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[quote=Anonymous]We own a 20 year old pickup truck with 250,000 miles.  It's been extremely reliable, and was in really good shape considering its age and mileage.  Our teenage DS uses it for school, part time work, etc.  Several weeks ago, it was hit while parked in front of our house.  The driver, who left their information and is admitting responsibility, did some damage: the left taillight/brake light was shattered and there is a significant dent on the left rear end and left side all the way to the rear left tire.  We were able to get a replacement light (although it is only screwed in on the right side - the top and bottom left could not be screwed in due to the damage.)  We've driven it and it feels "normal" but we haven't had it professionally looked at yet.

DH and I are arguing with how to proceed.  The insurance company, USAA, and the autobody shop we've used in the past, Lindsay Collisoin, have both advised us that they will most likely "total" the vehicle based strictly on our verbal description of the damage and the age and mileage of the truck.  Neither one of us wants to buy another car IF it is [b]road safe, passes VA State Inspection.[/b]   If USAA does deem it totaled, one option we have is they will give us the salvage value and allow us to keep the vehicle.  Then we can get it fixed (at least get the light securely attached) without being out of pocket.

My DH is acting like a "deer in the headlights."  He's not doing anything because he's afraid the estimate will tell us the truck is totaled.  But we need an estimate to know how to proceed.  Does anyone have a body shop that will give us an estimate to make it "road safe" but not making it look like a brand new truck.  Or do we go ahead and take it to Lindsay (or similar shop) and take our chances that it's totaled?[/quote]

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