4Runner got hit today and need some help (pic inside)

[Whiplash Willy]

About the whole blending the repaint in with the fender thing...I have never been a fan of having a body shop paint over or even touch parts of my factory clear.

There are a few people on this site who have done Limited to Trail conversions, and had the new trail bumper painted, and they appeared to mach well without having to blend the paint. If it were me, I would figure out how they were able to get it to match, and get a trail bumper out of the deal as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81939-te-parts-needed-convert-sr5-limited-exterior.html

 

[Go JayBee]

I know there will always be imperfections but I feel this one is significant and bother the crap out of me. I would imagine they could get it to line up somewhat better but I am starting to have my doubts.

All the more reason to file a Diminished Value Claim with the "other guy's" carrier. Do your homework first though. Get a reputable appraisal done, you may have to pay a couple hundred dollars for that but add that amount to your claim. Hell, you only have 3100 mi on the rig....haven't even done an oil change yet, I would guess!!

In my state (Oregon), an accident report must be filed with the DMV if damage is $1500 or more, so there's no "hiding" the fact that your vehicle was damaged at time of resale. Also, flat out ask Toyota if your truck is dis-qualified as being a "Toyota Certified Used Vehicle" due to the replaced body panels, etc. That will definitely have an impact on the resale value.

If asked if you intend to re-sell, say "hell no", I'd be losing money right now.

You may also need to get an attorney involved when the adjuster gives you some low-ball offer to settle. Stick by your guns. They are betting you'll just "go away".

I was recently involved in an accident where I was not at fault. My rig having only 3700 miles on it. Got a DV appraisal loss of $4000. when I submitted that to the carrier, they offered $1900. Countered to meet them in the middle, and they still would not bite. After hiring an attorney, it cost them $7700. I got $4500 and the lawyer got $3200.

There's no reason not to go for DV on a vehicle that new, with such low miles.
It will sooth some of the pain, anguish, disgust, that your baby has been violated.

 

[ace50421]

About the whole blending the repaint in with the fender thing...I have never been a fan of having a body shop paint over or even touch parts of my factory clear.

There are a few people on this site who have done Limited to Trail conversions, and had the new trail bumper painted, and they appeared to mach well without having to blend the paint. If it were me, I would figure out how they were able to get it to match, and get a trail bumper out of the deal as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81939-te-parts-needed-convert-sr5-limited-exterior.html

The passenger side fender needed repaint and the work has been done already so no trail bumper unfortunately. Just put it back to stock

 

[ace50421]

All the more reason to file a Diminished Value Claim with the "other guy's" carrier. Do your homework first though. Get a reputable appraisal done, you may have to pay a couple hundred dollars for that but add that amount to your claim. Hell, you only have 3100 mi on the rig....haven't even done an oil change yet, I would guess!!

In my state (Oregon), an accident report must be filed with the DMV if damage is $1500 or more, so there's no "hiding" the fact that your vehicle was damaged at time of resale. Also, flat out ask Toyota if your truck is dis-qualified as being a "Toyota Certified Used Vehicle" due to the replaced body panels, etc. That will definitely have an impact on the resale value.

If asked if you intend to re-sell, say "hell no", I'd be losing money right now.

You may also need to get an attorney involved when the adjuster gives you some low-ball offer to settle. Stick by your guns. They are betting you'll just "go away".

I was recently involved in an accident where I was not at fault. My rig having only 3700 miles on it. Got a DV appraisal loss of $4000. when I submitted that to the carrier, they offered $1900. Countered to meet them in the middle, and they still would not bite. After hiring an attorney, it cost them $7700. I got $4500 and the lawyer got $3200.

There's no reason not to go for DV on a vehicle that new, with such low miles.
It will sooth some of the pain, anguish, disgust, that your baby has been violated.

I want to file a diminshed value claim on the vehicle and one of the dealerships out here recommended some company called Specialized Claims Solutions out of Phoenix. Do you think it would be wise to have an appraisal done by them? From your experience who else would be able to do an appraisal? Just trying to figure out where to start. Thanks!

 

[Speedy Gomez]

My wife got hit and it was the other persons fault. The at fault insurance company uses a couple different car dealership repair shops to do their body work. One being a Ford dealer and the other being a Chevy dealer. Any problems taking it to one of the body shops they recommend? Any hints or tips to make this easier for me?

It also appears some of the 4Runners on this sight have an FJ grill that says "TOYOTA" and I love that look. Where did you get that and is it a lot of modifying to put it on. Thanks.

This bumper would look sick on yours.

 

[Go JayBee]

I want to file a diminshed value claim on the vehicle and one of the dealerships out here recommended some company called Specialized Claims Solutions out of Phoenix. Do you think it would be wise to have an appraisal done by them? From your experience who else would be able to do an appraisal? Just trying to figure out where to start. Thanks!

My experience is limited, I was referred to the appraiser by my Body Shop. He actually came out and looked at my truck and wrote a very detailed condition report, researched regional market value, and provided a DV Claim Template to file with the adjuster. In my case, the "other" insurance came back with an appraisal of their own, without even putting an eyeball on my rig, and tried to compare my TE to an SR5.
You could always have a dealer give you a quote for your rig as additional data to validate your claim.

If you hire an appraiser, they will be looking out for you, not the insurance company. Just make sure they actually look at your rig and not simply run a canned computer calculation.

If you are planning to keep the 4Runner for awhile, take your time, don't let the insurance company throw you a bone with no meat on it. The longer you leave the case open, the more they are going to be willing to lean your way.
You could politely remind them that if the claim goes to litigation, it may end up costing them a whole bunch more.

 

[2010riddle]

The body shop is having a hell of time getting the new bumper cover to line up correctly. They tried telling me "It's plastic going to metal and everything clips together so its not going to be perfect". They cant seem to get it right. I have been without my vehicle for almost a month. Is it really that difficult for them to get the bumper cover to line up with the fenders? The pics don't do it justice. Do I just keep telling them to fix it until they get it right? This is a 2013 with 3k miles. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

I had my bumper replaced from a minor accident about a year ago and had this same issue around the headlights - it actually got worse as months progressed. Body shop got Toyota to send a new bumper and will be replaced at no cost to me. I was told that they had a series of bumpers that were shipped incorrectly (stacked inside of each other), but who knows as that doesn't sound like something that happens with OEM parts. Make sure its an OEM part to begin with and if so nicely, but confidently, push them to get it replaced from their parts provider since that is not OEM fit.

 

[ace50421]

This bumper would look sick on yours.

I agree but I need a lift and some tires before I put that bumper on....would probably look silly on a stock 4 Runner.

 

[indcwby]

My wife got hit and it was the other persons fault. The at fault insurance company uses a couple different car dealership repair shops to do their body work. One being a Ford dealer and the other being a Chevy dealer. Any problems taking it to one of the body shops they recommend? Any hints or tips to make this easier for me?

It also appears some of the 4Runners on this sight have an FJ grill that says "TOYOTA" and I love that look. Where did you get that and is it a lot of modifying to put it on. Thanks.

You can take the vehicle to any place of your choice. Their insurance company will send their adjuster out to verify everything at the shop.