2001 ES300 Bent Frame
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: AZ
2001 ES300 Bent Frame
A Ford pickup truck hit me from the rear and damaged the rear bumper, a dent in the trunk lid, bent the frame, small buckle in the floorboard and driver's side quarter panel. The damage does not look bad at first glance, but the frame damage concerns me.
The insurance adjuster said that they could straighten the frame. The total damage from the claims adjuster is $2K. I'm taking it to a couple of body shops in the morning to get an estimate.
The car is worth about $8K. I believe that it has uni-body construction. Is there such a thing as a small amount of frame damage that can be straightened? Or if the frame is bent in the least, should I insist that it be totaled out?
The insurance adjuster said that they could straighten the frame. The total damage from the claims adjuster is $2K. I'm taking it to a couple of body shops in the morning to get an estimate.
The car is worth about $8K. I believe that it has uni-body construction. Is there such a thing as a small amount of frame damage that can be straightened? Or if the frame is bent in the least, should I insist that it be totaled out?
Last edited by coulter_m; Sep 30, 2009 at 08:41 PM. Reason: Adding pictures
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
All depends on how strong the impact was. Since it was from the rear that's not too bad. Since it didn't cause any engine damage. It did bend the frame which can be repaired. There are frame machines that can bring the frame back to the exact same degree to where it was before. Most ppl say the vehicle will never be the same, which is true to some extent.
It all depends on you, if you like the car you can have it fixed and drive it, should be fine. If you really do not like the idea of driving a frame damaged car, push by having different body shops (high end ones) give you some estimates. Any pics would help.
Goodluck!
It all depends on you, if you like the car you can have it fixed and drive it, should be fine. If you really do not like the idea of driving a frame damaged car, push by having different body shops (high end ones) give you some estimates. Any pics would help.
Goodluck!
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: NJ
That doesnt sound to horrible, my car was in a accident almost two weeks ago and its going to cost $3400 its in the shop already and I was lucky to not have any frame damage heres the pic of the damage and it would help to see a picture of yours.
Last edited by Ariyanna; Sep 30, 2009 at 07:50 PM.
A Ford pickup truck hit me from the rear and damaged the rear bumper, a dent in the trunk lid, bent the frame, small buckle in the floorboard and driver's side quarter panel. The damage does not look bad at first glance, but the frame damage concerns me.
The insurance adjuster said that they could straighten the frame. The total damage from the claims adjuster is $2K. I'm taking it to a couple of body shops in the morning to get an estimate.
The car is worth about $8K. I believe that it has uni-body construction. Is there such a thing as a small amount of frame damage that can be straightened? Or if the frame is bent in the least, should I insist that it be totaled out?
The insurance adjuster said that they could straighten the frame. The total damage from the claims adjuster is $2K. I'm taking it to a couple of body shops in the morning to get an estimate.
The car is worth about $8K. I believe that it has uni-body construction. Is there such a thing as a small amount of frame damage that can be straightened? Or if the frame is bent in the least, should I insist that it be totaled out?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: AZ
I uploaded the pictures which are shown in the first posting. The passenger side doesn't appear to be damaged other than the bumper. No damage to teh passenger side quarter panel.
I was really surprised to see a $2K estimate, but that was from the Allstate adjuster. This is the insurance company for the driver that hit me. Until I get to an auto body shop, I won't be sure if this is teh only damage. I'm sure teh ins. adjuster is low-balling the damage too.
I have read that if the damage exceeds 70% of the vehicle value, the car is totaled. It probably varies from ins company to ins. company.
I was really surprised to see a $2K estimate, but that was from the Allstate adjuster. This is the insurance company for the driver that hit me. Until I get to an auto body shop, I won't be sure if this is teh only damage. I'm sure teh ins. adjuster is low-balling the damage too.
I have read that if the damage exceeds 70% of the vehicle value, the car is totaled. It probably varies from ins company to ins. company.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: TX
Wow, that's a pretty healthy buckle to the c-pillar. Looks like whatever hit you didn't hit directly on the rear bumper, more to the left half. That's not going to help with the distribution of force to the rest of the body.
As for "frame damage," these cars have no frames. Unibody means it can only be straightened to a certain degree, and the rest is welding, pulling, bondo, and paint. As far as how it looks, it should look decent when you get it back from the body shop. A few years from the repair and the quality of the materials and labor at the body shop begin to show their true color.
As has already been stated, get some high-end body shop estimates before you do anything else. Most dealer shops are going to want to cut the back of the car off and put a new body panel pretyt much from the passenger door back. The rear quarter panels are the same panel as the roof as I recall, so it's not easy to do a proper repair job without extreme measures.
I'd like to say i was in a similar boat, but when I got rear-ended in my Camry it probably wasn't at nearly the same speed, and it was a dead-on hit. I got a few paint scratches and a sore neck.
The other driver is at fault, so wring that insurance company for all it's worth.
As for "frame damage," these cars have no frames. Unibody means it can only be straightened to a certain degree, and the rest is welding, pulling, bondo, and paint. As far as how it looks, it should look decent when you get it back from the body shop. A few years from the repair and the quality of the materials and labor at the body shop begin to show their true color.
As has already been stated, get some high-end body shop estimates before you do anything else. Most dealer shops are going to want to cut the back of the car off and put a new body panel pretyt much from the passenger door back. The rear quarter panels are the same panel as the roof as I recall, so it's not easy to do a proper repair job without extreme measures.
I'd like to say i was in a similar boat, but when I got rear-ended in my Camry it probably wasn't at nearly the same speed, and it was a dead-on hit. I got a few paint scratches and a sore neck.
The other driver is at fault, so wring that insurance company for all it's worth.
I uploaded the pictures which are shown in the first posting. The passenger side doesn't appear to be damaged other than the bumper. No damage to teh passenger side quarter panel.
I was really surprised to see a $2K estimate, but that was from the Allstate adjuster. This is the insurance company for the driver that hit me. Until I get to an auto body shop, I won't be sure if this is teh only damage. I'm sure teh ins. adjuster is low-balling the damage too.
I have read that if the damage exceeds 70% of the vehicle value, the car is totaled. It probably varies from ins company to ins. company.
I was really surprised to see a $2K estimate, but that was from the Allstate adjuster. This is the insurance company for the driver that hit me. Until I get to an auto body shop, I won't be sure if this is teh only damage. I'm sure teh ins. adjuster is low-balling the damage too.
I have read that if the damage exceeds 70% of the vehicle value, the car is totaled. It probably varies from ins company to ins. company.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: AZ
I was stopped at a light when a late model Ford F-150 hit the rear of the car. The Ford had slowed down considerably (5-7mph). There was no car in front of me so no damage in the front.
Last edited by coulter_m; Sep 30, 2009 at 09:29 PM. Reason: typo
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Its not that bad...
I have seen cars mangled beyond belief and they were straightened and passed safety requirements no problem.
It won't be that much work to get it all pretty again!
Of course your car value is going to be non-existent after this, FYI ... It will bear a salvage title...
But if you do not care [like myself] and love the car that much to drive it, go for it!
My car is a salvage car, but i can care less!
You realize the 'bumper' you are referring to is simply a 'cover' right? As in 'bumper cover'. A real bumper is a large metal bar that is attached to the ends of the frame. So the truck pushed the plastic until it hit the bumper henceforth crumpling the quarter & c-pillar.
Tn this incident the airbag would not go off, airbags go off at certain speeds during an impact.
I have seen cars mangled beyond belief and they were straightened and passed safety requirements no problem.
It won't be that much work to get it all pretty again!
Of course your car value is going to be non-existent after this, FYI ... It will bear a salvage title...
But if you do not care [like myself] and love the car that much to drive it, go for it!
My car is a salvage car, but i can care less!
Tn this incident the airbag would not go off, airbags go off at certain speeds during an impact.
Its not that bad...
I have seen cars mangled beyond belief and they were straightened and passed safety requirements no problem.
It won't be that much work to get it all pretty again!
Of course your car value is going to be non-existent after this, FYI ... It will bear a salvage title...
But if you do not care [like myself] and love the car that much to drive it, go for it!
My car is a salvage car, but i can care less!
You realize the 'bumper' you are referring to is simply a 'cover' right? As in 'bumper cover'. A real bumper is a large metal bar that is attached to the ends of the frame. So the truck pushed the plastic until it hit the bumper henceforth crumpling the quarter & c-pillar.
Tn this incident the airbag would not go off, airbags go off at certain speeds during an impact.
I have seen cars mangled beyond belief and they were straightened and passed safety requirements no problem.
It won't be that much work to get it all pretty again!
Of course your car value is going to be non-existent after this, FYI ... It will bear a salvage title...
But if you do not care [like myself] and love the car that much to drive it, go for it!
My car is a salvage car, but i can care less!
You realize the 'bumper' you are referring to is simply a 'cover' right? As in 'bumper cover'. A real bumper is a large metal bar that is attached to the ends of the frame. So the truck pushed the plastic until it hit the bumper henceforth crumpling the quarter & c-pillar.
Tn this incident the airbag would not go off, airbags go off at certain speeds during an impact.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 11
From: MA
insurance companies work only with approved (by them) bodyshops. you dont have a liberty to take your car anywhere you like. if the place has relatively high repair costs insurance company wont work with them. in order to maximize profits they need to repair for cheap. simple.
the repair cost certainly will be higher than 2K. this is just how estimates work. the bodyshop will bill your insurance company for the additional amount.
EDIT: i realize that regulations are different in your state. this is f..d up...
the repair cost certainly will be higher than 2K. this is just how estimates work. the bodyshop will bill your insurance company for the additional amount.
EDIT: i realize that regulations are different in your state. this is f..d up...
All depends on how strong the impact was. Since it was from the rear that's not too bad. Since it didn't cause any engine damage. It did bend the frame which can be repaired. There are frame machines that can bring the frame back to the exact same degree to where it was before. Most ppl say the vehicle will never be the same, which is true to some extent.
It all depends on you, if you like the car you can have it fixed and drive it, should be fine. If you really do not like the idea of driving a frame damaged car, push by having different body shops (high end ones) give you some estimates. Any pics would help.
Goodluck!
It all depends on you, if you like the car you can have it fixed and drive it, should be fine. If you really do not like the idea of driving a frame damaged car, push by having different body shops (high end ones) give you some estimates. Any pics would help.
Goodluck!
Last edited by rlx101; Oct 2, 2009 at 05:25 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: TX
Well that's different. When I got rear-ended nobody even looked at my car. They told me to take it to a couple body shops and get an estimate for the repainting of both bumper covers. I did. They chose in between the two estimates and cut me a check. I used that money to buy a motorcycle. But i like my cage better for commuting.
But i like my cage better for commuting.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 11
From: MA
here insurance company sends an appraiser to see your car. then they give you a list of shops you can go to. from there the shop handles all paperwork, you just pay the deductible .. if you got one.
this is "liberty mutual" insurance..
this is "liberty mutual" insurance..
Well that's different. When I got rear-ended nobody even looked at my car. They told me to take it to a couple body shops and get an estimate for the repainting of both bumper covers. I did. They chose in between the two estimates and cut me a check. I used that money to buy a motorcycle. But i like my cage better for commuting.
But i like my cage better for commuting.
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I doubt $2000 would replace the bumper assembly, the trunk and cover paint work, let alone straightening, etc. What does YOUR insurance company say?
You need to get an itemized estimate showing the shop will straighten the floor pan(not simply hammer out the crease). Also, bear in mind that shops often submit 'supplementals', for 'hidden' damage, so that $2K may inflate to significantly more than that once the car is taken apart.
Your best bet is to get an estimate from a neutral shop or two. Maybe tell them it was a hit and run, you're paying out of pocket, but want the car fixed correctly. Some charge for this, but credit you if the car is repaired there.
Additionally, you should check your state's regulations regarding your rights to have the car repaired at the facility of your choice.
Good luck.
You need to get an itemized estimate showing the shop will straighten the floor pan(not simply hammer out the crease). Also, bear in mind that shops often submit 'supplementals', for 'hidden' damage, so that $2K may inflate to significantly more than that once the car is taken apart.
Your best bet is to get an estimate from a neutral shop or two. Maybe tell them it was a hit and run, you're paying out of pocket, but want the car fixed correctly. Some charge for this, but credit you if the car is repaired there.
Additionally, you should check your state's regulations regarding your rights to have the car repaired at the facility of your choice.
Good luck.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: GA
If the car is not totaled out, it will not bear a salvage title. Only cars that have been declared totaled, then purchased afterwards will bear a salvage title. It will show on a Carfax report that it was in an accident and that could effect your value later.
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