Posted on gm-truck.com's forums yesterday but want to continue to get opinions from others who have been in these situations or have experience in the insurance land.

I got rear ended yesterday in my 08 gmc sierra crew cab 1500 and with having the hitch on the frame got bent pretty bad, almost to the point the hitch was dragging on the ground.

From what I've been told/read that they might be able to fix it but I know the metal's integrity will never be the same and that the value of having that on the trucks history will kill me and I will have to try and fight for Diminished Value. At this point I would just want the truck total'd. Just trying to gain as much information/knowledge before I speak to the driver's at fault insurance agency. Thanks

Justin

 

I dont see this as being a totalled truck. Most truck manufacturers have taken this kind of accident into account...........DO NOT have the frame straightened.....have it replaced....some body shops will cut and reweld the frame Most truck manufacturers have taken this kind of accident into account and have a bolt on "tail" section of the frame ( about the last 2 ft of frame) for just this type of accident........on a side note that looks like a Missouri plate on your truck and I know in Missouri you can have a roll pan with a hitch which would eliminate the "need" for a really stiff frame section there

 

I thought those were Florida plates...

I'd have to agree with Chris on this one... Just out of curiosity, what hit you?

 

I think it would be a waste to have this truck totalled. I agree to just try and have the frame and bumper replaced.

it does look like a florida plate...with that big orange circle in the middle of it.

Is that the car that hit you? The one that you can see in the reflection on your tailgate?

 

the price of vechiles now adays is so low i wouldn't be surprised if ur insurance company just writes it off. i work at body shop and half the vechiles come in not that bad (mostly newer vechiles) but the insurance company does want to pay and they just wirte them off. but if they dont right it off i would just get it straighten it will be fine and then put on a new trailer hitch etc

 

New frame for sure, kink vs. bend rule. If its kinked, replace it. Shouldn't be totaled though.

 

I am going toa sk for a new frame and won't accept anything else except for a total. If they do put a new frame on it they will have to give me a warranty on it and then I have to go the course of getting my diminished value, which I am entitled to since I was not the at fault party. USAA has been great though, its at the shop now and I am meeting with them on Monday to assess the damage and hopefully find out either way. If I have to rent anything for an extended period of time it gets costly with the insurance being $20.00/day to just cover if something were to happen again.

Sadly, this was a hyundai sante fe that hit me. I think she was going around 35, she says 25 but I don't think so.

 

25mph????????? Not even close......I would say a min of 35 mph.

 

Also, if you mean your paying to have extra insurance on the rental, its a waste of money. You are covered with your own insurance if anything were to happen. The extra insurance is what the rental people push so they can make commission.