Expert: Bennie719 - 1/7/2008

Question
i was offered 5800 to begain repairs on my 99 gmc 2500 after a rear end at 60 mph.  damage was not as bad as it could have been as i was still moving,  to the point,  allstate is the insured's coverage,  the truck is worth 12,500 blue book,  they missed several items for repair and low priced all items needed,(spring 166 when it cost 258 ect).
trade value day prior was 10,500 at a local dealer i was looking at,  now they will  offer 5500 after repaired, less then the repairs as of now.  what steps should i take next as i do not want to repair the truck,  but 6000 is not even a close repair cost or diminished value price.
do i have to have it repaired to get more ?  
site is very helpful,  i will ask for a tear down in the morning as repairs are not started yet after allsate said if i did not like there offer go to my coverage,  which i now found out is  not right either.    
question --- how or what should my next step be ? i want out of the truck not to be repaired.    mike in oregon

Answer
Hi Mike,
I'm sorry to hear of your problem, but I see no way around your delima unless the shop is able to find about $2,500 in 'hidden' damages when they remove the sheetmetal.
Neither your own company or Allstate is going to total the vehicle with approximately $6,000 in damages that has a value of $10,500+.
You should be able to receive about $1,050 - $1,550 from Allstate as a 'diminished value' claim.
It sounds like the local dealer is giving you a lowball also.  There is no way that $6,000 in repaired damages should reduce the trade in value of your truck by $5,000.
I hope this has been of help.
Good luck,
Bennie