Insurance is totaling my truck.

[TheWhiteElephant]

There are a few things to consider, and with all due respect and without wanting to step on any toes here, this thread has a lot of misinformation about your situation.

First, is it the at-fault party's insurance that is paying your damages, or is it your own insurance company that is paying your damages through your collision coverage? CCC uses values for comparable vehicles in your own market based on your zip code. They DO NOT have to stay within 100 miles. If there are not enough comparable vehicles in your market, they can definitely expand.

The tough part of using a "custom" older vehicle as a daily driver is that it is not necessarily "special" to a market. In other words, you may have a $10K paint job or $5K wheels that will actually hurt the value of the vehicle because an interested buyer may not want your paint job or wheels. Same principle as having an airbrushed anything on your hood.

Maintenance receipts will not necessarily add value to your vehicle, but they will definitely HURT the value if it is lacking in maintenance. In other words, a brand new windshield or a new A/C system, new radiator, new belts, etc. will not bring up a vehicle's value in a market because a potential buyer would expect these things to work when considering a purchase. On the other hand, if your windshield has cracks, needs belts, A/C doesn't work, then you better believe that the buyer will use that against you. If the receipts are fairly recent, they should help you in some way, but don't expect dollar for dollar value.

When your vehicle is declared a total loss, you do have the option of "buying" it back from the insurance company. In other words, they will offer you a value to take the vehicle--pay you market value, taxes, and title transfer fees less deductible (if using your own policy--no deductible applies if the at-fault carrier is paying you). If you want to keep the vehicle, they will pay you market value (with no taxes) less the salvage quote--the guaranteed value that a local auction will get when auctioning the salvage.

If the other party is paying your damages, agreed values/stated values mean nothing. These terms only apply to your own policy and only if you are using your own policy. One thing to consider that MIGHT be an option is to ask the insurance company if they can determine the value of your vehicle as a "specialty/custom" vehicle.

When the insurance company makes you an offer, they are obligated to provide paperwork to you that fully explains HOW they arrived at that offer. They should have a printout explaining all this in detail.

The other sad fact about market values is that for example, a 1979 Chevy is just that--a 30+ year old vehicle, so the "comparables" they find are in all likelihood NOT going to be comparable to your vehicle since your vehicle is not your average 1979 truck.

If you don't have collision coverage on your policy, it would be pointless to notify your insurance company because they will only get involved if you have the proper coverage to repair your damage.

One of the biggest determining factors in values is mileage and condition. And did I mention mileage? Your truck looks to be in above average shape.

Above all, take the advice you read on an internet forum (including mine) with a grain of salt. Do your own research and a huge word of advice--keep cool and reasonable. If the adjuster sees that you are a reasonable person just trying to be indemnified, then there is a big chance that she will really want to help you and work to get the value you feel is fair.

Last thing--insurance laws in Texas are VERY different from insurance laws in other U.S. states, so advice being offered here may be totally incorrect if coming from someone in another state.

I hope this helps.