Well terrible news Gentlemen. My newly acquired 1959 Spartan 100 was rear ended today in Colorado in her way to her new home here in Idaho. Not that any of you would really know but I have been looking for a Spartan 100 that was within my reach (financially and geographically) for about 12 years now. Now I don't know if she will ever make it up to Idaho, I may never actually see her in person. I don't know a lot about insurance but I can't help but feel that I am going to get royally screwed on this one. And to top it all off I may be on the hunt for another 100, only who knows how long it'll take this time around.
In a rear end collision, it's almost always the fault of the driver with the front end damage. Therefore, the red car's insurance should pay for the damage to your truck.
Thanks Tom, but no, you're not the only one. The good news is that the cab is fine still. But they think the frame is bent up and the tranny was grinding and whining pretty bad when they moved it to tow the other car. I'm not sure if those 2 things are related or not but it seems logical to me.
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Frames can be straightened by a good truck frame shop.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
If you are hit from behind it is virtually always the other driver's responsibility/fault. If that driver had no insurance, there may be uninsured motorists property damage cover on your policy and if so it may have a lower deductible than your collision coverage. IMPORTANT NOTE: most insurance companies have a limit on the amount of time in which you can make an uninsured motorist claim. Sometimes it is few as 30 days, so you need to get busy. Contact your insurance agent and if you purchased your policy from a direct writer (no agent per se involved), then contact the insurance company claims office tout suite and start rattling their chain.
If you are hit by an uninsured motorist and you have no applicable coverage of your own, you'll probably have to sue the other person.
Sorry to hear this happened to you.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
If you are hit from behind it is virtually always the other driver's responsibility/fault. If that driver had no insurance, there may be uninsured motorists property damage cover on your policy and if so it may have a lower deductible than your collision coverage. IMPORTANT NOTE: most insurance companies have a limit on the amount of time in which you can make an uninsured motorist claim. Sometimes it is few as 30 days, so you need to get busy. Contact your insurance agent and if you purchased your policy from a direct writer (no agent per se involved), then contact the insurance company claims office tout suite and start rattling their chain.
If you are hit by an uninsured motorist and you have no applicable coverage of your own, you'll probably have to sue the other person.
Sorry to hear this happened to you.
Thanks for this advice Jon,
I have already contacted my insurance company and they are aware of everything. I have the offending party's info and have filed a claim with geico (their insurance company). Now its just a waiting game I guess. My biggest concern is if they decide to total it. How much will I get? What are the chances they total it? I dont have any idea how much it costs to get a frame straightened, or what repair work on the wrecker body would be.
How the he77 did this rear-ender happen? There doesnt seem to be a road within 10 miles from this pasture,/desert. and theres a fencepost right behind the red car. did someone back the truck into the car? And by the damage,,one of the vehicles was moving along pretty well.
How the he77 did this rear-ender happen? There doesnt seem to be a road within 10 miles from this pasture,/desert. and theres a fencepost right behind the red car. did someone back the truck into the car? And by the damage,,one of the vehicles was moving along pretty well.
I-70 is about 10 yards to the left of the picture. This is near Rifle, CO. The Wrecker was doing about 50 on the interstate when it was hit from behind. Not sure how fast she was driving but it wasn't slow I can tell you that.
If the other guys insurance company considers it to be totaled, they will strike you a check for the value of the truck, whatever that amount may be. I don't know if the laws in ID are different than here in Virginia, but we are generally offered the damaged vehicle for a very small amount of money subtracted from the check. You may end up in much better shape than you think, depending on the severity of the damage. Insurance companies seem to be very eager to total vehicles these days just to be done with a claim. My sons car was damaged in an accident caused by the other driver. They determined it to be totaled. They wrote him a check for $5,000.00 and we kept the car ($5,500 less $500.00). We bought a wreck which had the front clip parts we needed for $450.00. It was like we hit the lottery. He now has a like-new car and $4,550.00 walking around folding money.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
If the other guys insurance company considers it to be totaled, they will strike you a check for the value of the truck, whatever that amount may be. I don't know if the laws in ID are different than here in Virginia, but we are generally offered the damaged vehicle for a very small amount of money subtracted from the check. You may end up in much better shape than you think, depending on the severity of the damage. Insurance companies seem to be very eager to total vehicles these days just to be done with a claim. My sons car was damaged in an accident caused by the other driver. They determined it to be totaled. They wrote him a check for $5,000.00 and we kept the car ($5,500 less $500.00). We bought a wreck which had the front clip parts we needed for $450.00. It was like we hit the lottery. He now has a like-new car and $4,550.00 walking around folding money.
I really hope it works out this well for me Carl. A branded title doesnt bother me that much because I am never going to get rid of this truck.
If the insurance company makes you a very small offer for the truck find out if you can get it back (as 52Carl said). If the answer is "no, we salvage total loss autos" don't be surprised. Some insurance companies have deals with third parties to do this because it saves them time and money and they're obviously not set up to hold and deal in broken autos. There is more money in recycled metal than ever before and there are companies doing this on a large scale.
But please understand you can refuse their offer and ask them to reconsider. Plead your case as convincingly as possible. If you do this, move up the line of management until you find somebody who has the authority to make you happy or at least happier. Arbitration is a possibility if your policy has the proper clause, and most insurance companies will want to work with you to avoid that. It basically means you both hire appraisers to look at the situation and these third party appraisers will get together and decide what happens.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
If the insurance company makes you a very small offer for the truck find out if you can get it back (as 52Carl said). If the answer is "no, we salvage total loss autos" don't be surprised. Some insurance companies have deals with third parties to do this because it saves them time and money and they're obviously not set up to hold and deal in broken autos. There is more money in recycled metal than ever before and there are companies doing this on a large scale.
But please understand you can refuse their offer and ask them to reconsider. Plead your case as convincingly as possible. If you do this, move up the line of management until you find somebody who has the authority to make you happy or at least happier. Arbitration is a possibility if your policy has the proper clause, and most insurance companies will want to work with you to avoid that. It basically means you both hire appraisers to look at the situation and these third party appraisers will get together and decide what happens.
Fantastic information Jon. I have only ever dealt with an accident with new current production vehicles so I wasnt worried about appraisals or even if it went to scrap. These old trucks however are getting a lot harder to find in any kind of restorable condition. I'd hate to lose this one to red tape.
Before you accept any money or sign anything, make sure that if they "total" your truck that it doesn't end up with a "salvage title"...that would open another whole can of worms.
It's hard to believe that 3,000 pound car had enough energy to push your 10,000 pound truck 30' off the road AND bend the frame.
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
Were you towing a vehicle when you got rear ended? Quite odd otherwise that the car that struck you ended up 90 degrees to the road just like you were towing it? Things that make you go ummmmm.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Before you accept any money or sign anything, make sure that if they "total" your truck that it doesn't end up with a "salvage title"...that would open another whole can of worms.
It's hard to believe that 3,000 pound car had enough energy to push your 10,000 pound truck 30' off the road AND bend the frame.
Mike B
Mike- I was under the impression that any time a vehicle is totaled it gets a salvaged title. Could you please elaborate on this a little more?
I thought it was kind of amazing as well- she must have been flying. 85+ mph is my guess. My truck was rattling along at about 50.
Were you towing a vehicle when you got rear ended? Quite odd otherwise that the car that struck you ended up 90 degrees to the road just like you were towing it? Things that make you go ummmmm.
sstock- Nope I thought it was interesting how it ended up as well. Several passing motorists assumed that the red car crashed and the 59 was the tow truck that got sent to the scene haha/
Whether a vehicle gets a salvage title is determined by state statute. In VA for instance, a vehicle has to be current or most recent 7 model years and/or worth more than $10,000 to have it's title branded by a total loss.
Whether a vehicle gets a salvage title is determined by state statute. In VA for instance, a vehicle has to be current or most recent 7 model years and/or worth more than $10,000 to have it's title branded by a total loss.
Check your DMV website.
artinva- would that be the state the accident took place in or my state of residence?
From looking at your second set of photos, I would be very surprised if your trucks main frame was damaged. Sheet metal and maybe a couple of braces. Hope that’s all it is. If they try to total the truck just refuse the settlement (it’s your right) and arrange delivery to your home. You will likely eat the cost of damage but you may be able to recover something in civil court. Was the car’s driver cited for inattentive driving?
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
From looking at your second set of photos, I would be very surprised if your trucks main frame was damaged. Sheet metal and maybe a couple of braces. Hope that’s all it is. If they try to total the truck just refuse the settlement (it’s your right) and arrange delivery to your home. You will likely eat the cost of damage but you may be able to recover something in civil court. Was the car’s driver cited for inattentive driving?
Justhorsenround - I don't know if she was cited with anything. I haven't seen the police report yet this happened yesterday morning.
I have been through this scenario twice. Both were the fault of the other driver, both were said to be totaled. Neither of them received branded title status. Neither were valued over $10,000. We received a generous check in each case and were allowed to keep the vehicle in both cases at a very low cost. How's your neck? Make sure to rub it constantly while you talk with their adjuster.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Don't surrender your title, insurance company may send you a form and tell you to take your title to DMV where they will brand it a salvage title,just ignore and title remains clear, in the case of lein they get title from bank and there may be no option for you, or just demand that settlement gets you clear title
Im with Pat66, Keep the title you have now. Get it transferred into your name ASAP. The ins. co only job is to $ettle with you. Take the settlement check, and your truck and cut all contact with them.
I think you wrote in an early post that you haven't actually seen this truck. Correct? Bought online, or by phone? Do you have a title in your name? Or only a BOS and assigned title from seller? I guess someone else was driving your truck to you. A delivery service? I guess you have insurance on it. Full meal deal, or only transport/ delivery insurance?
I agree with others that it looks repairable to me. Good luck with it.
I think you wrote in an early post that you haven't actually seen this truck. Correct? Bought online, or by phone? Do you have a title in your name? Or only a BOS and assigned title from seller? I guess someone else was driving your truck to you. A delivery service? I guess you have insurance on it. Full meal deal, or only transport/ delivery insurance?
I agree with others that it looks repairable to me. Good luck with it.
Frank, It was a craigslist deal. Called the guy talked to him a lot and then committed to purchase. The title is only signed over to me, not in my name yet. I also have a bill of sale. You are correct, someone was driving it to me. Not a delivery service, just a guy who was willing to make the trek. Also I do have insurance on it. I had my it added to my policy the night before, but it was only liability.
Take the best deal you can make for the "total" and then do a buyback of the vehicle for salvage value. Most insurance companies are happy to let you have the damaged car/truck back for pennies on the dollar. "Total" is just an accounting term the insurance pirates use, which doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle isn't repairable. You will probably get back most, if not all of your purchase price, and still have a truck to rebuild. I've done that on a few vehicles when people ran into me and their insurance company settled the claim. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
So sorry to hear about your "annoyance". I'd start talking buyback as well. Would be well worth your time. I'd have to agree with the pictures of the damage, it doesn't look like the frame is likely damaged at all, or least not to any unrepairable amount
Thanks for the support everyone. I got the insurance valuation back and they say its worth around $12,000 and they want to total it. They had a few things wrong on the initial eval (they said it had a 235 V8? haha) so I kicked it back and they are going to do another one, looks like it might add another 2-3 thousand. Somehow I think I might come out OK in this deal.
