Need Advice - 13 ZL1 Rear Ended with Frame Damage

[51Fistpump]

SO - I was rear ended last week - I have a Black 13 Z with only 8K miles on it. It was in perfect shape, i bought it new in march of 13, and I rarely drive it (plus i'm deployed half the time so it sits patiently, waiting for me to return). Only mods are a Roto-Fab CAI.

I was rear ended last week - I was at a complete stop, (20 Y/O girl + cellphone + Jeep Grand Cherokee + 40 MPH) = a bad time. The car has an estimated 17K worth of damage, including the two rear rails and frame. They are going to have to cut out the floor and pretty much hack up the entire rear end to rebuild it, including an all new exhaust from the headers back.

Here's where I need the advice. My insurance agency (USAA) will not total this thing, even though it has frame damage. (The pictures make it look better then it is underneath). I know that car-fax is going to get a hold of it, and it will kill the value. My Chevy dealer already said good luck - no dealer will ever take it on a trade in once it's fixed - even had a guy refer me to Carmax and try to dump it on them before the damage hits the car-fax. I thought that was a little unethical, but i'm a meat eating crusader driving a not so green-friendly car in a sea of southern California Prius's, so I probably shouldn't judge.

What do I do? Mechanically, the car is fine, and it drive's mostly straight (it will need an alignment with the repairs) I owe 46K on the car, (spare me the lecture, I got a low interest long term loan for the thing that I probably shouldn't have, but that's a moot point now) and I know i'm under water on the loan with the thing in perfect shape. Should I try to pocket the 17K, pay down the loan to 29K and not get it repaired and try to part it out or salvage it?

Or get it fixed and have a dirty car fax with frame damage?

[Whos_Drivin]

Ouch! Sorry to see that!

Have you looked into filing a diminished value claim in addition to the repairs?

[1ZL4FUN]

I think if it were me I would find the best body shop and have them fix it. The insurance is obligated to get it restored to perfect condition as it was before the accident. Make sure you hold them to it.

[toddsZL1]

Find a good shop that has a compression spot welder so they can reproduce factory looking welds or you could try 74auto.com they buy cars like this ? might be an option? Your car is also a unibody structure there is no frame. Good luck if you have any questions pm me I own a collision repair shop i'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

[DrkPhx]

Sorry to see that happened. Are you hurt? Sometimes neck and back injuries have a delayed effect when you're in rear end collision.

You're in a tough spot. If you were rear ended the other driver's insurance should pay for the damage. I hate to say it, but you may want to consider an attorney if you're not a fault. This is a time they can help if you don't get fair resolution through either insurance company.

In my experience there is not a good chance of getting a car with frame damage repaired to new condition including fit and finish of affected panels/parts to OEM standards. I would get different body shop opinions and keep pushing back on the insurance company. Theirs is a typical first respond, so don't cave in if you feel the damage is too great. Lastly, if they do total it, be prepared to fight them on the replacement value if it doesn't cover your loan amount. It really comes down to what works best for your situation.

[z28lt1]

Sorry to hear about this. Depending upon what state you are in, explore a Diminished Value claim. You usually need to fight the at-fault insurance company for this, but in your case it should be easily winnable, and a significant amount.

[olblue75]

Originally Posted by toddsZL1

Find a good shop that has a compression spot welder so they can reproduce factory looking welds or you could try 74auto.com they buy cars like this ? might be an option? Your car is also a unibody structure there is no frame. Good luck if you have any questions pm me I own a collision repair shop i'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

Not to try an correct you but the front and rear both have sub-"frames" they are easily removed and replaced at least the rear is compared to the front. I actually happen to have a rear sub-frame in my shed. As far as getting a lawyer good luck with that shes 20 what does she have unless under mommy and daddy's insurance....

An sorry about your luck brother at least she has insurance I can nailed 6 months after I bought my SS by a soldier with no insurance here on Ft Campbell..

[TOO.BAD]

This makes me sick. I feel so bad for you!!!!!

[nighttowl]

I would get all the insurance company would pay and go after a diminished value claim. between the 2, they might total it out, but I wouldn't count on it.
if not a total, pay every last dime of it into the loan, and sell it quickly while the miles are low; or drive it until the wheels fall off.

[wickedpsi]

did the other partys insurance company accept liability? if so, go through them and see if they will total it.

[1ZL4FUN]

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

Sorry to see that happened. Are you hurt? Sometimes neck and back injuries have a delayed effect when you're in rear end collision.

Very good point. I got rear ended while waiting for a stop light many years ago and it din't hurt much until the day after. Whiplash can be painful and you can get compensated for pain and suffering. You don't really need a lawyer either but it depends on the situation. You definitely need someone with experience to represent you though. You can get more compensation if you miss many days of work. Make sure you go to a doctor and get evaluated and keep track of mileage and expenses due to this incident. Loss of use compensation can be claimed also.

[elsololobo02]

A similiar situation happened to me as well. 15 year old permit holder driving while texting hit me at a stop light at about 35 MPH. The kid was driving his parents BMW X-7. Your Damage is not really all that bad, looks mainly cosmetic. My rear passenger side was completely crushed into the wheel well and exhaust wrapped around the tire. No frame damage either. The only way to tell is to get it up and test the frame to see if it out of spec.

I have USAA and tried to use the drivers insurance (Wawanessa) and they were not helpful so I decided to go through USAA to claim. Within 10 minutes we lined up a repair shop, rental with pick-up and a tow. USAA then invoiced Wawanessa once all repairs were complete. It was in the shop for 6 weeks and I got to choose who did the repairs (had four shops to choose from and picked the highest rated). Also, USAA warranties the repair work for as long as you own the car so if your not happy with the repair job you can take it back or to another shop. The shop also had to use all GM parts. The driver who hit me was found at fault and cited and USAA waived my deductable. You also have up to two years to claim injury if any were sustained per California Law.

I would get it repaired as it doesn't "appear" to be enough damage to total out. My car was repaired and looks just like new. Very happy with the service USAA provided.

[Jeb114]

That's not a bad fix. frame damage in that area is minimal . The Insurance company guaranties the repairs. That's mostly replaced parts not much body work. A good shop will make that like new.

[Shark72]

Glad you are ok, the car can be fixed, sold or whatever.