I have an 03 Lightning with 62,000 miles that is completely stock except for Bassani exhaust and cold air intake. I was in a wreck that damaged the front fenders, bumber, driver door, bottom of cab by the driver door in between the bed and all the rims and tires will need to be replaced. The question is should i hope for it to be totaled or is there some way I can make this work in my favor. The kicker is I was about to sell it (its paid off and had no other prior wrecks). Im hoping you guys might have some info that can cheer me up.

 

I doubt that totals it. let a body shop give you an estimate and find out

 

lets see some pic and an estimate...

 

working in the towing industry by what you say and given the year and all that i doubt you have over 14k of damage so it sounds like its fixable did you have full coverage on it if so have your insurance adjuster take a look at it hell tell you if its totaled

 

I'm betting totaled. My other half worked for a body shop as the office manager. The reasons I say totaled are: the damage you mentioned to the cab area - depending where and how bad its pushed in are a factor e.g. if they have to remove the interior to repair it, you mentioned all 4 rims would need replaced - since its been 7 years since the last lightning rolled off the assembly line could make them hard to get if they are dis-continued, you didn't mention if the frame rails behind the bumper are bad - if they are that is more $$ to repair, did the coolers get damaged, was the radiator damaged, was the condenser damaged, was the rad support damaged, the inner fender liners, headlights, grills? All of these components add up and insurance companies vary, if you have damage up to 65% of vehicle worth - its totaled. What mileage did you have, did the air bags deploy?

 

If they total it, ask for a buy back price. When they're totaled the vehicle is sold for salvage. Being that there is header damage, the engine is marked under collision damage, so you may get a deal if there's no internal damage. Your insurance guy will have to share info with you in order for you to buy back.