If your frame is bent on your car from an accident, will the insurance company usually always total it out?

Fred C

Nope, it is total damage that counts. Unless the frame is cracked, or had previous damage, it can be straightened by a shop with a frame-straightening specialty. There is no ongoing problem from it as long as the wheel alignment is checked and adjusted after. The body shop will check the frame after the frame shop sends it back, and will not complete the repairs unless the frame is straight. I have only had this done on one car, but I drove it close to 100,000 miles after the repairs.
By the way, if the car is older, and has enough rust on the frame to weaken it, it will be a lot closer to the write-off as the frame will not be strong enough to take the bending and then straightening.
And yes, it is true, many newer cars do not have an actual frame.

Mark A

No, your car won't necessarily be totaled. It's amazing what a good body man with a frame machine can do. I've had two cars catch frame damage in the past. Both were less than 3 years old and both were repaired. They both had no problems after the wreck. Although your insurance company will recommend a shop, ask around to find out the best shop in the area and insist on using it. Once the claim has been paid, it's a lot more difficult to go back and claim that additional problems were hidden damage. An inexperienced shop may repair the frame but miss the suspension damage, as an example. Hope this helps.

jim

Not always. A car is "totaled" when the cost of the repairs exceeds the value of the car, or pretty close to it.

Star

They will likely have the body shop pull the frame back to the proper state.
My husband has done body work for almost 20 and they always have the shops pull the frame rather than writing the car off because it is cheaper for them. Obviously, it is the best route for them but not always for the vehicle owner since it weakens the frame.

CwboyBill

Unless you are driving a truck or a Ford Crown Vic your car doesn't have a 'frame'. Almost every car on the road today is constructed using a unitized body/frame design. Any decent collision repairer will have a machine on site (that usually costs more than your car) that uses laser guided measuring equipment to restore a vehicle to within 1mm of factory tolerances. I know, I have done it. Even if a truck (which almost all use a 'conventional' steel frame) frame is damaged beyond repair it can usually be replaced. Bottom line is this: if the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds the value, or as in most states, a set percentage of the value, it will be declared a total loss. Thousands of vehicle unistructures are repaired each and everyday with no ill effects whatsoever. Still in doubt? Visit a good body repair center and ask the manager to show you a 'frame machine' and measuring system in action. You will be very impressed....

Nysa

It really does depend on the total amount of the damage, the age, value and type of vehicle you were driving.

If it was a vehicle with a frame, then yes, most likely, it would be totaled. If not, a decent mechanic should be able to repair the car back to the condition it was in.

Good Luck!

goat

most cars do not have frames anymore unless a big luxury car.they are unibody construction...your car will mabey be totaled

pollo_314

I would say most likely. A car being categorized as a total loss for an insurance company is when the repair to your vehicle would be more costly that cutting a check for the value of the vehicle. Instead they will buy the car from you for what they deem it to be worth prior to the accident. In turn, they sell it to a junkyard.

To determine the value of your vehicle pre-accident I suggest edmunds.com or another site to get an estimate of your car's value. If you drive a 1993 Honda.. forget about getting your car repaired and start looking for a replacement vehicle.

While if your driving a 2007 BMW it depends on the extent of the damage. If you want to keep your vehicle and get it repaired I highly suggest getting an estimate of your own done by your bodyshop of choice.

If you deal with an insurance co. they are going to try and steer you to their shop where the work is guaranteed. The fine print being that a lot of those shops use non factory parts. So if you drive a Ford, your getting some knockoff Ford parts.

Your other options is quite simple, despite your car being delcared a total loss you could purchase it back from the salvage yard the insurance company sells it to and have the car fixed yourself. I would however advise against that as in most states your title will show that the car was once declared a salvage vehicle, this will dramatically affect your resale value.

Be sure to tell your adjuster that you want your own estimate done as well... if your not happy with his findings and can find a reputable repair facility to state otherwise most insurance company's will cave to your request. Its far more economical to them to cut you a little extra cash to make you happy. Property damage claims are their least concern. Those cases where someone runs down a baby stroller crossing the street is when they start to play hardball.

You have many rights and options... also know this if your not at fault and are using someone elses vehicle you may be entitled to a payout for not taking a rental vehicle if they offer one.. again this varies on the state... but make sure you specifically ask for compensation for "loss of use". You could get up to $20/day for just finding another way to work, or borrowing a vehicle.

Kiffin # 1

Despite the contradiction in terms ("usually always"), most often times a bent frame is cause for a total write-off. There are some exceptions, but since you were "t-boned", I think it's safe to assume the main frame is bent, which will result in a total! Good luck!

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