation for other losses such as time off work, injuries etc etc.
Good luck and at any and all times, remind the insurance company just what their client did to you and the tremendous gravity of it all!
Al.

 

thats a very good point al.......

 

Ok, update... Apparently I misunderstood the adjuster yesterday on the phone, here's the new scoop. She faxed me over the damage estimate, it comes out to be $10,482. Now I'm also getting $4,600 for my "Diminished Vehicle Value Claim." The adjuster had already put in a Diminished value claim for me when I did the original damages claim. Didn't realize she did that. Now I haven't settled or agreed to anything yet. The adjuster said if I wasn't happy with that to get independent estimates done. I don't know what book she's going off of, but she said the damages were only slightly more than 50% of the Real Market Value of my truck, which is less than what they consider a "Total Loss".

I had 2 more estimates done from "Good" body shops around here, both estimates were under $10k. Both estimates say there's no frame damage. Now I just have to find someone else to do a 2nd opinion on the diminished value.

I talked to a salesman at the dealership I bought my truck from, and he had some numbers ran for me and said based on my "Before Accident" pictures they would give me $12k for my truck if the body shop brought it to "Before Accident" condition. $12k + the $4600, gives me $16,600 for a trade-in which would be more than what I could've got before the wreck...

As soon as I find someone that estimates diminished value have a look and make sure they're not screwing me there, I guess I'll just settle...

To be continued...