Had a run of three total write-offs in one week last month

It was last month in Tampa... Monday came in a T-boned F-150, Wednesday a rolled-over Silverado, and Friday a front-end job on a Civic that the adjuster just totaled out. Every single one had frame damage beyond what we could pull in the shop. Made for a weird short week where I spent more time on estimates than actual repairs, but the check from the insurance work kept us afloat. Has anyone else had a week where the salvage yard basically took over your entire schedule?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason733d agoTop Commenter

The Silverado was a 4x4 though, right? Those usually don't total as easy.

the_kim1d ago

Four wheel drive usually means a beefier front end and more weight, so yeah they're a bit tougher. But I've seen a 2500HD get written off from a deer hit that bent the frame rail just behind the cab. The frame's the real killer on those... if the crumple zone got pushed back into the mounts or the bed's tweaked, the repair bill adds up fast with all the electronics in the newer ones. Most people don't realize the labor alone for pulling a bent frame straight is five figures easy.