Tips for getting the most money from your insurance after an accident

[AndyG]

Don't touch it. Leave it as-is. If you start messing with it and they find out, maybe they do a little internet forum searching, now they have grounds to deny everything since it has been tampered with.

Edit; I'm adding to my first comment that you need to document everything pictures, receipts, communications etc. and keep that for a while after your done. The pictures will be helpful later when trying to sell the vehicles should you keep and fix it.

He is correct hear as well- don’t start stripping it immediately … can sink your boat

But have a plan

 

[WWII Jeeper]

finally got my dream jeep exactly how i wanted it and it now looks like its going to be totaled due to the front axle and frame being bent.

it was a 2004 LJ with 55k original miles and a clean title with no previous accidents. I've never had to go through this with an older car so i would really appreciate any tips from you knowledgeable folks on here before i call the insurance and get offered 2k for an LJ that go for over 15k.

thank you all in advance.
View attachment 664645View attachment 664646View attachment 664648View attachment 664649

Great advice from everyone. In my experience a few years ago, I had my wrecked TJ in my garage. The insurance company refused to send the adjuster to my home for the estimate. They said they would tow it to their "Estimate Yard". A little checking showed it was a basic open tow yard, so I refused. (once it's at the yard, they have control of it)
The ins co was offended that I suggested things would be stolen from my Jeep.....well, a nice, but wrecked Jeep out in the open in Colorado winter, what the hell did they think would happen.......no bitterness though
It was a battle, and in the end, the comps in the Denver area kept it from being totaled.

Wish you well on your event
Ray

 

[Zorba]

Last time I went through this, I had to settle for 50 cents on the dollar of the repair cost, but they didn't "total" it. If I had it to do again, I now have a non-injury accident law firm bookmarked...

 

[hosejockey61]

Sounds like everyone is giving you sound advice. With that being said, that is the cleanest frame I have ever seen on a Jeep. The only other one that comes close would be @sunnysideup_lj .

What makes you think the frame is bent though? The brackets shearing off are no problem. Make sure the axle isn't bent and weld new ones on. Nice looking LJ!

 

[SuspectLJ]

just want to say if i have read every single response and i really appreciate all the advice that was given. the control arm brackets and front axle are definitely damaged and body mounts are slighly tweaked forward.

Sounds like everyone is giving you sound advice. With that being said, that is the cleanest frame I have ever seen on a Jeep. The only other one that comes close would be @sunnysideup_lj .

What makes you think the frame is bent though? The brackets shearing off are no problem. Make sure the axle isn't bent and weld new ones on. Nice looking LJ!

i initially thought the frame was bent from this dent i have on both sides in the exact same spot.
my jeep:

but i found this picture of an LJJ frame online and it appears to have the same indentation

i was very upset yesterday and wasn't thinking very clearly, can anyone confirm if they have this indentation on their frame?

big fan of your videos btw.

 

[SuspectLJ]

Great advice from everyone. In my experience a few years ago, I had my wrecked TJ in my garage. The insurance company refused to send the adjuster to my home for the estimate. They said they would tow it to their "Estimate Yard". A little checking showed it was a basic open tow yard, so I refused. (once it's at the yard, they have control of it)
The ins co was offended that I suggested things would be stolen from my Jeep.....well, a nice, but wrecked Jeep out in the open in Colorado winter, what the hell did they think would happen.......no bitterness though
It was a battle, and in the end, the comps in the Denver area kept it from being totaled.

Wish you well on your event
Ray

i have one coming in a few days, after i read your comment it took me about 15 mins of arguing to get them to agree to send one to my home. thanks for replying

 

[k1n3k]

just want to say if i have read every single response and i really appreciate all the advice that was given. the control arm brackets and front axle are definitely damaged and body mounts are slighly tweaked forward.


i initially thought the frame was bent from this dent i have on both sides in the exact same spot.
my jeep:
View attachment 664906
but i found this picture of an LJJ frame online and it appears to have the same indentation

View attachment 664908
i was very upset yesterday and wasn't thinking very clearly, can anyone confirm if they have this indentation on their frame?

big fan of your videos btw.

I don't have an LJ to verify against exactly, but that is where the frame rails begin to kick out and widen as it moves toward the rear. Its an artifact of the factory bending process. It will also be a weaker spot in the frame where it would be more likely to be bent in an accident. It needs to be measured to verify.

What IS concerning to me is that body mount bolt is not straight anymore....

 

[explorerlyon]

Hire an auto appraiser. Cost you about $500. A few years ago I was going the rounds with insurance on my totaled Acura. I paid an appraiser. They wrote an appraisal report and worked with the insurance agent. They also have access to actual sales data, not just listings. I got $1,500 more from insurance after that.

 

[SuspectLJ]

I don't have an LJ to verify against exactly, but that is where the frame rails begin to kick out and widen as it moves toward the rear. Its an artifact of the factory bending process. It will also be a weaker spot in the frame where it would be more likely to be bent in an accident. It needs to be measured to verify.

What IS concerning to me is that body mount bolt is not straight anymore....

View attachment 665254

just a quick update for everyone that brings some good news. Frame is NOT bent (thank god) and neither are any of the frame side control arm brackets.
the front axle is bent unfortunately but the insurance cut me a check for 6k so it'll cover the cost of getting that replaced. i did have the owner of a 4x4 shop come by and take a look at the body mount situation i got going on and he didn't seem too worried about it. hopefully it isn't a huge can of worms when they go to fix it.

if anybody has any insight on what could have gone wrong on the body mounts and the best way to go about fixing it please let me know!

thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[Weasellee]

How about more body mount photos. I see the one close up that looks off but the other one in a photo looks straight.

 

[macleanflood]

I'd replace some of them with Barnes 4x4 body lift mounts.

-Mac

 

[cliffish]

just a quick update for everyone that brings some good news. Frame is NOT bent (thank god) and neither are any of the frame side control arm brackets.
the front axle is bent unfortunately but the insurance cut me a check for 6k so it'll cover the cost of getting that replaced. i did have the owner of a 4x4 shop come by and take a look at the body mount situation i got going on and he didn't seem too worried about it. hopefully it isn't a huge can of worms when they go to fix it.

if anybody has any insight on what could have gone wrong on the body mounts and the best way to go about fixing it please let me know!

thanks for all your help everyone.

perfect time to upgrade and gear both axles. $6K will cover a lot of work.