My trunk burned up at Cleveland Spring getting new leaf packs installed. spark came up through a hole and fire, smoke and all hell broke loose --- speakers damaged, headline toast, smoke damage all over, rear seat has melted stuff on it and rear right interior panel is GRILLED CHEESE.

Shop told me to get three quotes and that their insurance will cover it ---- this gets tricky tho right? What if it's "totaled" We all know KBB is bull crap for what our jeeps are worth.

Where the hell is a shop gonna get interior stuff for a 95 cherokee two door??? and what if the repair is more than the "VALUE" -- part of me thinks this could be bad news. part of me wants to think i'm gonna get a new interior!!

Any thoughts or anyone who has been through something similar with an old vehicle??

95 Cherokee 2door.

 

I feel that this will be a donor required to repair situation. I'd imagine the cost of reupholstering anything that's not melted but stained, and sourcing and shipping all of the damaged plastics would soon add up. I'm guessing that the 2 doors are hard to get over there, I've only seen one for breaking on ebay in the year I've been looking at Cherokees.

 

If you want to repair the Jeep, then go get three quotes from repair facility/bodyshops. Don't worry about the value as the Cleveland Spring deductible on their garage keepers liability policy is probably over $10000. Be fair with them and they will more than likely be fair with you, however I think a free leaf spring replacement is also due.

 

I feel like these are the two options..... a donor project or the shop will do as they say and take care of me. i lot of work has gone into this jeep. I know you guys know what I mean -- I wouldn't even own tools if it wasn't for dealing with this thing the past year lol.

boxburn you're right, they are not easy to find over here in decent shape. Thanks guys for the imput. I won't lose hope

 

I would have a chat with the shop about their Insurance Policy coverage limit...they must feel terrible and want to help you, hopefully Bruce is right,
because under a conventional Insurance policy, that would be a write-off imo

When mine got smashed, the Insurance company offered me a lousy $2400...but you get the vehicle and can repair it yourself
I did successfully standover the people that smashed mine for extra as it was worth way more

it is fixable though, just take you a fair while to get all the parts, and have them fitted
must be extremely disappointing

 

If they try to say it is "totaled" just look for car adds that show how much your xj can be worth just get a bunch of adds that are a liitle bit on the high side because they will always try to cut you down .

 

I agree, get them 3 quotes like they have asked you. I'd bring more than 3, just to show them you care about the Jeep.
- if you agreed, you are working for them (the shop that torched you Jeep). Keep track of your time, mileage, rental car, etc...
- value up the "non-Jeep" stuff that got toasted.

If they offer a cash value, let us know. I'm SURE you will get additional responses. Just tell the company you need a day or two to think about it.

 

Get ahold of Macsusedcars0 and Deadjeeps on ebay. Use the Advanced Search at the upper right of the page. Both sellers do part outs and may have some of what you need, even being a 2 door. Maybe. We have a classifieds section here on the forums as well.

Dont forget about the wiring.

 

Feedback appreciated... Fb97xj1 I am going to look into the ebay search you mentioned to see what's out there.

I'm taking it to a trim shop Monday morning. Suburban Top and Trim here in Cleveland - The guy on the phone to me to drop it off the THEY will deal with the spring shops insurance.

I will keep you all posted. thank you for the resources and help!

 

man you are right! these guys have stuff you JUST CAN'T find anywhere else... thanks!

 

Blue books are for dealers in the business of buying and reselling cars for quick profit. The books are not for owner and enthusiast of classic cars.


If the insurance company isn't willing to recognize the differences between book and actual fair market values of your classic vehicle you could show him / her a spreadsheet or two quantifying the chump change cost of operation and maintenance and the XJ's continued climb in value over the last seven years with a projection for the next ten.
Then tell him/her to start checking the insurance company recovery lots because the only thing you'd settle for at this time is a replacement XJ in like condition, mileage and real market value.

Speaking for myself, If the shop was cool with me and wanted to fix it in house I'd settle for them fixing it with good used parts so the patina matches and tossing in the springs for the inconvenience. If they were really decent I'd consider offering to pay for the spring installation just like before the fire. As a formerly ASE certified mechanic I get that not only is labor fixing your XJ a cost they might be eating it's also a missed opportunity for another booking. A double whammy if you will.

Biocide systems Auto Shock should remove the burnt smell from the interior. I know it kills mold including the roots and removes cigar smoke smells.

 

Don't confuse a business liability insurance with your own comprehensive insurance for your vehicle. You have an agreement with -your- insurance company, you do -not- have an agreement with someone else's insurance company.

They can not simply 'total' your vehicle. That is something that -your- insurance company can do, because you have agreed to it up front (check your policy).

They are obligated to 'make you whole'. They don't get to decide what that means on their own. They may try to settle with you quickly to get it over with, they may try to push you in a certain direction, but they do not get to decide on their own how to make you whole. They may say that it is 'common practice' or that their 'policy' is to.... but that doesn't matter. But if they are difficult, you will have to get legal representation involved. Sometimes that adds so much more cost, that it is not worth it.

 

Even when repaired, good luck getting that burnt plastic smell out. May take years.

 

Very solid advise.... thank you guys. Monday it goes to shop... then we'll see what comes next

 

From what I can see and tell, nothing 2 door specific was burned which means parts are easier to find. If the rear quarter window is damaged that is specific, but the rear seat, rear quarter trim and hatch should all be 2 or 4 door.