View Poll Results: Is it common for insurance to total out a bike for this tiny damage by a 3/8" bolt?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll
I need advice
I need advice
The insurance has totaled my 2004 HERITAGE SOFTAIL classic. With 9700 miles. In mint condition. Not a scratch on it. 30 MILES or less on brand new tires. Paid $1200 for tires and to fix a valve on gas tank. This was our first time out this year. Injury accident not my fault. But with this tab being bent on the middle of the frame it's a total loss, through pictures. No estimate.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Welcome from Wisconsin. I do believe that they total frames with a bent tab. There are much more knowledgeable people on here, that will chip in. I think you could fix the bike, but it would have a salvage title. If you want to keep the bike it wouldn't matter, but it would make it hard to sell.
You can have the frame replaced and have the old VIN stamped onto the new frame. As long as insurance doesn't total it, it's not a salvage.
The frame on my Springer cracked. I talked to the Insurance adjuster. He left that off the invoice and I paid out of pocket for the labor. The dealer swapped my bike into the new frame.
The frames cost about $3k. Assuming there's no other damage, it would be cheaper to replace the frame than total. But they will total it regardless of damage if the frame is damaged like that. Only thing you can do is talk to the adjuster and hope.
The frame on my Springer cracked. I talked to the Insurance adjuster. He left that off the invoice and I paid out of pocket for the labor. The dealer swapped my bike into the new frame.
The frames cost about $3k. Assuming there's no other damage, it would be cheaper to replace the frame than total. But they will total it regardless of damage if the frame is damaged like that. Only thing you can do is talk to the adjuster and hope.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,069
Likes: 2,373
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
Insurance companies are probably very uncomfortable when it comes to frame damage. Take the payout and buy a new one.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 801
Likes: 1,125
From: West Texas
Never dealt with myself, but a guy that worked for went through that. Some pretty minor damage, a twisted crash bar and tab bent like yours, insurance totaled the bike.
Like Ron pointed out, if they total it, you should have the option to buy it back from the insurance. If that is the only frame damage it wouldn't take much to fix it. The issue would be that it would have a salvage title. I imagine that Wyoming has a process for verifying repairs and allowing registration, but you need to look into that and potential future insurance issues before you make any decisions. Also, keep in mind if you try to sell it with a salvage title it will be worth about half what one with a clear title would bring.
Perhaps a new frame would avoid the salvage title issue, but I suspect you would have to pay for it yourself. The insurance company will look at the amount they pay you, less the amount they can recover when the sell it at auction. Totaling it would likely be the cheapest way for them to deal with the claim. Another thing to look at is if a new frame from the MoCo is even still available for a bike that old.
Unless it is something pretty special to you, I would probably take the payout and look for another bike.
Like Ron pointed out, if they total it, you should have the option to buy it back from the insurance. If that is the only frame damage it wouldn't take much to fix it. The issue would be that it would have a salvage title. I imagine that Wyoming has a process for verifying repairs and allowing registration, but you need to look into that and potential future insurance issues before you make any decisions. Also, keep in mind if you try to sell it with a salvage title it will be worth about half what one with a clear title would bring.
Perhaps a new frame would avoid the salvage title issue, but I suspect you would have to pay for it yourself. The insurance company will look at the amount they pay you, less the amount they can recover when the sell it at auction. Totaling it would likely be the cheapest way for them to deal with the claim. Another thing to look at is if a new frame from the MoCo is even still available for a bike that old.
Unless it is something pretty special to you, I would probably take the payout and look for another bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,526
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
For $400, I would have that bad boy taken apart and spread out all over the garage.
You really don't sound like that's your thing since you didn't fix a simple tank valve, so take the total payout and be done and move on. PS.. not knocking you. I understand it's not lots of people's thing.
I take my wheels off come tire time. Get my tires on line. Usually replace brake pads and spiff up the rear raw aluminum rim.
I do have them mounted and dynamic balanced with fixed weights. Cost me about $350 last time complete with Mitchlins tires.
You really don't sound like that's your thing since you didn't fix a simple tank valve, so take the total payout and be done and move on. PS.. not knocking you. I understand it's not lots of people's thing.
I take my wheels off come tire time. Get my tires on line. Usually replace brake pads and spiff up the rear raw aluminum rim.
I do have them mounted and dynamic balanced with fixed weights. Cost me about $350 last time complete with Mitchlins tires.