Actual roof replacement

[catesja]

Has anyone heard of needing to replace the entire roof because a tree landed on the rear 1/4 of it? My insurance wants to total my 2000 Montana because the replacement roof damage "exceeds the actual cash value" of the vehicle. They won't repair the few dents because this creates a potentail saftey issue.

Your comments!?!

[maxwedge]

The labor alone to do this is about 28 hours with paint plus the cost of the roof, about 900.00. Job is probably, with the usual additions about, 2900.00. In NYS the car is a total at 75% of retail. There must be more damage then just the roof sheet metal.

[catesja]

The roof, the rear door, and the rear upper quarter panel was damaged. But the roof alone they say was the killer. I finally got them to say that it was not a "true" satefy issue, because the roof is just a skin, the under supports may be damaged, and therefore would require the roof to be removed, at which point you might as well put a new roof on rather than repair the dents in it. My body man says that it can be straightened, but not perfectly. The supports are probably fine as the tree that hit it hit the roof rack first. Then slid a bit down the rear hatch. The rear hatch they want to replace because it would be cheaper to replace it than repair with the cost of the glass and labor, and paint. I understand, but the roof was my biggest concern. We will see what they say after Christmas!

[catesja]

Well, it is now mostly done. The roof was totally replaced, now for a few final touches like the roof rack, ridge strips, rear hatch emblem, etc. $5100 total!

[kb0nly]

Should have totalled it out, for $5100 i could buy another van of the same age or newer. Saw a nice looking one in the paper last week for $4800.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by kb0nly

Should have totalled it out, for $5100 i could buy another van of the same age or newer. Saw a nice looking one in the paper last week for $4800.

I know it's sickening the price of used cars today. The industry has changed so much in the past decade. Back in 1998 I bought a 1997 Chevrolet Venture with 16,125 miles on it for $19,995. Last October I bought a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander with 8,600 miles for only $16,995. Less miles and $3,000 less. I'm now seeing '06 Montanas at the same dealer for just under $15,000. You can get more vehicle for less money these days.