frame bent on 2006 avalanche 4x4

so i got rear ended. rear bumper and tailpipe damage visible. bumper bent down no paint damage at all. insurance co. just notified me that they are going to total my vehicle because the repair shop would have to lift and remove and replace bent frame. mind you i drove the vehicle for over a week before getting it in to the repair shop.  my question is should i take payment approximately `$16,000.00 or $9,000.00 and keep and repair the vehicle myself? I really like my avy. garage kept and only 60k miles.  please advise

You are running into the same problem many members have, they can't unbend the frame it has to be replaced. See if you can find a frame repair specific place that can cut the bad part of the frame out and weld in some replacement parts. They do sell the replacement frames sections.

This type of decision can be hard for an owner especially if there is an emotional attachment to the vehicle. Insurance companies only look at the economic side of things and to them it is more expensive to fix then it's worth. So easy decision for them....
If you decide to keep the AV or buy it after it is "totaled" you may end with a salvage title and that could make it hard to insure or sell later on down the road. If you plan to keep it until the wheels fall off and aren't concerned about economics then do what you want or can afford.
Good luck with your decision.

thanks guys. I really appreciate your inputs. they are trying to rush me but on monday i'm goingh to look for a frame specialist in the richmond, va. area. if feasible and safe i would like to keep it forever.

It is good the you've posted this question and provided us with the insurance information. Taking it out for a real physical inspection and then providing that information here will likely produce a very good discussion on this topic.

I don't like the aspects of a Salvage Title and future insurance coverage. Then, there is a matter of anyone stepping into a Salvaged Truck without knowing about the quality of the frame replacement or repair.

You may have an emotional attachment, but please consider the safety for your riders. They are trusting you to for riding in a safe and reliable vehicle. Just as we do when, after returning a rental vehicle and discovering afterwards it was loaded up with more Recalls than any Liability Releases we'd fill out and sign our life away for just to ride a Zip Line.

Following, Same problem. 2003 Avalance Z-71

They totaled my wife's truck last march. took the payout and replaced the rear frame section. with a used parts, good as new, till it got hit again by an F250 in da butt

Here we don't have problems with my reconstructs.  No issue insuring them either.

couple fix pics

before pic of her AV, 6 -7 years ago

Alaska_AV. said:

totaled my wife's truck last march. took the payout and replaced the rear frame section. good as new, till it got hit again by an F250 in da butt

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Hoped you'd chime in. If it didn't move the rear axle it's not all that bad right?

Mine was hit in the right front wheel and jacked the engine several inches left.
I was certain it was totaled but didn't want to admit it until insurance said so.

Flint4x4 said:

Hoped you'd chime in. If it didn't move the rear axle it's not all that bad right?

Mine was hit in the right front wheel and jacked the engine several inches left.
I was certain it was totaled but didn't want to admit it until insurance said so.

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I have this one, kind of like yours I think. going to re frame it. and new nose.  I used the rear frame and bumper on Diane's AV

I just look at accidents in a different way...lol

have this one to re-roof, got it for the front end for the one above. But now i'm thinking of making a 6 or 8 door out of it

Alaska_AV. said:

I have this one, kind of like yours I think. going to re frame it. and new nose.  I used the rear frame and bumper on Diane's AV

I just look at accidents in a different way...lol

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Mine needed fewer cosmetic parts, mainly a fender. The wheel was at a 45o angle and it being 4WD with the frame pushed 6 inches left moving everything including the engine,...

I realize it's possible to repair but I can't do it and I've seen many repaired in the past by other people that couldn't do it right. That's partly why insurance companies total them for frame damage, it's come back to bite them too many times. Most body shops simply don't have anyone experienced with frame damage.

just showing off my insanity....

Not insanity, it's skill. I've straightened a few frames but they weren't very bad.

If you have the time, skill and the right tools almost anything can be fixed   

i think i'm going to keep it. found a frame shop that can replace or maybe repair it. the av's also depending on your vin# have some replacement frame parts.mine have a kink just at the rear axle. no other damage except the bumper and tailpipe. thanks for all the inputs. will keep you posted. will try to load some before and after pictures as soon as i can figure it out

Let us know what happens, you may want to check with your insurance company. In my case once they pay you out they won't insure it again.

that sucks
who do you use?

I think back then it was State Farm.

MS03 2500 said:

Let us know what happens, you may want to check with your insurance company. In my case once they pay you out they won't insure it again.

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I'm sure this varies with each situation.

Best to check to be sure.

When that guy smashed into my 1993 Ford Explorer earlier this year, his insurance company (Direct) declared the truck a total loss.

Since the truck was in fairly good shape other than the fender and bumper damage, and the salvage value was only $89, I chose to let them deduct that from my settlement and they cut me a check and I kept the truck.

My insurance company (State Farm) was aware of the wreak since I had gone to my agent and let them handle the filing of the claim with Direct.

As far as I can tell, State Farm was never made aware of any of the transaction beyond my agent making the first contact with the other guy's insurance company.

When I received my settlement check from Direct, there was a letter indicating that, if required in my state, they would notify the DMV of the totaled status of the truck.

I never heard anything from the DMV about having to replace my current title with a salvage title or anything like that.

State Farm is happily auto-drafting the premium each month like nothing ever happened.

I do not intend to stir the pot, either, and just let things bump.

So, for me, not having insurance coverage would be a deal killer, but a salvage title would be pretty meaningless since the truck is worth nothing anyway and I figure when I do decide to get rid of the thing, it will most likely be headed to the local salvage yard as it's final resting place.

Also, I used the settlement check to repair all of the wreak damage and to also have some long needed repairs done to the truck.

If I had filed a claim with State Farm using my uninsured motorist, had the other guy not had any insurance, then I can see where State Farm might have not wanted to re-insure the truck.

The accident was actually a blessing in disguise, for me, since the truck is actually in much better shape now than before the wreak.

In Oregon if the insurance notifies DMV with a total and If you keep it DMV will send out
a notice to bring in plates and title. If you rebuild you have to have it inspected by
DMV and Sate police. This came in affect because all the shoddy rebuilds that were
being put out.
This happened to me young. Car looked so good. Seller took me into his home showered
me with kindness. Bought the 280Z front tire went bad in weeks took it to shop frame bent.
They fixed it with other suspension up grades. They told me it would have been nothing to
fix the frame when they were rebuilding the car.
Went to a lawyer said it would be he said I said on used car being I did not take to a shop.
Pushed a set of tiger paws over 70k after fix. Did go back but he would not answer his door
a good thing very bad things happen when I lose my temper.
Sorry for the rant.