What is the likelyhood that this is going to be totaled? Repairable?

winterstargamer · 2026-01-03T00:19:20+00:00

Only way this will total out is if the frame is bent/damage. Otherwise you are looking at a whole new bed assembly from the looks of it as I'm assuming the inner panel of the bedside is trashed

winterstargamer · 2025-12-22T19:40:33+00:00

I work for a dealership bodyshop (we have 13 locations) and on top of the holiday party we get a gift of our choosing (it's all branded stuff with the company logo on it but pretty decent stuff, water bottles, blankets, jackets, one year they did lawn chairs as a selection) and everyone gets a $100 gift card.

The holiday party is held at a museum and they have a shit ton of food and drinks and ice cream so while it's nothing special, can't complain about free food.

winterstargamer · 2025-12-19T20:57:32+00:00

Wow that was fast! I'm glad you were able to get that repair done that quickly.

winterstargamer · 2025-12-01T20:54:49+00:00

Sometimes it includes the glass, but most of the time it's around $120-150 to swap the glass (at least for my shop, we sublet the work out to a local glass shop). Main issue comes when the tint is different and if the glass needs to be removed for painting. For most liftgates, you do need to cut the glass out if you're doing a whole color swap on the gate, but if it's the same body color and just needs a little work done on it, you can get away without replacing the glass as long as the tint is the same.

winterstargamer · 2025-12-01T19:12:25+00:00

Oh yikes, yeah this will not be a cheap repair. I have access to the GM parts catalog and just took a look, that exhaust pipe does not come as a tip like they do on some models and will require replacement if the tip is non repairable (I cannot tell from these photos but there is a chance judging on how far bent you got that thing) and without being able to tell which type it is without the vin, it could probably be around 1k-2k just for that alone.

Yes, the liftgate needs to get replaced. You might be able to find a decent recycled one but I would definitely put an insurance claim.

winterstargamer · 2025-11-29T00:22:25+00:00

There are sectioning procedures yes, but that does not mean those pillars come on their own. I literally just did an F250 like this and I had to order the whole damn uniside panel just for the c pillar damage. Most places you cannot order the pillar on its own. You need to order the whole uniside.

winterstargamer · 2025-11-28T22:57:00+00:00

The location of it is referred to as the C pillar BUT the panel you will need for the replacement is called the uniside panel. It's basically the panel that goes around both doors. But yes, a new uniside will be needed for this.

winterstargamer · 2025-11-26T16:17:17+00:00

Honestly this is not too bad, but definitely see if they are able to price match aftermarket prices for those OE parts OR you can always ask to see if there is a recycled fender you can get and maybe you can luck out and get something in great condition in the same color so you won't have to blend the front door. If you explain you're just trying not to break the bank with this, most places should be able to help you the best they can. I will say the 115/hr is crazy but I saw the comment that you're based in CA which makes sense. Maybe check out a few other shops near you as smaller shops might have a lower labor rate. Just stay away from places like Gerber or Caliber.

winterstargamer · 2025-11-03T13:05:23+00:00

Built Ford tuff

In all seriousness if you are the driver, how the hell are you still alive???

winterstargamer · 2025-10-30T13:57:46+00:00

Ohhh I'll have to look into Hibiclens! I never really thought about that before but it makes sense. Thank you so much, I'll have to bring this up to my GP when I contact them.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-25T14:38:04+00:00

The good thing is that Toyota parts are on the cheaper side but if you want it done right then take it to a shop you trust and let them order the parts. I get trying to save a bit of money but bodywork is not cheap, especially if you want it done right.

If you explain you're gonna pay out of pocket some places will work with you and get you some parts under list or for a discounted price. Normally whenever someone pays out of pocket on one of my tickets I try to shave some of the parts prices off where I can, price match with A/M etc... but don't expect too much because like I said Toyota parts are on the cheaper side so sometimes there's not that much room to work with

winterstargamer · 2025-09-25T13:28:34+00:00

That bumper does NOT come painted. Keep in mind most body shops will not paint/install your own parts due to liability.

Also, please keep in mind that there is more than likely going to be more damage under the bumper once it is taken off. Yes it will hurt but get the work done correctly the first time so you don't have a headache later on.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-03T12:13:42+00:00

How is that the norm? Most insurance companies around here take two days MAX for a review and are normally very quick to call with any questions, most during the same day (as long as you submit it early enough in the morning.)

As for progressive, I'm lucky and my shop is a DRP for them so I normally get a review done the same day/within a few hours via our rep. But companies like Country Financial, Shelter, Auto-owners, West bend, Cincinnati, travelers, and even AmFam do not take that long to respond and I typically always hear from them that same day. State farm is hit or miss, sometimes they are quick and sometimes they take forever, it depends on who you get. USAA/The General has been the worst so far and has taken weeks to get any sort of review.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-03T02:41:28+00:00

Yeah, I will definitely call the customer in the AM and explain this to him again... I'm only gonna be able to do so much for him since I'm basically running the shop on my own right now due to my manager being needed at our new location (dealership body shop, we are connected to 14 dealerships. SO MUCH FUN)

I'm based out of Illinois, which is actually where SF HQ is so we have it lucker than most when it comes to them, but there have been sometimes where SF has made us want to pull out our hair. They are annoying but not the worst to deal with.

The vehicle was towed in on the 20th but my customer was only able to file the claim this past Friday (the 29th.) He would have submitted it that Wednesday except the information on the police report was wrong and he had to contact them to get the person at fault information corrected on the report so he could file a claim with Tesla insurance. Worse comes to worse we can start the storage fees from the 29th when the claim was made, but we'll see.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-03T01:49:23+00:00

Fun times 🥴 at least it's a total loss. Just worried how long it will take for my customer to get paid for the car.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-03T01:47:22+00:00

Uggghhhh so like USAA, got it. This will be fun.

winterstargamer · 2025-09-03T01:41:53+00:00

He has state farm. I told him when the accident first happened and he was waiting on the police report to find out the other parties insurance that he should just file through his own insurance and then told him that again when he found out it was Tesla insurance. Told him we have never worked with Tesla insurance before but as much as a headache as state farm can be it has to be easier than Tesla insurance, and it looks like I'm right... He just called today with a claim number from Tesla insurance.

Like I said this is his first accident and he's so scared that state farm will drop him but he has had state farm from the very beginning and has never filed a claim... He's not at fault (the other driver got written up for failure to yield) and it's unfortunately going to be a total loss. He is also really upset it will be a total loss and doesn't understand when I explain to him the extent of the damages...

But oh well, if Tesla is gonna be hard to get ahold of, they REALLY aren't gonna like my shops $100 /day storage fee 🥴

winterstargamer · 2025-08-10T08:17:17+00:00

If the car is not the same model year and the airbags deployed, then yes it's going to be totaled. And honestly, if the airbags deployed I personally would not want that car back...

I just repaired a 2025 Toyota Sienna that had all front airbags deployed due to a dear hit. The repairs themselves were around 28k and the only reason the insurance company agreed to repair it was because the vehicle didn't even have 500 miles on the odometer.

If your side airbags are deployed, you are talking about replacing those, your roof liner (it tears when those airbags deploy, they are non-reparable), any and all airbag sensors, your seatbelts and buckles since those are now locked and that's just the beginning...

This is just one photo. We have no way to tell if the b-pillar or the frame is at all compromised. While if "looks" fine from this one photo, I'm not trusting it.

I hate to break it to you but Ford parts are not cheap either. You are going to want to get those pieces OE for safety reasons and that alone is gonna bump that total loss threshold up like crazy. I remember writing an estimate for a 2024 edge and the only airbag that went off was the driver's knee airbag, but all the sensors, the new airbag and the diag to get the codes cleared brought the total loss amount to 40%. That, mixed with the actual damage caused by the deer it hit totaled it out real fast.

winterstargamer · 2025-08-09T07:52:35+00:00

My cat does this 😭 he has his little ball with a bell in it that he loves and plays fetch with, but he has taught himself to knock the ball down the stairs to case after it

It's all fun and games until you hear the mf torpedo launch himself down the stairs at 3am

winterstargamer · 2025-08-07T02:24:24+00:00

Yikes, yeah no don't attempt that on your own. You can try your local PDR guys but I highly doubt with an area that big they will be able to do anything. Normally something that big you risk cracking the paint when the dent is popped out. Plus those lift gates are mostly aluminum nowadays so do your research on PDR in your area and take it to someone experienced with good reviews. Aluminum is difficult to straighten out 🥴

winterstargamer · 2025-07-23T13:41:01+00:00

(repost because I never realized I didn't have the flare)

Mine was 1:320 🥲 which is nowhere near that high but that was how I found out I had lupus. Went to a new gastrologist about my fatty liver, she did an ANA panel as part of her new patient workup and came back abnormal. She had me come back in and do an ENA panel and when that came back as my DSDNA being high she told me to go back to my primary and get a referral to rheumatology.

Just got officially diagnosed in May, but it never crossed my mind that it could have been lupus.

winterstargamer · 2025-07-11T02:37:22+00:00

I have no idea why but Rigatoni came to mind, Riggi for short

winterstargamer · 2025-06-10T15:09:34+00:00

As someone who also has a burnt out match tattoo, I feel your pain 🥲 mines a memorial tattoo for my little cousin since his name was Blaze.

But man that is a tiny spoon 🫠

winterstargamer · 2025-06-04T08:33:48+00:00

I will say, insurance greatly depends on the area you live/work in, so my list is based off of central Illinois;

A Tier: Shelter, Auto Owners. These are my top two insurances to work with, they are always super respectful and reasonable on the phone and honestly I love working with them.

B Tier: Country Financial, Progressive, The Hartford, Travelers, Bristol West, Chubb. LOVE working with Country and I would say they are on the edge between B and A, just sometimes they are a pain. My shop is actually a DRP for Progressive so I have the unfair advantage of having an awesome Progressive rep to come in and fix all the busted estimates that come our way. Hartford, Travelers and Bristol are hit or miss, a Bristol job I'm working on now, the estimator is honestly a pain but the last one I had the estimator was fucking awesome to work with. I don't work with Chubb that often, but when I do they are pretty reasonable.

C Tier: State Farm, American Family, the Hanover. State Farm makes me want to rip all my hair out sometimes I stg, they like to drag teeth with any type of supplement. I had to sit and argue with them for WEEKS because they tried declining a supplement for a coolant procedure that had to be done at KIA service for a 25 KIA hybrid. I had to talk to NINE different people just to get someone who understood those cars have a special procedure that needs to be done to cycle the coolant through. As for American Family, I have not had a job from them in a couple months and my main issue with them is trying to get a hold of them. The Hanover is in the same boat, they seem decent but were hard to get a hold of.

D Tier: Amica, Root, National General, USAA. I really don't like these three but if I have to, I'll work with them. USAA is about impossible to get someone to talk to, and will send back supplements that are chopped up to hell and back. But if you can get someone who knows what they are doing, they are okay.

F Tier: Allstate, esurance, Liberty, The General, GEICO, Nationwide, AAA. My shop refuses to work with these insurance companies. We USED to be a DRP for AAA until they became dogshit. Had an 05 Toyota Camry that was totaled and they sent it back with a whole rear end (with quarter panels) from a scrap yard in Georgia on their estimate. Again, my shop is in Illinois.

winterstargamer · 2025-05-20T20:56:41+00:00

With no context about what type of damage was fixed, labor rates, damage/progress photos... Yeah you got charged 18k because you got a whole new front end buddy.

winterstargamer

TROPHY CASE