I purchased a YJ Wrangler with swapped aftermarket axles, 40's, beadlocks, flat fenders, custom bumpers, coil overs, frame mods, and everything else that goes with 40's.
Not 24 hours after purchasing it, I had just filled it with gas and of course someone pulls out in front of me causing a collision. His insurance claimed liability and wants to work with me to fix or total my Wrangler. A total loss would not be ideal for any of us with our mods and attachment to our Jeeps/toys.
The collision totaled his car, dented my front bumper, wrinkled my right-front quarter panel, and tweaked my frame. A lot of small stuff too, all of which can be fixed. However, his insurance (Progressive) and their adjuster has already began pushing back on including the value of all the work done to my YJ. initially claiming it's worth $7k...it's got that plus some in axles alone. It's as if all the modifications don't even exist to the insurance company.
So lesson here is really pay attention to what coverage you have on your Jeep(s). make sure to keep both soft copies and hard copies of all receipts that cover parts, labor, and material. Keep your insurance agent up-to-date on anything that you modify. Provide receipts to them and ask that it be covered in case of an accident.
if I had the right coverage, I could make a claim with my insurance, get it fixed, and then my insurance would go after Progressive for the repair cost.
Do not fear them kicking you from coverage, use that as motivation to find the right insurance company with the right coverage for your modifications.
I'll try to keep this thread up to date with the progress of my repair in hopes to help others learn how best to avoid this type of problem in the future.
Accident: 29 Dec 2021
Dropped at the body shop: 1 Feb 2022
Progressive Adjuster shows up: 3 Feb 2022
Initial totaled vehicle offer from Progressive: 9 Feb 2022 (Post #111)
Body shop sent their estimate to Progressive: 18 Feb 2022
Progressive re-evaluated the value with parts list: 18 Feb 2022 (no added value)
*Update* *Update*
Some key takeaways I've found important along the way:
Not 24 hours after purchasing it, I had just filled it with gas and of course someone pulls out in front of me causing a collision. His insurance claimed liability and wants to work with me to fix or total my Wrangler. A total loss would not be ideal for any of us with our mods and attachment to our Jeeps/toys.
The collision totaled his car, dented my front bumper, wrinkled my right-front quarter panel, and tweaked my frame. A lot of small stuff too, all of which can be fixed. However, his insurance (Progressive) and their adjuster has already began pushing back on including the value of all the work done to my YJ. initially claiming it's worth $7k...it's got that plus some in axles alone. It's as if all the modifications don't even exist to the insurance company.
So lesson here is really pay attention to what coverage you have on your Jeep(s). make sure to keep both soft copies and hard copies of all receipts that cover parts, labor, and material. Keep your insurance agent up-to-date on anything that you modify. Provide receipts to them and ask that it be covered in case of an accident.
if I had the right coverage, I could make a claim with my insurance, get it fixed, and then my insurance would go after Progressive for the repair cost.
Do not fear them kicking you from coverage, use that as motivation to find the right insurance company with the right coverage for your modifications.
I'll try to keep this thread up to date with the progress of my repair in hopes to help others learn how best to avoid this type of problem in the future.
Accident: 29 Dec 2021
Dropped at the body shop: 1 Feb 2022
Progressive Adjuster shows up: 3 Feb 2022
Initial totaled vehicle offer from Progressive: 9 Feb 2022 (Post #111)
Body shop sent their estimate to Progressive: 18 Feb 2022
Progressive re-evaluated the value with parts list: 18 Feb 2022 (no added value)
*Update* *Update*
Some key takeaways I've found important along the way:
- Before getting behind the wheel, have a complete list of invoices and/or receipts for all items you add/change on your Wrangler. i.e.; axle housings, shafts, gears, lockers, wheels, tires, coil-overs, brackets, steering parts, rock sliders, power coating, cage build to include material cost, custom bumper material cost, seats, engine swaps, winch, aftermarket hoods, fenders, and whatever else you want covered.
- Provide all receipts and invoices to your insurance provider. Be as transparent as possible with your agent to get either the right coverage or find another agent at another company who can give you the confidence that your parts from the first bullet above will be added/considered in the overall value of your modified Wrangler. Hiding things or being vague will get you no where if a claim is filed and they find out after the fact.
- Consider getting it professionally appraised by a licensed automotive appraiser. (receipts and invoices will help here and are required.)
- Keep your rig clean and don't push maintenance down the calendar. Keep records of maintenance some sort of way you see fit.
- Never let an insurance company tow your rig anywhere but your house/driveway. Once they have it, good luck getting it back to a place you prefer. The less people touching it and seeing it, the better IMO. It certainly will stick out like a sore thumb in a tow yard.
- Keep your insurance agent in the loop if you file a claim with another insurance company (applies to accidents that are not your fault)
- All those receipts/invoices for custom axles, gas tanks, bumpers, etc can be helpful to the body shop/automotive shop who is preparing an estimate for repair. They should be sent to the adjuster representing the insurance company the claim is filled with too.
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