Can it be saved

[FGreggo]

My daughter was driving the cruiser on a local two lane hwy when the car in front of her stopped in the middle of the road to look at our local elk herd grazing in a field. She is okay, no injuries. Insurance wants to total the vehicle. Still runs, but the front end damage is significant. What are your thoughts, can I talk them into repairing? Should I even try?
The car has A little over 200k on the odometer. Not all mine, I am the third owner.
No rust and everything works. Windshield was replaced but all of the other glass is original. New suspension, ikon wheels wrapped in BFG KO3’s.
Sherpa roof rack. In total I’ve put about 20k into the vehicle including the dreaded valley leak repair, new timing chain and guides etc..

 

[tbisaacs]

That’s a totaled vehicle my friend.

 

[FGreggo]

I know you’re probably right, just not what I wanted to hear.

 

[TLC2013]

Bummer sorry to hear. Most importantly your family is ok and walked away.
If I was in your position I would maximize the insurance payout. Find comps and get them to pay you what your rig is worth and then harvest any aftermarket parts you want to keep and find a 2015 or newer 200 that should be clear of any head gadget issues.
I just dealt with insurance after getting hit by a driver that was deemed 100% at fault in the accident, getting insurance to cover aftermarket’s parts is a total nightmare. They make you work for it no doubt….its exhausting. I almost wish they would have totaled my rig after going through that ordeal.

 

[doru]

In other parts of the world and here back in the day repairing is/was an option. Times have changed...
If the frame is not bent then there is a possibility, although it all depends on how much the repair will cost and what the insurance estimates the vehicle is worth.
It requires you to work on bringing the repair cost down and the value up.
To bring repairs down it requires you finding a shop that you trust and can work with you, that is willing to accept prats that you bring, let you do some of the work to save on labor, specify if or how much panel blending you want, etc.
To bring the value up - this is also required if it is totaled, you need to do research for actual sales of comparable vehicles and negociate with the insurance. It also requires good records to show the conditions, nice pictures.
I played this game before for two different vehicles and was successful, but it required a lot of vehicle knowledge, a trusted shop willing to work with me, sourcing parts cheaper, and me doing some of the work. It turned out well but not everyone has so much time or enjoys working on cars so much.

You are the judge if all this headache is worth for your vehicle.

Depending on your policy, aftermarket parts may not or may be limited on coverage. Anyway, I would remove them and sell/reinstall on a new gig.

For appraisal there are a few threads in this forum about dealing with it. It is a bit or a lot of work depending on your circumstances. There are also businesses that you can hire to deal with that for you.

Good luck!

 

[stonepa]

Sadly that would be totaled in the US, especially if you have rental car coverage. In the rest of the world they would fix if.

 

[Vasiliy]

Show us under the hood. I want to see how damaged the radiator support and fenders apron are

 

[FGreggo]

Show us under the hood. I want to see how damaged the radiator support and fenders apron are

Insurance has the vehicle now. If I get a chance to see her again, I’ll try to snap some pictures.
Oddly from peaking in, the radiator looks intact although very squished.

 

[DesertRider]

Whenever you have the option to total the vehicle, total the vehicle. You're daughter is safe, give thanks and let the vehicle go.

I've had vehicles that were repaired after accidents, and they were never as good as pre-accident. Pull off all your upgrades and start looking for the best used cruiser you can find.