Crash repair and insurance experience

[pcf_mark]

Last night I had an accident with my '68 Bronco after 15+ years of ownership. Everyone is ok and I was not at fault. Front frame ear tore where the bumper was attached and it may be slightly tweaked but it seemed drive straight. Fender and grill pretty much gone and corner of hood damaged.

The insurance company has not given me any numbers or seen the vehicle but when I called they sounded pessimistic. I do nto have agreed value or collector car insurance it is just another vehicle on my policy.

Option 1: withdraw claim I keep truck, get no funds to fix it. $0
Option 2: they total it because it an old car with no residual value and I get $0. I can buy it back for salvage value but it would be a reconstructed title.
Option 3: they may decide it has some value based on market tools and offer to pay up to some % of market value - salvage value. If they think it is worth $20k and salvage is $5k they will pay up to 70% of $15k to repair it but once it exceeds that total it.

Anyone have any experience with insurance in a situation like this? My goal is to get fair repair money and do the work myself (pay someone to pull frame if needed) but no reason I should get hosed by my insurance company.

Thanks
Mark

If you have any of the sheet metal list or a tail gate I am in the market!

 

[U13FL735]

Hey Mark,
Sorry about your trouble, but, if you were not at fault it should go under the others policy...hopefully they are insured, as they should be. Not necessary to use your coverage if things are right on their end. Be patient...it will take longer than you want to settle things. Their company may not have a lot of experience estimating repairs on 60 year old Broncos. Having a part and price list for your repairs ready will probably help. They may take the easier road and call it "totaled". I think most states will not brand a title on a 60 year old vehicle...something to look into...your truck has value, especially to you...collect all you can...do some research on values of similar trucks to yours, to help prove your case. Good luck, and keep us informed

 

[Jakedog]

Can you post some photos? From your description it doesn't sound too messed up.

 

[pcf_mark]

I need to renew to post photos...it is not that bad really. Looks rough. I did some measurements last night and the front frame is bent upward about 3/8 but I do not think that is a huge deal to repair.

The latest is since they are not paying storage fees (it is in my garage) we can go the slow process and I can submit a claim using the digital app to get an estimate for repair. If this amount exceeds what they calculate then I am out of luck. If it was not for pulling the frame I would estimate this to be around $5k repair.

 

[73azbronco]

you would think a collector vehicle would book hi, they don't unless you use a specialty insurer like I do, Hagerty, agreed upon value, with restrictions that make it barely usable. USAA coverage was at most, pay me the purchase price back in 1973, maybe $4,000.

If party B, they pay.
If party A, you collect from your policy.

True, I refused to involve my insurer when I was tboned in 2015, I went through other insurer, but it took 4 months, because other owner refused to provide anything, like written statements.

 

[Remos69]

There is something wrong with your explanation.

You claim it was “not your fault.” Ok, WHOSE fault was it? Because that’s who is going to pay for your damages.

Why are you even talking to your insurance company, if it’s not your fault?

Furthermore, a 1968 Bronco in driver condition will book out for WAY more than $5k. So if you have comp and collision on your own policy…your insurance will cover you up to the limits of your policy, which is typically low blue book. The only question is how much deductible do you carry?

Again, you’re being “made whole” by someone paying for your damages depends totally on which was liable.

So please start there.
The answer is either, Party B was liable. Or you were liable.

If party B, they pay.
If party A, you collect from your policy.

Depends on your state and the coverage of the other party. Florida is no fault state meaning your insurance company may handle your claim and then go after the other person's insurance until it's maxed out, then try to collect from the other person's assets.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I know Michigan has a no-fault insurance as well.

We don't have the full details. I will assume this is someone else's fault and there is a paper trail that shows this? One option would be to lawyer up and sue that person. There insurance is there to protect them from law suits, up to the limits of the policy. Not the first line to take since the lawyer will want a healthy cut of the payout. But an option before caving in to a nothing result.

I would avoid the total loss claim as much as possible. That is a mark that can't be removed from a title and will affect any future insurance policy as well as resell value.

 

[Remos69]

In Florida, your insurance will cover the excess property damage if the driver only has liability or insufficient coverage. They will then go after the at fault driver for the remainder. The same goes for liability for insufficient (under insured).

 

[pcf_mark]

Additional info - the other party has the same insurance as I do and they have accepted that it was the other driver's fault. I provided my pictures, links to parts suppliers and rough list of what is damaged. I'll give them a week or so.

I can see a reference to JamesRoney above as part fo Remos69 response but his comment is gone I am unable to reply. I'm definitely not at fault.

Just hoping to get parts and material to repair this and drive it another 15 years!

 

[ba123]

Yeah, I don't think anyone is going to claim that the value of your vehicle is $5k if you were actually driving it!

I don't think KBB does old car values but here is Hagerty showing $44k-54k

https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/ford/bronco/1968/1968-ford-bronco-base?id=aCn1I000000D4iVSAS

You could also look at BAT sold listings and find something that looks similar to yours.

Push hard but in my experience, most of the time you are able to use your own insurance company if easier and let them go after the at fault company. The temporary loss is your deductible, which you would have to pay (or receive less payment) and then you would receive that money once they are able to collect from the at fault company.

I actually did this myself when rear ended by a taxi in San Francisco and did not want to deal with the complete idiot or the way they insure taxis. It took 6 months to receive my deductible back but well worth the ease of dealing with my own company. but, this is different and I recommend using whichever works best for you, just ask them the right questions (valuation related).

 

[Grey owl]

You can use recent sales of similar shape vehicles to establish value, bills and reciepts, an appraisal will also help.

The negligent parties insurance is only responsible for the actual cash value, you need to produce as much evidence as possible to establish that value.