So I have some legit numbers to fight with the insurance company, I need some information. Going from gmpartsdirect.com, I need to know everything that needs to be replaced inbetween the radiator and front bumper, and the technical name for it.

So far I have the "Honeycomb Reinforcement", front bumper, fenders, and hood. The headlight bracket will need to be replaced, as well as the foglight brackets. What other internal stuff would need to get replaced?

 

When you get an insurance estimate, they should list everything that they estimate is needed for repair (with list prices).

 

If all that stuff has to be replaced the insurance company will probably have the body shop get a front clip from a salvage yard. It usually ends up being cheaper as there will be a ton of small parts needed that will add up to total your car.

Have you gotten an estimate from a body shop or had the insurance company appraise the damage?

 

Its extremely hard to find Camaros around here for the front clip thing. The insurance company looked at it and said something like 10k in damage, but I'm just not getting that number..even factoring in the small things, I'm still only up to around 4-5k.

 

Are the rails or radiator core support bent? If so, you can add extra for being on a frame machine for measurement at least (2 hours) if not some pulling and replacing parts. Don't forget labor and paint. It gets expensive. If your radiator was damaged your a/c condensor probably was as well. Did the bags blow? Is there any way you could post pics of the damage, both on the outside and under the hood?

 

trust me, the insurance estimates are almost always low... so if they're saying 10K, trust it... infact it'll probably be even more when they tear it apart and start fixing it.

My Brother is a tech with 20+ years experience, and one of my friends is a manager at a large collision shop chain around here; I know the business.

It's not just parts either... it's remove & Install time, paint prep, paint, materials, frame machine time, fixing any collaterial damage that you can't detect; there's a LOT of stuff in an estimate that you wouldn't even think of as someone on the street.

 

I agree. The insurance estimates are most often lower than actual shop costs, because you know they are not going to overpay. Now, if you take what they give you and do it yourself, then you can save some money (maybe half or more).

 

so if they say 10k, there probably going to total it.

 

see how much they want for a buy back, and go from there. Should be around $600, part it out or fix it if the frames not bent.. It all depends on how many miles, what year, parts, etc.. You could make out ok on this..

 

I'd get as much money from them as I could if the frame isn't bent and replace everything myself and then have it repainted. It can't be too much worse than doing a front end conversion. Besides if you do it yourself you can save a few $ and put the nose on a diet by removeing the front bumper support and just making a small bracket to hold it in place.

 

ReNxWar,

I see your in NC. I live near Charlotte and I know of a salvage yard that has plenty of parts near by that you could get for some decent prices. If your not too far away I could even help you get the stuff if you needed me too. Just PM me and let me know what you need. If your car is in good shape and you can fix it I would.

 

Alittle update, after consulting a body shop he said theres a good amount of frame damage, so I'm parting it out. I actually bought it back for 50$, and in the end I'll be getting about 1000$ from the insurance company, after my loan gets paid off. So I'll have 1000$ plus all proceeds from parting it out to go towards a new car. Thanks for the help, guys.

 

what car are you parting out?