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.