Here's one I can almost guarantee you've never heard.....

I was adding washer fluid under the hood of my '04 Sport Trac and I had left my driver side door open. It was super windy and the door slammed and deployed the side curtain airbags. Yes. True story!
USAA says the vehicle may be a total loss yet it is 100% driveable with no body damage and otherwise near perfect. (Aside from not being able to see out the side windows!)

So, I understand it is possible to acquire a totaled vehicle back from the insurance company or salvage yard, but I am curious what to do next. Do I find a service station to remove the deployed airbags, reset the headliner, reinstall the breakaway trim, and drive away? This is my 'airport car' that I use infrequently. Would I even be able to insure a salvaged vehicle? Should I part it out? It's otherwise in excellent condition.

Thanks all!

 

Welcome to the site..

Your claiming a total loss on/from your insurance? or questioned them as to the possibility of? Being an airport car, why not remove visablility issues, cut away the bags etc and just use it as is.

 

Being a 2004, the airbag is most likely $$$ more than the value of the vehicle, thus the total loss. ! would reach an agreed buy back price with the Ins Co on the vehicle and then do a slice and drive like Hayapower said. If you wanted the vehicle back to original state, then you could get the needed items from a salvage yard.