I know you guys would be hip on how this specifically works in MI.
My Yukon was involved in a wreck last week - front end damage that looks to be repairable. The thing is, it went through some brush/woods and is trail rashed....I think the paint work is putting it over threshold for repair. I received a cryptic voicemail from the appraiser on Friday saying the vehicle is "non-repairable", so my assumption is he's deeming it totalled. I am waiting for him to call me back.
I am tempted to repurchase it and repair it myself, but I don't know how that works in MI.
So, insurance calls it a total loss, cuts me a check...if they come back with a good number, I purchase from them (or they just net the two and cut me a smaller check). Does title change hands, or do I just keep the title? For what it's worth, it's mine free and clear - no leins on it. From where what happens? I have to repair and get it certified? Or if I buy it outright and keep the title, is it never listed as salvage? What happens if I want to repair with junkyard parts - from what I read, I would have to show where I got the parts from to have the state police recertify it?
For what it's worth, the damage is the hood, bumper, grille, and lighting. I don't think the fenders were impacted. I am betting the radiator support will need replacement, and radiator/trans cooler/PS coolers are most likely gone but maybe survived. If I pursue this, I will go over the vehicle in detail to understand what would need replacement before I commit to repurchase. The impact was more toward the driver's side, still very centralized. I think the hit is just inside the frame rail. Appraiser did say he couldn't get it to power up to get the mileage - I am thinking maybe the battery crapped out due to the impact. I could take a jump box over and see if I can get it to power up.
I know it'll pretty much be worthless on the market, but it's a solid vehicle and I am thinking I may just hang onto it as a spare if I can get it cheap enough.

My Yukon was involved in a wreck last week - front end damage that looks to be repairable. The thing is, it went through some brush/woods and is trail rashed....I think the paint work is putting it over threshold for repair. I received a cryptic voicemail from the appraiser on Friday saying the vehicle is "non-repairable", so my assumption is he's deeming it totalled. I am waiting for him to call me back.
I am tempted to repurchase it and repair it myself, but I don't know how that works in MI.
So, insurance calls it a total loss, cuts me a check...if they come back with a good number, I purchase from them (or they just net the two and cut me a smaller check). Does title change hands, or do I just keep the title? For what it's worth, it's mine free and clear - no leins on it. From where what happens? I have to repair and get it certified? Or if I buy it outright and keep the title, is it never listed as salvage? What happens if I want to repair with junkyard parts - from what I read, I would have to show where I got the parts from to have the state police recertify it?
For what it's worth, the damage is the hood, bumper, grille, and lighting. I don't think the fenders were impacted. I am betting the radiator support will need replacement, and radiator/trans cooler/PS coolers are most likely gone but maybe survived. If I pursue this, I will go over the vehicle in detail to understand what would need replacement before I commit to repurchase. The impact was more toward the driver's side, still very centralized. I think the hit is just inside the frame rail. Appraiser did say he couldn't get it to power up to get the mileage - I am thinking maybe the battery crapped out due to the impact. I could take a jump box over and see if I can get it to power up.
I know it'll pretty much be worthless on the market, but it's a solid vehicle and I am thinking I may just hang onto it as a spare if I can get it cheap enough.
