Need Advice: Cybertruck Collision – Total Loss or Repair?

[TJCJr9999]

Hey everyone,

Looking for advice from folks here who’ve had experience with insurance claims, repairs, or major damage with their Cybertruck. I was recently involved in a serious collision—an F-150 hit my Cybertruck on the driver’s side at roughly 30-40mph.
• Front and rear airbags deployed
• Driver side damage is significant
• Truck had less than 3000 miles
• Original purchase was $87,990 (AWD with FSD)
• I’ve also added ~$10K in upgrades (wrap, tint, tires, running boards)
• I’m insured through Tesla Insurance

The body shop already ordered parts and says it’s repairable, but I’m concerned about the long-term implications—especially with the structural damage and airbag deployment.

I have a few questions for anyone who’s been through something similar:

1. Do you think Tesla Insurance will total the truck despite the body shop’s intent to fix?
2. If it is totaled, what kind of payout should I realistically expect from Tesla Insurance?
3. If it’s repaired, will it ever truly be the same?
4. Any red flags I should watch out for during the process?
5. Would you push to total it, given the extent of the damage?

I’d appreciate any feedback, shared experiences, or tips. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and trying to make sure I don’t overlook something important.

Thanks in advance

Evolve EV guys, know more about EVs then anyone..... https://www.youtube.com/@evolveevcare
This guy rebuilt a totaled CT

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[REM]

Well I finally got my truck back 4 1/2 months later. Here is what it looked like a few weeks ago and today it’s like new.

Was this repair conducted in a 3rd party shop and not Tesla?

 

[CTMichael]

Was this repair conducted in a 3rd party shop and not Tesla?

A Tesla Approved Collision Center

 

[REM]

A Tesla Approved Collision Center

Brother, I'm not trying to be a butthead here (just trying to set the tone of my reply), but there is no way in hell I would give this level of work to a third party; and I think insurance should have totalled it in the first place. It's truly perplexing that they agreed to do this amount of tear-down outside of their direct control.

Do you guys have diminished value claims available in California? If so, you absolutely positively need to file that claim. And, personally, I would hire a professional to make a full assessment, because it's probably the most complex case for such a provision. I wouldn't be surprised to see a dim. value of more than $10K

Please keep us updated as this adventure continues! This is valuable info for us all.

 

[That Beast Mode]

There are a few out there.

Damn and I thought I was being original.

 

[Mattkalin]

Brother, I'm not trying to be a butthead here (just trying to set the tone of my reply), but there is no way in hell I would give this level of work to a third party; and I think insurance should have totalled it in the first place. It's truly perplexing that they agreed to do this amount of tear-down outside of their direct control.

Do you guys have diminished value claims available in California? If so, you absolutely positively need to file that claim. And, personally, I would hire a professional to make a full assessment, because it's probably the most complex case for such a provision. I wouldn't be surprised to see a dim. value of more than $10K

Please keep us updated as this adventure continues! This is valuable info for us all.

I bet it’s closer to the tune of 25-30k

 

[eswimm]

Brother, I'm not trying to be a butthead here (just trying to set the tone of my reply), but there is no way in hell I would give this level of work to a third party; and I think insurance should have totalled it in the first place. It's truly perplexing that they agreed to do this amount of tear-down outside of their direct control.

Do you guys have diminished value claims available in California? If so, you absolutely positively need to file that claim. And, personally, I would hire a professional to make a full assessment, because it's probably the most complex case for such a provision. I wouldn't be surprised to see a dim. value of more than $10K

Please keep us updated as this adventure continues! This is valuable info for us all.

Honestly, I'd trust a reputable Tesla certified repair facility to do a better job than Tesla, especially given my experience with them removing/replacing trim without breaking it. My 2016 Model X P100DL was rear ended in June of 2020 to the tune of $57.5k in repairs, including cutting and replacing a section of the frame. Looked and drove perfect until I sold it 4 years later to buy my Cybertruck. I got $10.5k in diminished value. Was glad it was repaired, because I'd have been hard to find a comparable vehicle (FSD, FUSC, active spoiler).

I'm really impressed with how repairable the CT is, since repair is almost always financially preferable to having a vehicle totaled. Between sale price and DV, I got over $40k for an 8 yr old Model X and transferred the FSD and FUSC to a '24 Model Y (traded my wife's Model 3 for the CT since it didn't have anything worth transferring).

 

[dalton108]

Man, even with the skin off, CTs are impressive.

Almost even more so! Wow!

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I bet it’s closer to the tune of 25-30k

How can there be $30k of diminished value on a repaired $72k vehicle (current MSRP less credit)?

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