Totaled Cosmetic Only - What to do?!!

[Pointer 21]

Looking to get opinions on this situation:

2012 - Yukon Denali AWD
192K miles
Original Owner
Transmission Replaced @ 152,000
ALL OEM SUSPENSION REPLACED @ 160,000 (+/-)
Powerstop Brakes/Drums/Rotors @ ~ 165,000
Radiator: 185,000
Leveling kit/1.5 Blocks in Rear
Nitto Recon Grapplers 285/50/22 with 25K
AC Fan/Misc parts replaced 5/2025
BlackBear Tune

Dillima: A tree fell on the vehicle only causing cosmetic damage; however, the vehicle is likely totaled. The damage is only to the passenger side rear cabin, rear door and passenger front door

I've put some money in keeping her going and it's been a great vehicle. I'm due for an upgrade but I can't say there is much I'd be confident in buying these days.

Insurance has been a pain to work with and (after a month) is saying I need to take it in for a body shop estimate and it's sounding like the vehicle will likely be totaled.

I'm bummed and realize I'm about togo to battle with the carrier.

A.) Should I consider a salvaged title and keep driving
B.) Get as much money as possible and walk
C.) Any other options

Appreciate any insight anyone can provide on what my options are and.....any suggestions on a new or "Newer" model truck to consider replacing it with would be appreciated. Seems like they're all junk!

***Also any insight on having a salvaged title vehicle pros/cons/likely outcomes....

MANY Thanks!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'd say that would be a challenge to repair.

 

[Marky Dissod]

In your shoes, I'd
keep it / use it as an emergency runner/parts car
get ANOTHER GMT921/922/926 - shorthand for '07-'14 Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade w/ 116.0" wheelbase - in better shape (obviously) with similar or maybe less miles
slowly xfer your favorite parts from your old one to the newer one.

Edit: 116.0" wheelbase, not 166.0"!

 

[Pointer 21]

In your shoes, I'd
keep it / use it as an emergency runner/parts car
get ANOTHER GMT921/922/926 - shorthand for '07-'14 Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade w/ 166.0" wheelbase - in better shape (obviously) with similar or maybe less miles
slowly xfer your favorite parts from your old one to the newer one.

I have a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado with 167K miles on it - Another old but well running truck. I'd love to sell both vehicles and get ONE Truck (not SUV). Getting top value and finding a reliable newer truck seems to damn near impossible. Consider that right now (aside from cosmetic damage) the Yukon is running well. Is there an argument to be made of "sell your truck while it's still running'? or is hanging on the Best financial decision/ The nuances of small repairs all the time and squeaks are getting old...

 

[Doubeleive]

that sucks, the roof can be replaced but whoo-ee that's a lot of work, which calculates into cost of repair versus value of the vehicle, hence why the insurance company will total it.
as much as I like mine if that happened I would try to get as much as possible from insurance,
hint. any power train work in the last 12 month is added to the total value.
then cut my losses by removing any and all upgrades or recently replaced parts and buy another one and put them on it.
things like this is why I keep many of my old parts in the backyard

 

[Pointer 21]

that sucks, the roof can be replaced but whoo-ee that's a lot of work, which calculates into cost of repair versus value of the vehicle, hence why the insurance company will total it.
as much as I like mine if that happened I would try to get as much as possible from insurance,
hint. any power train work in the last 12 month is added to the total value.
then cut my losses by removing any and all upgrades or recently replaced parts and buy another one and put them on it.
things like this is why I keep many of my old parts in the backyard

So take off my aftermarket parts and as opposed to taking a savage title, let insurance have the vehicle?

 

[strutaeng]

Sorry to hear that. Was that by change those limbs on that tree that fell on it?

Looks like door needs replacing, which isn't bad (but you also said front door...) The other sheetmetal on tbe roof probably needs cutting and new pieces rewelded. Not a DIY project unless you've done sheetmetal welding before. After that, it's a basic body filler, prime, and paint job. Photos show a lot of glare, BTW.

Maybe get a quote from a smaller shop before committing. I've seen some YT videos that do body work make some magic on straightening sheetmetal, after repainting.

I'm surprised the glass didn't break.

 

[Doubeleive]

So take off my aftermarket parts and as opposed to taking a savage title, let insurance have the vehicle?

yep, unless you want to drop more money into it. you could get a couple quotes to verify but I bet it is easily 5k+ or a lot more
if you live near the mexico border taking it down there gets substantially cheaper

 

[tooleyondeck]

If you're going with any truck that's 2014 or newer, (K2/T1) strongly consider getting an HD with the Non-AFM 6.0 or 6.6. I believe all the way up to 2019 still had a 6.0 Gen IV LS, then 6.6 L8T in 2020.

Also, have you considered a body swap on your Tahoe?

 

[Pointer 21]

Sorry to hear that. Was that by change those limbs on that tree that fell on it?

Looks like door needs replacing, which isn't bad (but you also said front door...) The other sheetmetal on tbe roof probably needs cutting and new pieces rewelded. Not a DIY project unless you've done sheetmetal welding before. After that, it's a basic body filler, prime, and paint job. Photos show a lot of glare, BTW.

Maybe get a quote from a smaller shop before committing. I've seen some YT videos that do body work make some magic on straightening sheetmetal, after repainting.

I'm surprised the glass didn't break.

Yessir - That tree did me dirty!! The rest of the truck is fine; however, it's getting those "almost 200K" nuances of small issues, squeaks, etc. I'm really not wanting a new vehicle I don't know what I'd buy even if money weren't a factor!

 

[Pointer 21]

If you're going with any truck that's 2014 or newer, (K2/T1) strongly consider getting an HD with the Non-AFM 6.0 or 6.6. I believe all the way up to 2019 still had a 6.0 Gen IV LS, then 6.6 L8T in 2020.

Also, have you considered a body swap on your Tahoe?

Are you referring to the 6.6 Liter Diesel? I'm considering a Diesel (I don't quite haul enough to justify it) but I'm wide open to anything that is half as reliable aa this vehicle has been for me. Considering I get 11.5 mpg and use premium fuel a diesel rig might save me money. My preference WOULD'VE BEEN a 6.2 1500 Sierra. I can't tell which models are ok - maybe the 2019 2020 with the 10 Speed transmission? I have no clue but my research isn't giving me the warm and fuzzy...

 

[alvocado]

I had a 2008 Audi A6, 160k miles and in exceptional condition as I did all the maintenance and repairs. My son, 18 years old and just graduated high school, rear ended someone doing 30 mph. It creased the hood, airbag deployed, broke the front grill and damaged a few components behind the grill like the radiator, etc. The car ran and drove fine despite dumping all the coolant.

The repair estimate was over $8k so insurance totaled it. I estimated I could fix everything for $3k doing all the mechanical work and paying a shop to source and paint a hood. It sold at Copart for $723 all in with fees. I kick myself for not buying and doing the repair as I would have been paid out and had the car back on the road for far less than it cost to replace it.

Net, take the payment and find out where the insurance company sends it. No one but you will know that the truck is mechanically updated and they'll just see the expensive and complicated roof repair. You'll likely have a shot to get it dirt cheap.

 

[BG1988]

Sorry to hear that. Was that by change those limbs on that tree that fell on it?

Looks like door needs replacing, which isn't bad (but you also said front door...) The other sheetmetal on tbe roof probably needs cutting and new pieces rewelded. Not a DIY project unless you've done sheetmetal welding before. After that, it's a basic body filler, prime, and paint job. Photos show a lot of glare, BTW.

Maybe get a quote from a smaller shop before committing. I've seen some YT videos that do body work make some magic on straightening sheetmetal, after repainting.

I'm surprised the glass didn't break.

well it is structural glass

 

[89Suburban]

Some lumber and hydraulic jacks will pop that roof back out.

 

[SpareParts]

Some lumber and hydraulic jacks will pop that roof back out.

Depending on buy back, that is where i would start.

 

[RST Dana]

Salvage titles mean struggles with insurance in the future. Some major companies won’t insure salvage title vehicles.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Looking to get opinions on this situation:

2012 - Yukon Denali AWD
192K miles
Original Owner
Transmission Replaced @ 152,000
ALL OEM SUSPENSION REPLACED @ 160,000 (+/-)
Powerstop Brakes/Drums/Rotors @ ~ 165,000
Radiator: 185,000
Leveling kit/1.5 Blocks in Rear
Nitto Recon Grapplers 285/50/22 with 25K
AC Fan/Misc parts replaced 5/2025
BlackBear Tune

Dillima: A tree fell on the vehicle only causing cosmetic damage; however, the vehicle is likely totaled. The damage is only to the passenger side rear cabin, rear door and passenger front door

I've put some money in keeping her going and it's been a great vehicle. I'm due for an upgrade but I can't say there is much I'd be confident in buying these days.

Insurance has been a pain to work with and (after a month) is saying I need to take it in for a body shop estimate and it's sounding like the vehicle will likely be totaled.

I'm bummed and realize I'm about togo to battle with the carrier.

A.) Should I consider a salvaged title and keep driving
B.) Get as much money as possible and walk
C.) Any other options

Appreciate any insight anyone can provide on what my options are and.....any suggestions on a new or "Newer" model truck to consider replacing it with would be appreciated. Seems like they're all junk!

***Also any insight on having a salvaged title vehicle pros/cons/likely outcomes....

MANY Thanks!

Shoot dude, I say skip the insurance claim and just smooth her out a bit for the 200k that's on her... That's a decent run. Me personally, could live with that rear roof/window on a car I bought new over a decade ago. New door and spit shine...
But get quotes and see what they say. You can always tell your insurance company to forget it.

 

[Sir_Hiro]

Honestly if money is tight and a new car isnt a viable option right now..Run it. If that rear window doesnt leak and it still runs and drives fine. I would run it till I had more financial freedom to replace it. Sounds like you dumped a bit of coin into it, would be a shame to get rid of it for cosmetic damage.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I had a similar situation with my Suburban. It was totaled and they only wanted to give me $4800 for it. But I would have to sign my title over to them. I said no, I want to keep the vehicle. Then then offered me $3500 and I get to keep the vehicle, so I went that route. I did NOT sign my title over to them, so nothing was changed on my title. However, I do have an "accident with significant damage" listed on the Carfax history for my truck now.
I ended up needing a new hood, headlights, grill, and front bumper. Plus I had to fix a transmission leak, because the factory transmission cooler was busted in the accident. I took the opportunity to upgrade to a huge aftermarket Hayden transmission cooler. I installed mostly junkyard and aftermarket parts to replaceall the damaged body parts, I got it all fixed up for less than a thousand bucks. But I still haven't had it repainted.
If you can get your insurance to cut you a check WITHOUT having to do anything with your title, then I would definitely go that route. I'd honestly probably try to replace the roof rack, and see if there's anything that be be done to straighten the roof out. Other than the roof rack and maybe straighten the roof out as best as you can yourself, I'd probably leave the doors and roof as-is after replacing the roof rack with another one from the junkyard.

 

[swathdiver]

Looking to get opinions on this situation:

There's a fella with a YouTube channel named Vehcor and his name is Scott. You could contact him via Facebook or Instagram or call his shop outside of Chicago. He could fix that and has done those kinds of repairs with your very vehicle on his channel.

If that tree fell on mine, I'd drive it up there and have Scott fix it. Maybe he'd even make a video series out of it.