Any actual auto body guys here? I have a question about what is considered totaled.

[BeepBeepRR]

My son got rear ended in my wifes car. It looks superficial from the outside. Bumper cover, cracked tail light and some cracks in the hatch door. I think its aluminum but I might be wrong. The major issue is the structure behind the bumper. One side "the side that wasnt hit" is like 4 inches thick. The driver side is smashed down to nearly 2 inches and raised about the same. The car just turned over 80k miles. Its a 2016 Dodge Journey not top of the line but the 4cyl model. Question is i guess is it possible that the structural damage might cause it to get totalled?

Passenger side inner bumper.

Driver side inner structure.

 

[Rebelrouser]

I had an uncle that was a bodyman and he made his living for many years fixing totals and then selling them. With his help I bought several totals from the insurance auctions over the years for my vehicles and for my kids first cars. First is how do you want to fix the damage? all new OEM parts, aftermarket parts, or good used parts? My uncle used to kind of specialize in a certain type of car and buy up as many as he could, so he always had plenty of cheap parts. From your pictures I don't see an issue fixing this vehicle especially with good used parts. But again, I did all my own work. and I might add never had an issue with fixing a total from safety or performance, saved me plenty for a lot of years.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

If the ins co has totaled your car and you have physical damage they will give you the retail value of that car as it sells in your area.That amount is debatable,,,,,,,,,,
Then they will give you a salvage amount for the car.So the proceed amount minus the salvage value is what you end up with.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I had an uncle that was a bodyman and he made his living for many years fixing totals and then selling them. With his help I bought several totals from the insurance auctions over the years for my vehicles and for my kids first cars. First is how do you want to fix the damage? all new OEM parts, aftermarket parts, or good used parts? My uncle used to kind of specialize in a certain type of car and buy up as many as he could, so he always had plenty of cheap parts. From your pictures I don't see an issue fixing this vehicle especially with good used parts. But again, I did all my own work. and I might add never had an issue with fixing a total from safety or performance, saved me plenty for a lot of years.

I don't have an issue fixing it myself.. I'm just wondering if that is enough damage to total the car out. I've never been in an accident so I don't know the in's and out's of insurance.

 

[WileE]

A "total loss" is an economic term. It simply means the cost of repairs is at a point where it's at the value of the vehicle minus it's salvage value. An older vehicle with superficial damage, such as a bumper, fender and hood may be a "total" since the cost of the repairs exceeds the low retail value of the car. A newer vehicle may have structural damage, including requiring replacement of a sidemember, but it would not be a "total" since the vehicle value is much higher than the cost of repair.

 

[WileE]

On your pix: from what I see, your plastic bumper cover may require replacement, although I've surprised myself in repairing covers that looked worse. Inside, you have a foam absorber which if broken, requires replacement. The metal bumper reinforcement is a bolt-on part,mangled and requires replacement. The rear x-member and side rail are probably high-strength steel but appear repairable. Pix are not clear as an on-sight eyeball evaluation.

 

[eldubb440]

someone needs one of these.....

and one of these.......

 

[BeepBeepRR]

On your pix: from what I see, your plastic bumper cover may require replacement, although I've surprised myself in repairing covers that looked worse. Inside, you have a foam absorber which if broken, requires replacement. The metal bumper reinforcement is a bolt-on part,mangled and requires replacement. The rear x-member and side rail are probably high-strength steel but appear repairable. Pix are not clear as an on-sight eyeball evaluation.

Yea I am still dealing with the insurance company so I didn't want to take it apart yet to see the actual damage. I found a rear bumper reinforcement OE used on ebay for 58 bucks and free shipping. So I see that it is a bolt on part so thats good. From under the car you cant see that it bolts on so I thought it might have been frame damage. But I see what you mean.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

someone needs one of these.....

View attachment 1948299

and one of these.......

View attachment 1948303

It was not a high speed crash. The guy behind my son was looking left and thought my kid took off to the right so he hit the gas to pull up.. Ive been hit like that before a long time ago. But that was a company truck. The guy nor my son were injured.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I have fixed several vehicles in the past 20 years living here. Here is a bashed up Tacoma I repaired.

 

[RemCharger]

someone needs one of these.....

View attachment 1948299

and one of these.......

View attachment 1948303

too true.

 

[Hey-O]

If it's totaled, get your money from the insurance company. Then tell them if it's junk, I'll buy it back for a few bucks and then fix it. There might be damage we can't see, but WileE is right, total loss is an economic term. I have my own way of dealing with insurance companies, especially when it's not my fault. Tell them your lawyer WILL be contacting them if a better deal can't be made. They hate the word lawyer.

I got hit in the rear end once in my pick up truck. It was a sweet young lady, and it was an accident. I wished her no harm as far as restitution. When her insurance company stepped in and started telling me how it was going to be, I told them how it was going to be.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

If it's totaled, get your money from the insurance company. Then tell them if it's junk, I'll buy it back for a few bucks and then fix it. There might be damage we can't see, but WileE is right, total loss is an economic term. I have my own way of dealing with insurance companies, especially when it's not my fault. Tell them your lawyer WILL be contacting them if a better deal can't be made. They hate the word lawyer.

I got hit in the rear end once in my pick up truck. It was a sweet young lady, and it was an accident. I wished her no harm as far as restitution. When her insurance company stepped in and started telling me how it was going to be, I told them how it was going to be.

The funny thing about it is the other driver has the same insurance as me.

 

[1967coronet]

Could be the light and photo but the lower rear corner of the qt looks damaged also. 1st glance that looks like a $4,500 to $5,000 job.
It will depend on were your insurance company pulls the plug.
Some do at 75% value some do as low as 50%
I did not look up your cars value.
Also if they do total it remember to get the sales tax on the cars value.
Had to add one more thing.. if they do not total read the damage disclosure on you car title.
States have different amount ranges that have to be declared on the title when a car is traded or sold. If your land in that range there should be a payout for that also.
Use to be you could skirt around that stuff but in 2025 it pops right up on a car fax ect.

 

[Cranky]

The funny thing about it is the other driver has the same insurance as me.

Had a similar deal...same insurance Co. Other guy's fault. They gave me just enough to cover the cost of parts...used parts. Pissed me off but back then, I didn't think about bringing up the word 'lawyer'.

 

[AR67GTX]

Doesn’t look totaled to me but as WileE said it’s basically an economic issue - value of car vs repair.

 

[gtxdana]

If the quarter and the frame are damaged, it'll be totaled. The book value is probably not very high on that model and of course, they will scrounge up some used parts, if possible, for any repairs. If the repairs are $4-5K, they'll total it.