Got hit and it aint pretty

shak · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:24 pm

so I got T-boned yesterday by a senior citizen who claimed that he didn't see me. Very ticked off!!! My body shop gave me an estimate for $6200 since he says the rocker panel needs to be replaced along with the 2 driver side doors. From those who have been in situations like this, what is your advice and also based on that estimate, what are the chances of the car being totalled?

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sorry for the pic quality. took it with the iphone and shaky hands 2 minutes after the accident

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:31 pm

Man that really sucks. Glad that you're ok though. If it's only the 2 doors and rocker panel, I would doubt its going to be a total. I would think if the frame was bent or something, then maybe you'd have that option. I'm not an insurance adjuster or anything either, so take it for what its worth. Smart idea of getting pics of the accident though.

later,mike

KJKev · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:45 pm

It doesn't look that bad.
They will probably just replace the door skins unless the frames are bent so bad they can't be repaired.
Rocker panel replacement. Easy as a few cuts and a few welds.
No problem matching paint these days either.

What you need to look for is the kind of parts they will be using.
Will they be Mopar/Jeep replacement parts or some cheap imitation.

Depending on the insurance you have you need to get with your insurance company and find out before the work starts.

Don't let them tell you that aftermarket replacement parts are just as good as OEM. They are not....PERIOD.

KJKev

PaU-MWolverine · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:49 pm

I agree with the previous post. I don't think an adjuster will "total" your rig. Christmas eve 2005, I got crushed by an XJ on my passenger side front - fender, bumper, grill, lights, hood, etc. - by some @$$hole who was "alley hopping" and not looking. The estimate & final tab to her insurance company was almost $8000. I was surprised that they didn't total my KJ then. Obviously, just my opinion...

By the way, I'm happy to see that you're OK! That whole situation stinks - good luck!

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:30 pm

KJKev wrote:

It doesn't look that bad.
They will probably just replace the door skins unless the frames are bent so bad they can't be repaired.
Rocker panel replacement. Easy as a few cuts and a few welds.
No problem matching paint these days either.

What you need to look for is the kind of parts they will be using.
Will they be Mopar/Jeep replacement parts or some cheap imitation.

Depending on the insurance you have you need to get with your insurance company and find out before the work starts.

Don't let them tell you that aftermarket replacement parts are just as good as OEM. They are not....PERIOD.

KJKev

I have not come across aftermarket body parts for door skins and rocker panels, those are speciality enough items that no one bothers to copy them.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:50 pm

If your estimates for repair are more than 75% of the book value.... then you are probrably screwed. They might total it

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:02 pm

That's nowhere near being totalled.$6200 is way to much to,but who cares your not paying to fix it,the other persons insurance is.Looks to be $3500 max even with new doors.

501 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:59 pm

I took a hit like that in my 2000 Amigo from a GMC Yukon:

Make sure the beam (not sure if that's the right name) that the door hinges attach to and where the door locks to are not bent. Both sides, front and rear of the Amigo's were creased and they couldn't fix them in my case along with the frame, so they totaled mine.

Insurance companies use http://www.nada.com for the value of your vehicle not Kelly Bluebook. For mine NADA valued it $2000 less than KBB.

Also, if they total it, I hope you have GAP insurance. GAP insurance covers what NADA say's you vehicle is worth and what you owe on it. So even though I had, what they call, full coverage, the insurance company would only pay what NADA said it was worth. Which in my case was $3500. Full coverage does not usually include GAP.

So while I've been making the payments for my Libby, I've been payng off the Amigo I no longer have too!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:50 pm

It looks like a low hit on your KJ so you should be OK. Make sure you body shop puts it on a alingment machine to check all 4 tires just to be sure it's still square. Look at it this way: At least your KJ will be getting pampered pretty soon.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:58 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

That's nowhere near being totalled.$6200 is way to much to,but who cares your not paying to fix it,the other persons insurance is.Looks to be $3500 max even with new doors.

agreed, though who knows how the body shop wrote it up.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:28 pm

Don't they just look at the Blue Book value of the vehicle and subtract just enough that the insurance company won't total it?

chefdab · **Posted:** Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:33 pm

I had a little fender bender in my KJ a few years ago and the largest part of the nearly $7k repair bill was for repainting, pinstriping and new badges. They repainted more than just the replaced parts to make sure everything would "blend" better (make it less obvious that it had been repainted). But the insurance still picked up the tab.

Now this is the kind of damage you need to do to have it totalled out.

Glad to hear everyone's ok though.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:58 am

You can never be sure form one accident repair from the next. The best advise I can offer is shop around since your the victum you need not settle for what some desk Jockey decides your pride and joy is worth get at least 3 estimates. Don't accept there decission it's you ride and you are the victom so don't settle for second best. Look to see which body shop in the area has the best track record as to repairs and fit and finish. It some pencil neck insurance geek say what 's the bitg deal it's just a Jeep. Demand he puts that in writing, You could end up with a brand new ride and your childrens education paid for.
Just don't settle for there decission your Jeep was good before Grandma or Grandpa ran into you so nice guys finish last dont be a victom. :shock:

Best of LUCK.

Got hit and it aint pretty

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