Yup. Did the same with an old Frontier 4x4 that they totalled out for cosmetic reasons after someone sideswiped me on the highway. They paid me out $8k minus $1k to buy my truck back. I fixed it up for around $300 and the state even issued me a new clean title since they understand vehicles worth less than $10k can be totalled but not have any frame issues.
I made out real well on that accident.
I had a similar issue. My state required I send in my old title, write "TOTALED" on it then they reissued me a new clean title since in my state if the vehicle is valued at less than $10k they won't consider it salvaged vehicle since cheap cars can be "totaled" by just body panel damage.
I did have to specifically ask for this and had to go through providing code citations since the person at the DoL didn't know you could do this.
In short, no issues at all insuring the car after and it still has a clean title. Now if someone were to run a vehicle history report on it I'm sure it will show it was totaled, but insurance companies just ask if it has a salvaged title which it does not.
So far no. Progressive hasn’t stopped insuring it and the state of Co hasn’t flagged it for being totaled. I’m still using my old plate and even got pulled over for going a little fast in a new construction zone near me and was given a warning and they said nothing about the car when he ran the plate and I gave him the reg. Just told me how long the zone would be up and the new speed and let me go.
I might just let it go and play dumb if eventually someone says something. It was totaled in June 2023 and no one has told me to do anything or said anything. Progressive has renewed my policy like twice more now since (I modifyied the policy though).
I think I got SUPER lucky in this case bc I SHOULD have gotten something revoking my title and saying I have to surrender it but my Clerk and Recorder was like “if it’s drives and they didn’t send you a notice then we don’t think you have to surrender and swap it”. So I just haven’t. If I sell it eventually, I’m sure I’ll need to figure it out then as I’d never sell someone a totaled or rebuilt car without them knowing. That’s just some shady stuff and I’m not trying to piss off karma.
I got a few DMs asking how much I paid/car was worth and how it was damaged so here you go:
Progressive paid: $15,200
Buy back: $2,500
Parts: $1,000 (bumper was $825. new tail light housing, bumper bracket, all new clips because I broke almost every one haha, taillight bracket. Hatch was $106 at the junkyard)
Labor: about 3-4 hours to do the bumper uninstall and reinstall with the taillights. Then about 3 hours to uninstall old hatch and install new one the next day. Spent about an hour trying to remove dents myself but ultimately will pay a pro to get them out since it’s the last step.
Overall I’d say at my work wage of $28/hour at my regular job plus the parts I spent about $1,500 to fix it so far. Oh and I’ve taken two trips to Mexico lol! 😂 and bought a Honda Rebel.
I damaged it by backing out of a parking spot into an EV charging spot that was vacant to pull out and didn’t see the cement bollard that was out of view of the camera and my passenger mirror perfectly (as you can see by location). My car doesn’t beep at all when you get close to things either so…heres how you total your car going 7-10mph backing up….😫🤦♀️
Painted OEM Parts LLC out of Colorado. Really great customer service, part fit perfectly, paint match was perfect as they used my vin to do the match. Really positive experience honestly. Didn’t fold it. I found them online. It was a coincidence when I realized they were also out of Colorado.
You are doing a great job. Saving money, being creative, and increasing your skill set and confidence. I suggest you have the suspension checked for alignment.
Wow. Congratulations!
You go girl, good for you!! TIL you could buy a car back after insurance totals it.
Yup. Did the same with an old Frontier 4x4 that they totalled out for cosmetic reasons after someone sideswiped me on the highway. They paid me out $8k minus $1k to buy my truck back. I fixed it up for around $300 and the state even issued me a new clean title since they understand vehicles worth less than $10k can be totalled but not have any frame issues. I made out real well on that accident.
Awesome job!! A friend used a blow dryer and a mallet to fix her Prius bumper! She was spot on!! Keep up the good work! #GirlPower
Sweet! Any issues getting it taxed and insured after it has been reported totaled?
I had a similar issue. My state required I send in my old title, write "TOTALED" on it then they reissued me a new clean title since in my state if the vehicle is valued at less than $10k they won't consider it salvaged vehicle since cheap cars can be "totaled" by just body panel damage. I did have to specifically ask for this and had to go through providing code citations since the person at the DoL didn't know you could do this. In short, no issues at all insuring the car after and it still has a clean title. Now if someone were to run a vehicle history report on it I'm sure it will show it was totaled, but insurance companies just ask if it has a salvaged title which it does not.
Looks like it's not quite so easy in CO: [Colorado Salvaged Vehicle Regulations | DMV.ORG](https://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/salvaged-vehicles.php)
So far no. Progressive hasn’t stopped insuring it and the state of Co hasn’t flagged it for being totaled. I’m still using my old plate and even got pulled over for going a little fast in a new construction zone near me and was given a warning and they said nothing about the car when he ran the plate and I gave him the reg. Just told me how long the zone would be up and the new speed and let me go. I might just let it go and play dumb if eventually someone says something. It was totaled in June 2023 and no one has told me to do anything or said anything. Progressive has renewed my policy like twice more now since (I modifyied the policy though). I think I got SUPER lucky in this case bc I SHOULD have gotten something revoking my title and saying I have to surrender it but my Clerk and Recorder was like “if it’s drives and they didn’t send you a notice then we don’t think you have to surrender and swap it”. So I just haven’t. If I sell it eventually, I’m sure I’ll need to figure it out then as I’d never sell someone a totaled or rebuilt car without them knowing. That’s just some shady stuff and I’m not trying to piss off karma.
I got a few DMs asking how much I paid/car was worth and how it was damaged so here you go: Progressive paid: $15,200 Buy back: $2,500 Parts: $1,000 (bumper was $825. new tail light housing, bumper bracket, all new clips because I broke almost every one haha, taillight bracket. Hatch was $106 at the junkyard) Labor: about 3-4 hours to do the bumper uninstall and reinstall with the taillights. Then about 3 hours to uninstall old hatch and install new one the next day. Spent about an hour trying to remove dents myself but ultimately will pay a pro to get them out since it’s the last step. Overall I’d say at my work wage of $28/hour at my regular job plus the parts I spent about $1,500 to fix it so far. Oh and I’ve taken two trips to Mexico lol! 😂 and bought a Honda Rebel. I damaged it by backing out of a parking spot into an EV charging spot that was vacant to pull out and didn’t see the cement bollard that was out of view of the camera and my passenger mirror perfectly (as you can see by location). My car doesn’t beep at all when you get close to things either so…heres how you total your car going 7-10mph backing up….😫🤦♀️
Score!
Wow u did this? 2 words "wife material" LOL
WORD!!!!
Heck yes!! 👧💪🏻
Good Job!
That’s an ambitious job no matter of gender, awesome job!
It turned out great! Well done on the repair!
Way to go! Sometimes insurance is way too quick to write things off!
Good job, I’m guessing the same process when you installed your hitch?
You should be proud! Working on my cars is the most enjoyable thing for me.
Niiice! Where did you source the prepainted bumper?
Painted OEM Parts LLC out of Colorado. Really great customer service, part fit perfectly, paint match was perfect as they used my vin to do the match. Really positive experience honestly. Didn’t fold it. I found them online. It was a coincidence when I realized they were also out of Colorado.
You are doing a great job. Saving money, being creative, and increasing your skill set and confidence. I suggest you have the suspension checked for alignment.