Value? 96 Tahoe Two door

[alsbirdie]

Hi,
Not sure where to post or how to get help, never had this situation. Yesterday I totaled my 96 Tahoe two door. Besides a broken heart, I will survive. I have full coverage on it. However, I am worried about the insurance company trying to tell me that its a 96 and has no or very little value. How do I go about proving that there is more value to it. Yes I have pictures but they are fighting me about everything and i want to be prepare. I dont think all my repair records will do me good.

Has anyone (I really hope not but...) had this experience. Nothing will replace this vehicle, but I need to not have them give me a thousand bucks, it is my only car and was in perfect running condition. I was down to new paint at this point.
Thank you

 

[tom3]

I've seen this before, and what you are describing is pretty much how it goes. Now matter what it costs to replace it they will give what their book lists, which is probably a couple thousand, or less. I actually would not have had full coverage on it myself, waste of premium money there. If the accident was not your fault and it was hit hard, might have been better to report an injury - for obvious reasons.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Maybe you can try and look at selling prices from other 2 doors online in similar condition as yours was, and show them that info when they low ball you.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Sorry to hear of your loss.
Would it be worth canceling the claim?
Has the 2 door got the value of parts that the insurance company are going to pay you out in money?
If you were able to find a replacement vehicle around the same year you could donor any salvageable parts on to your new.

 

[exp500]

First, find out the buyback number amount. Next, submit all parts receipts purchased for truck in last 2 years. I'm not sure if they pay shop labor on that, but I beleive they do, just not your labor. Good Luck!

 

[east302]

Check bringatrailer.com if you want the high-end prices.

No Reserve: 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 2-Door Sport Z71 4x4

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 2-Door Sport Z71 4×4 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #75,043.

bringatrailer.com

Otherwise get a bunch of ads together for comparable trucks and use that as your replacement cost. Find your policy and read the fine print to see what loopholes they’ll use.

Good luck, I’ve wondered about this myself.

 

[Swagfu]

Go to Kelly Blue Book and check the value. Then find some that are comparable in condition and mileage to yours and print out the ads. Show them to the insurance company since that what it will cost to replace your vehicle. That may help you some. Also, a lot will depend on who your insurance is with and what coverages you have. Remember, whatever they give you will be minus your deductible. Also, more information might help us help you. Was someone else at fault? Single car accident? How do you know it's totaled so fast? Can you buy it back and transfer all your newer parts over to a new vehicle? There are so many variables when it comes to insurance. If by some chance it isn't totaled ask to use the body shop of your choice and use original GM parts if available. Really all depends on your policy.

 

[wjburken]

Sorry to hear about your accident.

At the end of the day, it will all depend on what kind of coverage you have and what is spelled out in your policy. Carefully read your policy and make sure you understand exactly what the coverage is so you’re prepared for the conversation. If you don’t like their offer, you can refuse it, but they will likely go with Actual Cash Value and on a 26 year old vehicle, being in great condition for its age, will only account for so much because in their eyes it is still a 26 year old vehicle. If it was insured as a classic car, that may make a difference, but typically they won’t do that if it’s a daily driver.

 

[alsbirdie]

Thank you everyone. I am afraid of this being a live and learn, only because I went through this way back with another car. Someone was at fault, me , unfortunately. The brakes failed, I had the master cylinder replaced five Mo ago. I saw the traffic slowing way ahead and slowed down but when it came time to brake- nothing, nada, and I used the truck in front of me to stop me. Not a great scenario. The policeman looked at me like ya sure when I told him the brakes failed. No skid marks (the front tires of the car in front of me) no brake squealing, and no cell phone use in car. Not like I wasn't paying attention. it was like slow motion.

I hit the truck full on front end to his bumper and it completely crunched my front end. Could not get the driver door open and even the rear barn doors dont match up anymore. I am going to have them check the brakes .

I went on ebay and screen shot similar vehicles found a 96 2 door with 200 k miles at 13, 200. and several others in the 96-99 range. I did not have it registered as classic or historic, plates are due in July and I was going to rotate it over then (could have should have doesn't make any difference now )

Answering the other question, I do have every garage receipt for everything done on it since I purchased it, and most of the work was done in the last four years. Transmission, water pump, starter, alternator , ac . all the ball joints bushings wheel bearings arms the works, the gaskets and seals on the engine. Basically everything but the motor itself.

Mostly I am just sick about it. I had to go clean it out today, and it made me sad . Took me a year to find it to begin with and have been driving it for ten years.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Not sure where you're located, but here's a 2 dr in NJ.

1995 gmc yukon - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

1995 GMC Yukon approx 160k run great needs TLC very clean interior. Do not need help selling. Please call only. Selling locally. In person cash only.

cnj.craigslist.org

 

[Plato442]

Here’s one in SLC Utah.

1996 chevy 2 door tahoe
https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/67824776

 

[IH8ZOMBIES]

It's been a while since I was an adjuster but I assume it's the same basic process still. The insurance company will use a company like CCC One to get a value for your vehicle based on sales of comparable vehicles in your area. They try to get as many comps as possible but with a rarer vehicle it's harder. I sent that report to all of my claimants so they could see how the value was determined and they could argue the value. I would tell them to go on autotrader, cars.com, kbb, etc to look for recent sales and current listings and send them to me and I would change the value if necessary. Most of the time they got a few hundred or maybe a thousand more (every penny helps, right) but you never know, one guy got way more money because CCC's data was skewed. You can always keep the totalled rig, they will just subtract the auction value from your settlement.

 

[Swagfu]

Post where you are from and we can help you find a new one when ready. Here is a sweet 99 in Florida. https://orlando.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longwood-1999-chevrolet-tahoe-lt/7481985366.html
Would also need a price range. They are out there in a wide range of prices. Would a Yukon satisfy you as well? The value of these has gone way up if you want to replace yours with a 2 door. Would you consider a 4 door?

 

[YukonGTmaster]

Post where you are from and we can help you find a new one when ready. Here is a sweet 99 in Florida. https://orlando.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longwood-1999-chevrolet-tahoe-lt/7481985366.html
Would also need a price range. They are out there in a wide range of prices. Would a Yukon satisfy you as well? The value of these has gone way up if you want to replace yours with a 2 door. Would you consider a 4 door?

Wow! I didn’t know they were up in price so much. I am always worried that my 97 GT would only fetch $1500 from an insurance company.

On a side note, is there any documentation such as receipts or pictures that can help a claimant in these circumstances? I don’t think you can declare a value when you insure anymore?

 

[Swagfu]

Any pics or receipts could help. Certainly won't hurt. And sorry, I didn't realize it was a Yukon. Keep us posted on the happenings with your claim. I am sure we are all interested to see how it plays out.

 

[YukonGTmaster]

Any pics or receipts could help. Certainly won't hurt. And sorry, I didn't realize it was a Yukon. Keep us posted on the happenings with your claim. I am sure we are all interested to see how it plays out.

No, OP’s is a 96 Tahoe, mine is a 97 Yukon. I’m just trying to get my ducks in a row to qualify for collector plates, and want to make sure my insurance and documents reflect the value of the truck. Thanks.

 

[alsbirdie]

Arizona and here is a couple of pictures of it before .. sigh.. I have every receipt of every bit of work done on it. I was down to the cosmetic part, just paint the body was clean, and a headliner. I am not sure what they will give me, and I am not sure of anything at this point . No, I spent a year looking for this two door, a four door is not the same, and I drove this for ten years. I loved the body style of the two doors when they first came out, and vowed I would have one someday. It did not disappoint . I have seen the prices lately, just saw a two door 96 sell for 16k on ebay with 200k miles mine had 245k . waiting on insurance. Armed with all paperwork I can find just in case.

 

[YukonGTmaster]

Arizona and here is a couple of pictures of it before .. sigh.. I have every receipt of every bit of work done on it. I was down to the cosmetic part, just paint the body was clean, and a headliner. I am not sure what they will give me, and I am not sure of anything at this point . No, I spent a year looking for this two door, a four door is not the same, and I drove this for ten years. I loved the body style of the two doors when they first came out, and vowed I would have one someday. It did not disappoint . I have seen the prices lately, just saw a two door 96 sell for 16k on ebay with 200k miles mine had 245k . waiting on insurance. Armed with all paperwork I can find just in case. View attachment 372216View attachment 372215

Oh man! Nice truck. I hope all works out for you.

 

[east302]

On a side note, is there any documentation such as receipts or pictures that can help a claimant in these circumstances? I don’t think you can declare a value when you insure anymore?

You’d want an “agreed value” with your insurance versus a “stated value” policy. The former is where you and the insurance agree to the value usually based on an appraisal.

The latter is where you state a value (not necessarily having to provide any supporting documentation) which they use to set your premium. In the event of a loss, they’ll have the option to reimburse either your stated value or actual cash value, whichever is less. You can guess how that goes.

I’m looking into it myself, mainly as a result of reading this thread.

 

[alsbirdie]

Yes everyone should look at their insurance closely. Because all they want to give me is 5900 and that wont buy anything . so forewarned if anyone else has an older Tahoe or whatever please make sure you get insurance for what it is worth. and My insurance does not care that they are at an all time high for sales. So ends the story of my beloved Tahoe.