Sideswiped. Now what?

[Guns_N_Rosaries]

Popping in to parrot "get a dashcam"
I'm in DFW, and there's no way I'd drive around here without a dashcam. Almost once a week while commuting to work or around town I get in a situation where if something had happened, a dashcam would make sure I wouldn't get any fault.

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[KX L]

I agree with the others---get the truck back to like new.

I've been with USAA for 43 years and would like all reading this to know that just asking about a possible claim results in, "Well we just need a little more information so we'll work it up like one." Halfway through the procedure I realized my deductible was twice as large as I thought it was so I told them that and said never mind.

So even though I called them about a claim I never filed for has resulted in them saying I have a claim. This post has energized me to call them and ask why.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Another vote for USAA here too. I’m not with them now but switching back soon. They did a great job handling my last Jeep’s big claim. Got me a new suspension under the Jeep and even allowed me to have it done at an off-road shop of my choice.

 

[Freems]

Seriously, get a good dash cam, one with a rear camera too. I use THIS Viofo A229 Plus (3ch w/ inc. rear cam). They offer an external rear camera accessory, which I plan to get soon for the the top comes off. It's a true 2k Sony Starvis sensor with HDR capability on both cameras to help in low light. If you want 4k, get the A229 Pro.

I had someone riding my ass yesterday, and they saw me reach for the camera and immediately backed off.

I prefer the good old “brake check” method for ass riders, nothing better than watching their front bumper plowing a new corn row down the pavement.

 

[White Eagle]

3,500 miles on my 25 Mojave X. Just went broadside on the highway with an F350 from the power company. Both fender flares are toast. The passenger mirror is missing the back and the blind spot isn’t working. The rear passenger tire and rim are both trashed. I’m don’t think there is any structural damage. More than anything I’m just extremely pissed off because my JT is brand new.

How would you proceed? Would you try to find a wheel/tire on marketplace? Take whatever the insurance company offers and put it towards upgrading rather than replacing? I’ve never been in this situation and I have no idea how to even proceed.

I don’t know how the insurance companies are going to determine fault. There is no police report. The guy in the utility truck just gave me his info, took mine, and drove off. I’ve already started a claim with my insurance (USAA). I have a $1,000 deductible (because I haven’t filed a claim in 15+ years and would rather pay $1K once than more each month).

So, what are your thoughts?

Sir, do yourself a favor and make sure you go through a USAA preferred dealer. I hit a deer recently with a brand new Toyota Tundra and the preferred shops couldn’t get me in for 3 months here in Texas, I decided to let Toyota fix it. USAA made me suffer for this decision and every time I had to get something approved I was met with “Thats what you get for not going through one of our preferred partners”.

I have a $0 deductible and rental includes a truck. I pay through the nose so I claim everything.

Goodluck and thanks for your service Brother !

 

[Bennett]

Sitting at a preferred shop getting an estimate now…

 

[NC_Overland]

Sitting at a preferred shop getting an estimate now…

I used to handle USAA claims. They’ll say it’s not drivable and have you drop it off and put you in a rental today.

 

[dawghauler]

Didn’t forget to ask for diminished value now that the claim will be on the carfax

 

[Alpine Warthog]

Time for a fender chop and bigger tires! Those fenders are totally useable still. Pull the guts out, Get the American Adventure Labs fender chop kit for the front and new plastic clips and your fender problem is gone!

 

[Bennett]

You have my attention….

 

[Alpine Warthog]

You have my attention….

I love my AAL fender chop lights. They are really slick. Gutting those fenders will give you a lot more room for rubber, not that you don't already have a bunch on that Mojave. Texas fender laws are pretty lax so that problem is nonexistent. And dude factory fenders are expensive even on Ebay... save that cash for gears!

 

[NC_Overland]

Your stock Jeep would look ridiculous with a fender chop till you put much larger tires on it. I would skip that. It’s too nice looking, new, and valuable. Let them fix it right. Plus, it’s very difficult to get a direct repair facility to work with you like that. I handled USAA auto claims for years. It doesn’t happen very often. You could get them to cut you a check, but if you fix it yourself or have another shop fix it and they find additional damage you’re SOL.

I was able to do that with State Farm when someone hit my back bumper in a parking lot and trashed it, but that was very straight forward. They cut me a check after I had their direct repair facility write an estimate and I bought a different bumper with the money and bolted it on. They probably aren’t going to replace that wheel. It’s very minor damage and a wheel repair shop can fix that for like $100.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Yeah, I guess I should specify. Getting rid of it isn’t on the table. This is my dream truck. I had it delivered from a dealership several hours away because it’s exactly what I wanted and I plan to keep it long term.

I’m trying to decide if I should just have the insurance company put it back to stock or if I should somehow try to spin this into a positive thing and use the opportunity to upgrade.

Our Jeeps don't stay stock for long so take my advise with a grain of salt. That said, factory wheels are overpriced so that should help getting enough out of the insurance company to offset the upgrade. I found a deal on here when my '23 mojave only had 1100 miles on it for 4x37s from Walmart for $412 shipped. 2" AEV lift got ordered the same day. Sold the 33" take offs for $600. Not a bad day when you can move to big tires and a lift for $300. More comparable to your situation my 2017 Ram rebel had 800 miles on it when the hostess at our favorite restaurant backed into the corner of the bumper and broke the tail light. The insurance check covered a new steel bumper (replacing the stock plastic one), new led tail lights, and a new muffler to get some more rumble out of the 5.7L and still left me with $200 in my pocket. Obviously I lean towards spinning it into a positive.

 

[NC_Overland]

Our Jeeps don't stay stock for long so take my advise with a grain of salt. That said, factory wheels are overpriced so that should help getting enough out of the insurance company to offset the upgrade. I found a deal on here when my '23 mojave only had 1100 miles on it for 4x37s from Walmart for $412 shipped. 2" AEV lift got ordered the same day. Sold the 33" take offs for $600. Not a bad day when you can move to big tires and a lift for $300. More comparable to your situation my 2017 Ram rebel had 800 miles on it when the hostess at our favorite restaurant backed into the corner of the bumper and broke the tail light. The insurance check covered a new steel bumper (replacing the stock plastic one), new led tail lights, and a new muffler to get some more rumble out of the 5.7L and still left me with $200 in my pocket. Obviously I lean towards spinning it into a positive.

I’ll be shocked if they pay to replace that wheel vs refinishing it. The only time they approve wheel replacement is if it’s bent, structurally compromised, or has major cosmetic damage. That’s minor cosmetic damage with no structural damage. Every reputable body shop has a wheel refinishing company for damage like that. It’ll only cost them about $100.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I’ll be shocked if they pay to replace that wheel vs refinishing it. The only time they approve wheel replacement is if it’s bent, structurally compromised, or has major cosmetic damage. That’s minor cosmetic damage with no structural damage. Every reputable body shop has a wheel refinishing company for damage like that. It’ll only cost them about $100.

Possibly, but I'd still upgrade to 35s on the stock wheels personally.

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