Short hypothetical answer: Totaled

 

It has nothing to do with Pontiac being dead (especially since it's a Holden). It has everything to do with Holden halting production of a lot of parts and the high cost for most of the repair parts anyway.

 

So a wrecked goat, in the eyes of the insurance companies, is a dead goat? Even a minor collision? That sucks to hear. Even with the possibility of buying it back from the insurance company would leave you with a tainted title. While that may or may not matter to some people, I know that "tainted titles" can be somewhat more expensive to insure.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

So a wrecked goat, in the eyes of the insurance companies, is a dead goat? Even a minor collision?

No. They treat the GTO no differently than any other vehicle, whether it be a Ferrari or a Toyota. Boils down to repair costs vs. vehicle value. They will use aftermarket replacement or used parts, if necessary.

 

My car just got in a small fender bender (literally) The person hit me and my fender needs to be replaced. $911 part! Insurance is covering it. No issues

 

So a wrecked goat, in the eyes of the insurance companies, is a dead goat? Even a minor collision?

Not really, they will obviously try their hardest to find the parts to repair. Insurance companies are in the business to make money, so if the part exists and it's cheaper to fix than do the complete write-off...they will do so.

Parts aren't 100% gone yet, there are still some aftermarket body pieces and used ones to be found. So it's not quite to that point yet.

Mine was fixed for over 8k last year around this time, so you could say that was a pretty major claim.

 

In Virginia the repair cost has to exceed 75% of the value of the vehicle in order to total it. So assuming they value it at $10k, that $7500 of repair goes pretty far.

 

I have started to slowly gather new and/or used OEM parts to fix my car in case it gets into a fender bender later down the road. As I come across removable body panels that are YJ in color and in near mint shape, I grab them. Same with soft parts.
I already have an extra deck lid and working on fenders right now. If something does happen and it is something I could easily fix myself, provided there is no frame damage. Otherwise a body shop can use them if something happens.

The worst thing that will happen is if I sell the car in the future those parts will resell without a problem.

 

While the higher cost of replacement parts makes it more likely for our cars to be totaled especially higher mile ones they still do repair them. I have had four insurance claims on two GTOs in five years including one total that I bought back and fixed. With the totaled one four years ago the other parties insurance paid me $21k for my 41k mile 2006 and after buying it back for $6k I was able to fix it for under $4k with no actual exterior paint work done by the body shop.

My latest experience was over the last two weeks as I was rear ended by a civic that went under mine and it totaled him. No damage to the trunk lid or fenders. Rear bumper cover and insert, SLP Loudmouth 2 exhaust, rear bottom trunk panel where the spare tire sits, one taillight, bumper crash bar and the insert panel on the truck lid where the license plate is all were to be replaced. They covered painting the bumper cover and trunk insert. His insurance paid $6400 with $3500 being new GM parts that are all still available and $940 for the aftermarket exhaust. The rest was labor for R&R of parts, pulling a portion of the spare area and the actual paint.

I am getting the check sent to me, gathering my own parts and paying the body shop directly. I can get all the parts for under $2000 including the exhaust with the only large part that I have to order new being the rear panel which I sourced from one of the discount GM distributors for 2/3 the price of the dealership. I spent a couple of hours online netting most parts needed in good used shape. I already had the trunk insert I in my QSM color off an extra truck I bought for $150 and was going to use for a future spoiler delete for one of my GTOs.

My actual cost will be potentially a lot less if I decide to use the parts off my 06 parts car that I was contemplating fixing to put back on the road since it only has 38k miles with some front end damage and no drivetrain.

I have tried to pick up extra parts especially in my color for future use when I can since I plan on driving my two cars for many years to come.