The front looks standard. What is highly customized?
Insurance value for highly customized '94 FZJ80
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The radiator is punctured to the extent all the coolant leaked out. Aside from that, I am not sure what keeps it from being drivable. It would not move after being hit. I suppose that would have been a good time to use the lockers if it was just a flat front wheel keeping it from driving.
The rig is stock. I realize that I hijacked a thread for the value of a highly customized 80 when mine is not. This thread just happended to have the best information on dealing with insurance companies and the process people went through to make sure appraisers understand the value of a locked 80. I just decided to roll with it.
Sorry, that makes sense now.
An adjuster doesn't need the rig to be any place special to appraise the damage. More likely they would like to limiting access to the vehicle while you discover if you have any neck or back pain.
You should tell them you plan on towing it to your house yourself once your back feels better.
An adjuster doesn't need the rig to be any place special to appraise the damage. More likely they would like to limiting access to the vehicle while you discover if you have any neck or back pain.
You should tell them you plan on towing it to your house yourself once your back feels better.
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If Geico gives you a fair price in their total replacement value and you can buy back for $200 like MikeB, definitely buy it back. You can part out if it's not fixable and make back way more than $200 and/or use good parts on your new project rig. I see an opportunity for a trail-only rig addition along with a replacement DD!
Geico looked at the rig at the tow yard this morning and noted that, "the axle housing was shoved back." An estimate will come in 24 hours or so according to the adjuster who through out an unsolicited $9600 value of the vehicle. I told him to make sure they were comparing values of locked 97 LX450's versus unlocked. If they total it, Geico wants me to release it to them so they can tow it to their auction house storage yard about 25 miles away. I may have to let them if I want the tow bill to be paid. I'm not sure on that as Idaho laws do not seem to indicate if I have the right to retain the vehicle. Regardless, I am thinking I have to let them have it if that is the only way they will pay the current tow and storage bill.
Bummer Stuth. If I could get close to $10k for ours, and buy it back for $200, I'd be all over it.
I made the mistake of letting a towing company take my daughter's car to thier yard when she rear-ended someone...should have had them take it directly to my house. They charged her for a day of storage and a 'delivery fee' to move it to my house. It was at thier yard for about 3 hours. She was only carrying liability, and didn't have towing, she was at fault.
I'd be interested to see what broke, moving the axle back. What was the condition of the other vehicle?
Dan
I made the mistake of letting a towing company take my daughter's car to thier yard when she rear-ended someone...should have had them take it directly to my house. They charged her for a day of storage and a 'delivery fee' to move it to my house. It was at thier yard for about 3 hours. She was only carrying liability, and didn't have towing, she was at fault.
I'd be interested to see what broke, moving the axle back. What was the condition of the other vehicle?
Dan
The other vehicle was in far worse condition. Both air bags deployed on the other vehicle (2003 VW Golf). Do you have any thoughts on getting the vehicle to my house and getting Geico to pay the towing/storage? I could pay for it, but I'm sure we are pushing several hundred dollars by now.
Congrats on the payout!
FWIW, when I totalled my built-up '97 4Runner, I got a very good settlement from Progessive and didn't really need to break anyone's balls to get it. They gave me extra $$$ for new tires, oversized tires, lifted, "running boards" (they were DOM sliders, lol) and even the "spoiler" (factory air deflector). Got back more than what I paid for the vehicle and bought the truck back for $700, pulled off all the good parts, helped out a friend in need of a donor engine and sold the rest for profit.
Sometimes it pays to wreck a vehicle
FWIW, when I totalled my built-up '97 4Runner, I got a very good settlement from Progessive and didn't really need to break anyone's balls to get it. They gave me extra $$$ for new tires, oversized tires, lifted, "running boards" (they were DOM sliders, lol) and even the "spoiler" (factory air deflector). Got back more than what I paid for the vehicle and bought the truck back for $700, pulled off all the good parts, helped out a friend in need of a donor engine and sold the rest for profit.
Sometimes it pays to wreck a vehicle
Decide what's Important, getting your property back or the tow Bill. The Ins. co. client damaged you and Is responsible for costs associated with that damage, I can not see how you wont be made whole for Incured costs. I do not know what legal Issues are associated with this In your state . The way It works In ILL. you pay then are reimbursed, It stinks but they will pay. Now the back Is a whole other story. Do Not mess around with your back, YOU will pay for that later. I would speak with someone very qualified about that. Good Luck and I hope you have no lasting pain.
I would think that as the other driver was at fault, that they would pay towing and storage up to this point. IF you settle and buy it back from them, then you'd have to pay for the tow to your place. I don't have access to a car-hauler anymore, or I'd help you get it. It should only be about $50-$100 to get it from their yard to your place (assuming they're in town).
Owyhee Jackass! I was able to get Geico to pay the bill and get the vehicle towed back to my place. If you are in a pink panty-raid mood and want to go creampuff stalking, I know you know where to find the rig and see the carnage.
Looks like the front left portion of the frame got tweaked. The left panhard bar, kissed the swaybar mounting bracket and bent the bracket. The driver's door touches the front fender when you open the door. The fan may have touched the radiator. Bumper is trash, A/C dryer survived.
Seems fixable, steel has a good memory, the frame will go back to where it was, you'll end up with a salvage title. I know it's not your bag, but why not take the cash, buy it back and give it a shot? Worst case, you give up and 'scrap' it for the salvage cost quoted. You're not out anything but some time...you need a hobby, besides skiing and biking.
I would like to thank everyone who PM’d me advice and everyone on this thread who helped me get through this ordeal. A big thanks also goes out to those who tolerated my hijacking this thread. This particular thread really is the best one on mud detailing what to do with insurance companies if someone crosses the center line and slams into your 80.
Idaho law mandates that an insurance company must use an independent appraiser. Both the party admitting liability (Geico) and my insurance (USAA) used the same appraisal company CCC One. Despite submitting all the same information and comparables, the appraisals by CCC One done for each insurance company were almost $3000 apart. The difference in salvage cost was well over $1000 apart with each insurance company as well. I had 5 Cruiser enthusiasts in my back alley surveying the damage a few weeks ago. They were unanimous in wanting to buy it from the insurance company after several pints of beer, but not so enthused when the second salvage price came back closer to $2800. Despite admitting liability, Geico was very unpleasant and obstinate to work with, so I went with my own insurance company. I would have had to hire a different independent appraisal company and an attorney to get Geico to do anything other than the bare minimum under Idaho Law. The whole process took 6 weeks, largely due to having to work with two different companies. So what is a not-at-all modified 80 worth? $11,600 if it is a cream puff and you can prove it.
Idaho law mandates that an insurance company must use an independent appraiser. Both the party admitting liability (Geico) and my insurance (USAA) used the same appraisal company CCC One. Despite submitting all the same information and comparables, the appraisals by CCC One done for each insurance company were almost $3000 apart. The difference in salvage cost was well over $1000 apart with each insurance company as well. I had 5 Cruiser enthusiasts in my back alley surveying the damage a few weeks ago. They were unanimous in wanting to buy it from the insurance company after several pints of beer, but not so enthused when the second salvage price came back closer to $2800. Despite admitting liability, Geico was very unpleasant and obstinate to work with, so I went with my own insurance company. I would have had to hire a different independent appraisal company and an attorney to get Geico to do anything other than the bare minimum under Idaho Law. The whole process took 6 weeks, largely due to having to work with two different companies. So what is a not-at-all modified 80 worth? $11,600 if it is a cream puff and you can prove it.
