Ever the optimist, eh? Know right up front that their first job is to lowball you. It is in their job description. Their job is to convince you to take the lowest amount possible and walk away. No one has ever said, you know, they gave me a lot more than it was worth and I think I need to give some back.
If there ever was a true post , this is it.
First of all, insurance companies are historically some of America's strongest companies financially -because they get paid up front , and basically exist to collect money , then redistribute as little as possible.
Remember the crash of 2008? Banks failed , things went to crap , but most insurance companies sailed through . A few bit it , and that is a testimony to the severity of that economic downturn.
It is very , very rare that an insurance company fails .
Now, to your situation - unless it's got frame damage we can't see or extremely high mileage , it likely isn't totaled .
The adjusters job is to protect the company from losses, and theoretically, keep the customer in the process..if it's your insurance company .
If it's theirs , the first thing they attempt is to get you or a witness to admit you were at fault and avoid liability altogether, then when that doesn't work , to try to fix your Jeep for as little as possible , not as well as possible.
Your best bet may be take the check , buy flat fenders , a nice front bumper , align the front end and then send the rest of the money to the TJ Forum, attention me , and I will make you a "private supporting member" , and upgrade your forum status to level 4FF.(flat fender).
I 'll also post nice pics of my TJ and what I upgraded on it with the money.
