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2004 Chevy Avalanche - Wrecked Insurance wants to TOTAL HELP

Christygirl75

New Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2021
Messages
2
On January 22, 2021 I was sitting in median with my 12yr granddaughter with right signal on to approaching traffic when a 2015 4runner Toyota hit me in the rear, she was on her cell & told Officer she didn't see me(really). Anyway her insurance company total her car & because I received quotes of $5600 to fix the CHAISE, I think I spelled that right, but I was told it's the foundation of my truck, now insurance company wants to total my Avalanche for only $7,000. Anyone have any ideas, I'm 76 & going thru CANCER treatments!
 
First glad everyone is OK from accident.
Second Welcome to the club.
Third Prayers you recover from Cancer

Now on to the truck:

If frame (what you are calling Foundation) is damage aka BENT then yes to replace with a new one is expensive and with other damage costs to repair are probably well more then truck is worth.

But maybe ask for a JUNKYARD Frame? might be some straight ones out there...
People can fix bent frame with little welding and pulling etc.
But it is labor and expensive..

Do you want to keep truck?
OR maybe start looking for replacement?
$7k for a 2004 is a lot of $$$ as they sell for much less

IF all else fails contact an Accident lawyer you would be surprised how much more $ you can get to make your truck whole.
SOthenyou buy it back and with extra money you pay to have it fixed or find a new one.
 
I agree with everything ygmn posted.
 
I know this is too late to be of help to Christygirl75, but others might benefit.

I bought my 03 1500 new and of course know everything about it's maintenance. In 2016 a dingbat was flying up the inside shoulder of the freeway and when she ran out of room, decided to push me over and take my space in the fast lane. I can't believe the CHP bought her story about having a panic attack. Anyway the body shop estimated the front door skin and hinges, drivers front fender, windshield, front bumper, bumper cover, and lights at $ 6,800 +- . Then they said the lady's insurance company and mine decided to total my truck. I couldn't believe it. I was adamant about not totaling it because it could be fixed for less than they estimated.

We all know how arguing with an insurance company goes. They offered me the price of a 2004 1500 Avalanche with less mileage. That was $7,600 +-. I asked what the buyback was and they quoted me $1,300. After showing them that they didn't add the value of the some of the factory options like Bose Stereo, power pedals etc. they agreed to an additional $1,000 and I ended up buying it back for $300.00. (I love telling others that...lol.)

I replaced the front bumper with a much improved "real truck" welded steel Legend Sport bumper from Ranch hand (See profile pic). New lights, new windshield, and still have the same minor dents in my front fender and drivers door (it has always shut fine). For less than $2K I have driven it ever since, and by listing the remaining dents but showing pictures of the rest of the repairs, I got the salvage title reversed and have full coverage again. The remaining $6,300.00? well it paid off some credit card bills and i was a hero to my wife :)

Still drive it everyday, and still love it.
 
Man, I notice the picture in your profile. You need to post up some full pictures. I'd love to see the bumper and other mods you have. This coming from a fellow yellow owner.
 
This happened to me in the fall. Accident not my fault and essentially bent the rear passenger door and ripped off the cladding. I spoke with the other driver's insurance company and asked specifically not to total. They paid me $1 less than the total amount and I got a check and was able to keep the truck without going through the entire salvage process. Much better than trashing a beautiful truck because the blue book value doesn't reflect the true value.
 
This happened to me in the fall. Accident not my fault and essentially bent the rear passenger door and ripped off the cladding. I spoke with the other driver's insurance company and asked specifically not to total. They paid me $1 less than the total amount and I got a check and was able to keep the truck without going through the entire salvage process. Much better than trashing a beautiful truck because the blue book value doesn't reflect the true value.
I wish I had known to do that also back then. Good move.
 
Man, I notice the picture in your profile. You need to post up some full pictures. I'd love to see the bumper and other mods you have. This coming from a fellow yellow owner.
I’m a sorry missed your post and haven’t replied. I’ll try to post some pics this weekend. Since the profile pics I have done a lot of suspension mods different wheels and tires lights dash mods etc. I am teaching myself to weld better so I can make a rack like my old construction truck lumber racks that I can mount under the cladding on the outside and still allow for a bestop brand canvas “camper shell”. Also have my out for a decent, adaptable, swing away, split, spare tire, high lift Jack and Jerry can holder to mount rob rear bumper.
 
Man, I notice the picture in your profile. You need to post up some full pictures. I'd love to see the bumper and other mods you have. This coming from a fellow yellow owner.
I’m a sorry missed your post and haven’t replied. I’ll try to post some pics this weekend. Since the profile pics I have done a lot of suspension mods different wheels and tires lights dash mods etc. I am teaching myself to weld better so I can make a rack like my old construction truck lumber racks that I can mount under the cladding on the outside and still allow for a bestop brand canvas “camper shell”. Also have my out for a decent, adaptable, swing away, split, spare tire, high lift jack and Jerry can holder to mount rob rear bumper.

One more thing Frito. Every time I think I am tired of the yellow, I easily spot in in a crowded Parking lot and re-appreciate the 1-year only, yellow color. I’m sure you can relate my friend.
 
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One more thing Frito. Every time I think I am tired of the yellow, I easily spot in in a crowded Parking lot and re-appreciate the 1-year only, yellow color. I’m sure you can relate my friend.
Yes, yes I can. I can honestly say I have never had to search too long in a parking lot for where I parked. 👍🏻
 
My Sons Avalanche back in the day was the yellow color. We all called it Big Bird. Long story but he let us borrow it to
take my elderly mother on a trip back to where she grew up etc. She had difficulty getting in and out of cars that were low
like my wife's at the time, but could get in and out of the Av fairly easily due to the handles and step.

We liked the truck on the trip so much when we got home I traded my extended cab pickup on the Av in my avatar..
the rest is history.. :)
 
I wish I had known to do that also back then. Good move.
Sadly enough the same truck got hit 2 weeks ago. Driver fell asleep and got it in the driveway. Brush guard took the brunt of the hit. Needs a fender, all the plastic in front and some hood work. Body shop didn't want to be bothered and inflated the estimate. It took about 2 hours on the phone with 3 different insurance reps but I finally convinced them to cover my expenses and not total the truck.
 
Sadly enough the same truck got hit 2 weeks ago. Driver fell asleep and got it in the driveway. Brush guard took the brunt of the hit. Needs a fender, all the plastic in front and some hood work. Body shop didn't want to be bothered and inflated the estimate. It took about 2 hours on the phone with 3 different insurance reps but I finally convinced them to cover my expenses and not total the truck.
Well done. Best of luck with repairs. I found that it was impossible to find a front bumper cover in junk yard and I wanted aftermarket bumpers anyway.
 
My Sons Avalanche back in the day was the yellow color. We all called it Big Bird. Long story but he let us borrow it to
take my elderly mother on a trip back to where she grew up etc. She had difficulty getting in and out of cars that were low
like my wife's at the time, but could get in and out of the Av fairly easily due to the handles and step.

We liked the truck on the trip so much when we got home I traded my extended cab pickup on the Av in my avatar..
the rest is history.. :)
Sounds like a cool trade for both of you.
 
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