I believe I totaled my truck yesteday. Good news is that it was my 93 Ranger instead of my 04. I kept it for driving to and from work. To make a long story short, I T-Boned (her fault) some idiot woman who had no DL and no Insurance.

So I'm thinking after the wreck, that isn't it just perfect that after I got my 04 I dropped full coverage on the 93 Ranger. Well, I call my Insurance Agent who tells me that for some reason when we changed coverage, somehow the coverage on the Ranger did not get switched. So, I actually have full coverage.

So now I am in the process of seeing how much they are going to give me for my truck. The problem is that it is a 93 with about 150K miles. The truck was in perfect condition and would have lasted many more years. So I would like to keep it and fix it. Damaged is mostly limited to front end body work but will likely exceed the value of the truck. I guess I will have to take the woman to court for the $500 deductable, but my question, I guess, is how do I get the most for my truck from the Insurance Co. I'm not looking to profit from this, I only want my truck back the way it was without it costing me any money.

Scott

 

I think they are supposed to give you the retail value of your truck. Which is what it would cost you to buy that truck.

It also includes tax, title and license.

You might get that number before telling them you want to keep the truck. I do not know how much they would deduct due to you keeping the vehicle.

 

I would recommend that you go into:

www.kbb.com
www.nada.com
www.edmunds.com

and print out a copy of Suggested Retail Value on your vehicle.
Make sure that you do NOT use Private Party Value. Then tell your insurance company that if you were to go purchase one like yours, this is what you would have to pay for replacement. Give them two or all three of the printouts and then ask them for average between the three.

Or just pick highest value and ask for that amount. They work for you, remember that. You are the Customer.

 

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your accident.

The insurance company will pay you "fair market value". I am not certain if they pay sales tax, etc-I am in Georgia so it may differ.

If you did a pretty good job of keeping your vehicle up, ask for more than what you are getting offered. They will come up a few bucks, but not a lot.

Sounds like your luck is better than a friend of mines. He totaled his 02 audi a6. Hit an elderly couple and totalled their vehicle-new impala. He had recently moved and did not get a statement so he had NO insurance. Since he owned the vehicle-out $35k plus the 15k for their impala. Fortunately he has the $$'s to handle that.

So be thankful and head down to the Ford lot and pick out a new 150.

Good luck!

 

I'd make sure it is cleaned before the insurance guy shows up, I got more money out of my car that way!

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I knew someone would have some good info for me. YELLOWFX4SCREW, the suggestion to get the Suggested Retail Value was great. I never would have thought of it. It was also considerably higher than private party value. So now I have a little more info to bargain with.

Still up for any other suggestions that anyone else has.

Scott