So, someone turned left while I had the green going straight, clipped me and performed a perfect PIT maneuver, causing my 2004 4Runner to land on its top, totaling it fortunately I am fine, but I’m worried about how to deal with insurance. I have witnesses and a green light, but haven’t seen the police report yet, but the other driver should be cited.

Anyway, that is the backstory, but I had a 2004 Sr5 156k a complete IronMan lift on it with 265-75-16 BFG AT KO2’s (5) with 40-60% tread left. I need advice on how to deal with insurance as I anticipate them screwing me. I know it was worth way more than they’ll value it.

Start checking CL, Auto Trader, and etc. in your area. I'd say $9K-10K is what I'd be looking for. Blue book and NADA are going to be much lower than market value.

2WD or 4WD, V6 or V8?

strip off what you can. then dig out any recent repair receipts, such as brake work, emissions, etc (stuff that you won't get back). present that stuff with the claim. recent expenses can be claimed, older stuff not usually.

Silly details forgot that info 4wd and V6

This is what i did for 16 years. Hope this helps.

The insurance co will not pay for extras you install especially if they are wear items and are over a few months old. Pull all non original parts off if you have the original parts to replace them. If there are new parts have receipts ready.

Most insurance companies use NADA. Do not go by market value as there are plenty of lower priced 4runners skewing values. Make sure you have all numbers ready with options and mileage additions and or subtractions.

If there was any old damage prior to the loss the insurance WILL deduct for the damage so be prepared for that. I mean ANY damage.

Do not release the vehicle to the insurance co until you get what you want or what is fair.

My suggestion is to go 3rd party which is go through the other insurance co. It actually works better for you in most instances. You get to keep the vehicle, there is no salvage value that is deducted for the settlement. It may take a little longer to get paid but it usually works out to about 300-700.00 more in your pocket. You can even strip the vehicle and make more money that way or take what you want and take it to a salvage auction, pay a small fee and make even more. 4th gen 4runners are flooding the salvage market now so you have a 50/50 chance of doing well at an auction.

Basically its up to you to do all your homework with figures, receipts, anything that can benefit you. The insurance company will do anything to pay as little as possible. The less they pay out the more they make at the salvage auction if you go through your own insurance.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by..."the other insureance co."...?

Which other insurance co. do you mean?

I would think there would only be one insurance co. that has to pay in most accidents, namely the driver's insurance co. who was at fault, or in the case of an uninsured driver your own insurance co. if you have "underinsured/uninsured motorist" coverage which is mandatory in many states.

Maybe it depends on the area, but this statement doesn't ring true for 4runners in my area. I just sold a 2005 4R and purchased another 2005 4R in the last month and a half. I checked CL, auto trader, NADA and Blue Book.

Thanks for that info! I am going through the other drivers insurance company since she was at fault. I think I will also lawyer up as I fully expect them to try screwing me.

You have 2 options with how you proceed with an insurance loss.

If you have collision coverage on your poliicy you can go through your own insurance who in most cases will be more sensitive to your needs whereas going through the other parties insurance you are a thorn in their side and in some cases it can become a royal PITA. There are benefits and cons to both ways, it just depends on what is going to work for you.

That may be true but when it comes to settling an insurance loss it is not advised to go by market value as because of this.

say you have a 06 limited that gets totalled and nada is 10,000, yet market value is 9000.00. There are 12 '06 limited 4runners ranging from 7k- 11k. The lower priced 4runners will actually bring down the value of the vehicle and cause you to get less back in the settlement. there are rare cases that market value is more than NADA but in all the years I have been doing this i could count on one hand the amount of times its happened.

I forgot to add this:

If you are in a state that has sales tax you are entitled to the sales tax back that you paid on your vehicle when you bought it.

Also since you are going 3rd party you are entitled to a like-kind rental which means a vehicle close to or comparable to what you drive. just make sure you tell the insurance company you NEED an SUV for whatever reason you see fit.

Thanks for all the info!

Why have I never heard about this sales tax thing? Is there a limit based on how long you've owned the vehicle?

My wife's Yaris was totaled a few years ago and we just took what our insurance offered because the other driver was uninsured. It paid off the vehicle and we were fine with it. Would have been nice to get the sales tax back though.

Most people do not know that you get sales tax back. If the ins co does not tell you and you don't know then you will never see it.