Likely totaled from this…

[xtraman122]

Got rear ended on the highway on my way to the airport a few weeks ago, didn’t think it was anything too major, traffic all stopped very abruptly, I just stopped in time but the guy behind me (In a Tundra) didn’t. He figured he was going about 15mph when he hit me which seems about right.

We swapped information and this Monday was when the body shop had an opening for me. I thought there had to be an error when I got an automated text about their assessment and it showed a total of just under $24k… They let me a voicemail saying they didn’t even take it apart yet but found frame damage behind the right wheel far enough out of Ford’s spec that it’s considered unrepairable, so it will need an entire new frame. They called Geico letting them know and it’s now being assessed for a likely total loss. Never would have thought a seemingly fairly minor rear ending like this could total a truck so easily, wild. Still haven’t heard back from them but they said the estimate will only go up and the thing is only worth about $32k or so at this point (2021 302A PB with 55k miles). I’ve been driving it for 2 weeks without anything feeling weird at all, just crazy that it’s likely considered totaled in this state.

So… Now I’m looking at new (Likely lightly used) trucks and deciding what I might want to buy.

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[tsigwing]

I would inquire about purchasing it from the insurance company. Replace the bumper and drive it.

 

[Mosey]

Get a second estimate.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I just cannot believe that such a minor hit would cause that amount of damage but then a similar thing happened to my wife with her 24 Sportage. Got rear-ended from a guy doing maybe 15 mph. Such a light impact that his airbags didn't deploy only had a broken grill and marred bumper but total damages to her car ended up being almost 14.6K... Luckily no damage to the suspension geometry so the body shop was able to repair it 100%.

I'd definitely look into a second estimate just to be sure because if this is accurate Ford must now be making the frame out of Chinesium steel.

 

[xtraman122]

I would inquire about purchasing it from the insurance company. Replace the bumper and drive it.

You mean have them total it, get the payout, and then buy it back with a salvage title for some fraction of the value? Didn’t even know that was an option.

 

[xtraman122]

I just cannot believe that such a minor hit would cause that amount of damage but then a similar thing happened to my wife with her 24 Sportage. Got rear-ended from a guy doing maybe 15 mph. Such a light impact that his airbags didn't deploy only had a broken grill and marred bumper but total damages to her car ended up being almost 14.6K... Luckily no damage to the suspension geometry so the body shop was able to repair it 100%.

I'd definitely look into a second estimate just to be sure because if this is accurate Ford must now be making the frame out of Chinesium steel.

Yeah it really is hard to believe something seemingly so small could total a big truck like this. Explains a lot of why insurance rates are so ridiculous. I think the fact that he hit me off-center combined with the fact that I had my foot on the brakes hard from having just stopped and him being in a 5k lb+ truck contributed a lot to it.

 

[Dakar09]

It does seem a little ridiculous that a hit like that would cause so much damage. Do they not do "frame straightening" any longer on ladder frames?

I would look into what ramifications having a "salvage title" on a vehicle is when you go to sell it or trade it in. It may seem attractive financially now, but the truck will be worth significantly less at that point.

 

[264winmag]

Get another body shop to look at it.

 

[kieefer]

Nope. Mines much worse. New frame under a new truck is supposedly what I’m getting.

Year model and mileage must be the determining factor.

 

[Buyer2021]

See attached from Workshop Manual, just FYI

 

[Billflangjr]

I just cannot believe that such a minor hit would cause that amount of damage but then a similar thing happened to my wife with her 24 Sportage. Got rear-ended from a guy doing maybe 15 mph. Such a light impact that his airbags didn't deploy only had a broken grill and marred bumper but total damages to her car ended up being almost 14.6K... Luckily no damage to the suspension geometry so the body shop was able to repair it 100%.

I'd definitely look into a second estimate just to be sure because if this is accurate Ford must now be making the frame out of Chinesium steel.

Yes

 

[xtraman122]

It does seem a little ridiculous that a hit like that would cause so much damage. Do they not do "frame straightening" any longer on ladder frames?

I would look into what ramifications having a "salvage title" on a vehicle is when you go to sell it or trade it in. It may seem attractive financially now, but the truck will be worth significantly less at that point.

I agree, if taking the salvage title route I'd expect the thing to be practically worthless in the future, especially if the frame damage is still present.

Regarding straightening it, they said Ford has an official spec for how far it's bent and if beyond that spec, they consider it non-repairable, and mine was apparently beyond the spec.

 

[xtraman122]

Nope. Mines much worse. New frame under a new truck is supposedly what I’m getting.

Year model and mileage must be the determining factor.

I'm sure value plays a large role in it. With repairs estimated around $24k, my truck being worth around $30-34k in its current state versus it being brand new and still worth $50k+ must play a huge role in determining whether to go through with the repair or not.

 

[Vater]

I'm sure value plays a large role in it. With repairs estimated around $24k, my truck being worth around $30-34k in its current state versus it being brand new and still worth $50k+ must play a huge role in determining whether to go through with the repair or not.

I was told once that insurance companies will total vehicles when the repair cost hits 75% of the bluebook value

 

[xtraman122]

I was told once that insurance companies will total vehicles when the repair cost hits 75% of the bluebook value

It seems like it varies by state and insurance company, being a little different everywhere. But that roughly aligns with the different calculations I've seen. Still no word back from Geico....

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