08' Limited - is it totaled?

[socalvert]

Last Tuesday, I was hit when another driver ran a red light as I was crossing the intersection. I walked away pretty much okay and I'm so thankful.

The body shop will not give an estimate on repair (or totaling it) until they get paperwork from the the other drivers insurance company and the paperwork will not be sent until the police report is completed, and they have closed their investigation. It's been over a week and I'm trying to be patient, but I'm driving a Ford Escape which has a small cargo capacity and my job requires large cargo capacity on a daily basis. I've driven Toyota's all of my life and I can't tell you how much I miss my 4Runner.

It could be 2-3 weeks before the police report is completed and in the meantime, I was wondering if the attached photos would indicate the likelihood of repair?

My 4Runner is a 2008 Limited, which I bought new and it has about 32,000 miles. The front passenger side tire is bent and the passenger door will not open.

I appreciate your time - thank you

 

[DEKA3]

Dude,

I feel for you.

At least you are ok and can talk about the incident.

I am by no means an expert or hobbyist when it comes to autos, but from my past experience (crash in the same location) my damage was about $7000, not enough to total the car. Now it depends on the internal and frame damage. But my vehicle had about 5000 miles and was about 1 year old.
radiator, battery compartment, fans, a/c condensor and a slew of other internal items all had to be replaced. The external items were pretty much entire driver side front including the hood.

Again, not my area of expertise, just sharing a story of my experience, with similar LOOKING damage.

Good luck with the insurance companies. Luckily I had GEICO and they took care of everything for me.

Keep us posted!

 

[GG Beast]

I recently had my prius totaled in a parking lot and I went through similar issues. It took at least 3 weeks for the police report but there was not a ticket issued to the other driver because it was on private property. What I ended up doing is filing the claim with my insurance company and paying my deductible and when it was all settled, my insurance company went after the other driver's insurance company to get reimbursed. At that point, I got my deductible back, but it wasn't until about a month after I already got paid out by my insurance company and replaced my prius with a 4Runner.

I would say if you're going to wait on their insurance company you could look at a total of 3 months to get it entirely sorted out.

My only issue with going through my insurance company is that they tried to low-ball me on the value of my '08 prius by about $1000 and it took almost 2 weeks of fighting with them to get it to a proper pay-out value. Unfortunately, I think you'll run into this with the other driver's insurance company as well. Do your homework with it and don't go with their first offer (unless you really think it's fair).

As far as the damage, it looks similar to the damage done on my Prius (mine was front driver's side). The damage was up to over $12k worth and the adjuster stopped counting and declared it a total loss(which happened the day after the accident - so that was pretty quick). The 'frame' was bent in 2 places and from my understanding you don't wand a car that has had any sort of frame damage (even if repaired).

Hope this was helpful and good luck!

 

[DEKA3]

I recently had my prius totaled in a parking lot and I went through similar issues. It took at least 3 weeks for the police report but there was not a ticket issued to the other driver because it was on private property. What I ended up doing is filing the claim with my insurance company and paying my deductible and when it was all settled, my insurance company went after the other driver's insurance company to get reimbursed. At that point, I got my deductible back, but it wasn't until about a month after I already got paid out by my insurance company and replaced my prius with a 4Runner.

I would say if you're going to wait on their insurance company you could look at a total of 3 months to get it entirely sorted out.

My only issue with going through my insurance company is that they tried to low-ball me on the value of my '08 prius by about $1000 and it took almost 2 weeks of fighting with them to get it to a proper pay-out value. Unfortunately, I think you'll run into this with the other driver's insurance company as well. Do your homework with it and don't go with their first offer (unless you really think it's fair).

As far as the damage, it looks similar to the damage done on my Prius (mine was front driver's side). The damage was up to over $12k worth and the adjuster stopped counting and declared it a total loss(which happened the day after the accident - so that was pretty quick). The 'frame' was bent in 2 places and from my understanding you don't wand a car that has had any sort of frame damage (even if repaired).

Hope this was helpful and good luck!

I did the same thing with my insurance company. I paid my deductible, & my rental and they reimbursed me at the end. I agree with the frame damage. Luckily my frame was not affected. But I still sold it a couple of months later. It just felt different. Took a hit on the resale, but what can you do?:ak472::redbrick:

 

[peter78]

Dude,

I feel for you.

At least you are ok and can talk about the incident.

I am by no means an expert or hobbyist when it comes to autos, but from my past experience (crash in the same location) my damage was about $7000, not enough to total the car. Now it depends on the internal and frame damage. But my vehicle had about 5000 miles and was about 1 year old.
radiator, battery compartment, fans, a/c condensor and a slew of other internal items all had to be replaced. The external items were pretty much entire driver side front including the hood.

Again, not my area of expertise, just sharing a story of my experience, with similar LOOKING damage.

Good luck with the insurance companies. Luckily I had GEICO and they took care of everything for me.

Keep us posted!

Actually, I pretty much agree. It doesn't look totaled, considering it is a 2008, but you have to look at the insides and of course the frame. It looks to me like medium damage and you should be back on the road. Kind of a real pain to go through all this cr@p.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

It really depends on how far the frame was bent in order to be considered totaled. If I remember right if the frame (toyota body on frame standards) if the the frame is bent plus or minus 3 mm it is totaled. At least your still walking and hope the process is as painless as possible.

 

[M1911]

It really depends on how far the frame was bent in order to be considered totaled. If I remember right if the frame (toyota body on frame standards) if the the frame is bent plus or minus 3 mm it is totaled.

They don't straighten frames on frame machines anymore?

 

[socalvert]

The other driver was driving a new Yukon and I'm counting my blessings because the damage could have been far worse. I've been a loyal Toyota owner over the years....91 Camry, 96 Camry, 2001 Highlander and then the 4Runner. My dad and sister were hit by a drunk driver a in 1992 and they survived only because they were in a 4Runner, which is one of the reasons I bought mine

I will probably have my insurance company go ahead and move forward...the not knowing is getting to me. If they fix it, it will never be the same and it will lose value If they total it, I have .9% interest on it (score!) and rates as of today are 3.45%, which totals an additional $2600 in interest if I have to get a new vehicle.

@Peter - all 4 of my cars have been white Toyotas!

 

[li_runner]

IMO everything still looks straight, the wheel seems to be straight but at that angle can't tell for sure... But like said before the decision will rely on the condition of the frame. If that wheel took a lot of the hit it could have caused frame damage. The good part is there is not a lot of mechanicals in that area. Just a lot of empty space.

If you put the wheels straight did the left passenger side tire/wheel sit at any inward angle?

 

[d_clark]

I don't understand why the bodyshop will not give you an estimate. Seems odd, unless they are just trying to rack up storage fees.

I would contact your insurance company, let them fix the car, then they can go after the other carrier. You pay your insurance to them for a reason, let them work for you. Since the car is so new, I assume you have more then just liability insurance on it. This option may require you to pay your deductible until the claim is settled.

As far as the rental goes, the other carrier should be putting you in an appropriate sized vehicle.

 

[GG Beast]

Just a thought, but I think some states/insurance companies have 'diminished value' policies that may compensate for the diminished value you experience if they do opt to repair it... though I could be wrong because I didn't look that much into it since they totalled out my car.

 

[gaberelli]

Go check this thread out on my vehicle. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/69525-totaled.html They are repairing mine with $16,000 worth of damages. My 4Runner is an '06 with 100,000 miles on it. The thing with Toyotas, and especially 4Runners, is that the replacement value is so high and a lot of repairs can be done before reaching the "totaled" threshold. I would guess yours will be repairs. Sorry to hear about the accident. I can feel your pain!!

 

[peter78]

Off Subject

@Peter - all 4 of my cars have been white Toyotas!

Here is an old picture of my cars. I sold the Honda (white) to get the 04 4Runner (white). So now I have three white Toyotas.

I had two red cars, my 68 VW bug got hit and destroyed and my 88 Acura got hit 4 times by 4 different drivers who simply missed my car. For some reason people don't see red cars.

Of course in this case, white didn't help too much.....:shrug:

 

[8086bruce]

It looks to me in the 1st pic. that the frame is swayed to the drivers side a little.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

From that view it is really hard to tell. IMO just from the pic I don't believe it is totaled because you will need 75% of the value to total it. I don't believe that is $10k+ worth the damage. Also if your vehicle is NOT totaled tell the insurance company that you also would like money for the diminished value of your vehicle. Basically that means they will pay you extra $ since your vehicle has been damaged and it has reduced the value of your vehicle. My best friends Dad owns a body shop and I was in a wreck one time with the other driver at fault and their insurance company paid me over $2500 for the diminished value. Just something else to think about.

 

[socalvert]

Ahhh...I swear the last 24 hours have been unbelievable - I was rear ended on the way home from work last night in the rental! Took it back with the bumper duct taped to keep it from rubbing the tire.

The diminished value is an excellent tip - thanks.

The tire is bent inward - I took another pic today when I returned the damaged rental and it shows it a little better.

I'm trying to maintain my sense of humor, but it's getting a little more difficult. Duct taping the rental actually made me laugh this morning

 

[Nashvillerunner]

Dang man that SUCKS! Yeah from those pics I wouldn't say that your 4Runner is totaled. I guess when it rains it pours!!

 

[12guns]

It really depends on how far the frame was bent in order to be considered totaled. If I remember right if the frame (toyota body on frame standards) if the the frame is bent plus or minus 3 mm it is totaled. At least your still walking and hope the process is as painless as possible.

Not true. Frames are pulled/repaired all the time. 3mm has nothing to do with it. Toyota will have standards where certian parts of the frame cannot be sectioned in, but other than that you can pull all you want.

 

[inscarguy]

here is some advise from a licensed damage appraiser.

to check nose "sway" w/o putting it on a frame machine close the hood just to the point of latching. check the body line on the undamaged side to see if the gap opens up. if it is tight in the rear and gets wider in the front you have some sort of nose sway(it could either be frame sway or the rad support is swayed) the frame assy is stronger than the support. also you do have rt suspension damage. the top of the wheel is in and not angled as far as the lt wheel(turning wise). this is definitely not a total(at least i would not total it. some ins companies can be funny though.

say for example your damage is 10,000 total. the vehicle is worth 30.000, the salvage value is 15.000. the ins co could do whats called a constructive total due to possible "hidden" damage and a high salvage value.

frames an be straightened as long as they are not "kinked". bent frames are repairable. i do not think 4runner frames are sectionable. trailblazers for example are hydroformed frames and GM actually makes a kit to do such a repair.

the shop is giving you a run around on not writing an appraisal. a "good" shop would write an appraisal and when the appraiser gets there the shop would give the ins co appraiser the estimate to review.

i would go with my own ins co. they would be more sensitive to your needs, in most cases a 3rd party carrier, you would be athorn in their side. your ins co would pay you and leinholder(if you have one) or you could sign a DTP(direction to pay) so the payments go directly to the shop and it bypasses the leinholder. then your ins co would subrogate against the other ins co.

good luck.

 

[socalvert]

I recently had my prius totaled in a parking lot and I went through similar issues. It took at least 3 weeks for the police report but there was not a ticket issued to the other driver because it was on private property. What I ended up doing is filing the claim with my insurance company and paying my deductible and when it was all settled, my insurance company went after the other driver's insurance company to get reimbursed. At that point, I got my deductible back, but it wasn't until about a month after I already got paid out by my insurance company and replaced my prius with a 4Runner.

I would say if you're going to wait on their insurance company you could look at a total of 3 months to get it entirely sorted out.

My only issue with going through my insurance company is that they tried to low-ball me on the value of my '08 prius by about $1000 and it took almost 2 weeks of fighting with them to get it to a proper pay-out value. Unfortunately, I think you'll run into this with the other driver's insurance company as well. Do your homework with it and don't go with their first offer (unless you really think it's fair).

As far as the damage, it looks similar to the damage done on my Prius (mine was front driver's side). The damage was up to over $12k worth and the adjuster stopped counting and declared it a total loss(which happened the day after the accident - so that was pretty quick). The 'frame' was bent in 2 places and from my understanding you don't wand a car that has had any sort of frame damage (even if repaired).

Hope this was helpful and good luck!

I have a feeling it's going to drag on and on if my insurance company doesn't step in and help. My agent acts like she doesn't want to do anything until the police report is issued, but I don't think that's her call Thanks!