[Laneco]

Your vehicle is usually totalled at 80% of FMV (fair market value). That is usually determined by sales estimates. Kelley Blue Book "wholesale" or trade-in value averaged with private party sales will get you close. That sum, because of how it is obtained and the condition of your vehicle is most definately negotiable.

If you are in a somewhat rural area, there may not be alot of PDR guys around. If there is one or two, they are going to be booked solid for a while. It might be worth your effort to take the vehicles to someone out of area for the repairs. No wait, and that person may have alot more time on their hands for a heavily damaged vehicle.

You can also have some PDR done, and some body work/panel replacement done. You don't have to go 100% either way. You can opt for aftermarket parts, such as hoods and fenders to "save" totalling a vehicle. Don't overlook used parts either. Sometimes, especially with pickups, you get lucky and have a color match on the used parts. There seem to be a few less colors in pickups than over vehicles and if yours is a work truck, good chance it's white as are most other work trucks.

angela