4Runner hit by NYC Sanitation truck...need advice

[DEKA3]

So....my truck was parked in my driveway and a city sanitation truck backed up into it as they were picking up the garbage.
I had their supervisor come out and file a report. He tells me that it will take 6 months to a year to get the paperwork filed and for me to see any money.

I called my insurance company (Geico) and they confused the SH!T out of me!
Basically they said that if they come and pick up my truck and have it looked at and repaired at one of their "Geico Express" locations, all the work is guaranteed for as long as I own it.
If I have a Geico adjuster brought out to my house and he gives me an estimate, they will not guarantee the work, even if I decide to take it to their Express locations. I double checked and triple checked this info to make sure it was accurate.

So, now what should I do? Should I have Geico take care of everything and have ALL the work they do guaranteed? Or should I take a chance and bring it to a local body shop?

BTW, GEICO WILL NOT use OEM parts.

Actually, now that I read what I type, the choice is obvious. But never-the-less I ask for your advice!

 

[DannyLlama]

What I wish I would have done when my truck was stolen and I went through the TE conversion.

I wish I would have "cashed out" and found a reputable body shop to paint and install. But the parts from one of the toyota online dealers.

Is the damage to your truck extensive? Can you drive it around?

Consideration of an aftermarket bumper?

 

[DEKA3]

Pics of the damage. On the last pic, you can clearly see the tracks that the garbage truck made, and the direction that it was heading towards. The driver didnt say a word.

 

[superwhite]

This blows dude!

I guess an initial question I would ask myself would be, "what do they mean by guaranteeing body work?" To me, assessing body work involves a good amount of subjective satisfaction. I would just be concerned that if you didn't think it was truly restored to factory condition it would be your opinion vs. theirs. If it ends up causing damage down the road, that's one thing, but what happens if you get it back and don't think it looks right?

 

[DEKA3]

This blows dude!

I guess an initial question I would ask myself would be, "what do they mean by guaranteeing body work?" To me, assessing body work involves a good amount of subjective satisfaction. I would just be concerned that if you didn't think it was truly restored to factory condition it would be your opinion vs. theirs. If it ends up causing damage down the road, that's one thing, but what happens if you get it back and don't think it looks right?

If it operates properly, then that is all they are required to do.
Guaranty work means that if down the road, the paint starts peeling, its covered.
If the panels/door doesn't operate properly, they will repair it at no charge.
If anything mechanical needs to be fixed, and down the line it doesnt operate properly, they will fix it.

 

[DEKA3]

What I wish I would have done when my truck was stolen and I went through the TE conversion.

I wish I would have "cashed out" and found a reputable body shop to paint and install. But the parts from one of the toyota online dealers.

Is the damage to your truck extensive? Can you drive it around?

Consideration of an aftermarket bumper?

The problem is that there are so many shady body shops around here, its tough to distinguish good from bad. Online reviews arent always trustworthy.
I want to cash out, but I dont want to be short-changed either.

 

[Rubberdown]

The dealership will warranty their body work the same probably. There are no mechanical issues involved in that repair. If you have a good relationship with your dealership I would take it there.

 

[Ghetro]

That's just awful - so sorry about your 4R!

I also agree with most of the other posters - depending on the type/level of insurance you have (you have full coverage if you still owe on it), you could be able to go through Geico and let them fight it out with the city's insurance.

Insurance actually covers loss of value, so cashing out may be your best option if you don't trust the work they'll do. You'll want to do the math to see if/how much you'll be out if you take it somewhere else and get different parts, etc.

 

[Go JayBee]

[MENTION=54250]DEKA3[/MENTION]
This really sucks!! Especially when it happens through no fault of your own.
If it were me, I'd go to a Toyota dealer for the repairs. They won't use "after market" parts. Run it through your own insurance and let them fight it out with the "at fault" party. Then, go after them for "Diminished Value". That may take awhile before its all said and done, but at least you'll get the truck fixed good enough to turn it, then later on get some money to help pay off a new one.

 

[05Rrunner]

Dude that sucks !
Take it to dealer for proper repair with factory parts. Don't make a bad situation worse. Toyota will also give you a lifetime guarantee on there work and they are not going anywhere and if you sell it , it's a factory repair, Win , Win !
Good luck with all

 

[splash101]

Take it to a dealer and work out a trade in for new with them getting the insurance money and some funds from you.

 

[Titanpat57]

Bastards...

I would ONLY use OEM parts...do the job and tell your agent to cancel your policy and go with Farmers or Peerless...and dont forget to tell him to take his cut rate BS and SHOVE IT UP HIS ASS!!

 

[4gin007]

I work at a shop that does the geico express program, i see it all day, save 15 percent, ha. The way they save is to buy the cheapest parts avail. But they will put oem parts on if the aftermarket ones dont fit. Happens quite often at my shop. I would suggest you have geico write an estimate at your house and cut you a check right then. That way you can take it to any body shop you want. Also, all body shops quarantee the work for the life of the vehicle as long as you own it. If your not happy with the repairs at the time of delivery dont accept it and they will fix it again, no matter how many times it takes them. Fyi every shop uses after market parts, it all depends on the insurance company. As others have said geico will only pay you to put after market parts on, you will have to make up the difference. Id hope that an AM fender is available. Good luck.

 

[phillyd2]

Ouch, sorry to hear Elias.

I'm wondering, since it looks like just sheet metal work does OEM only really matter that much?

 

[DEKA3]

Ouch, sorry to hear Elias.

I'm wondering, since it looks like just sheet metal work does OEM only really matter that much?

My concern isnt the sheet metal. Its what is under the metal that I cant see, the part that concerns me. Also, the truck moved a significant amount because of the force of the hit. (Yea, I forgot to mention that earlier).
So who knows what really happened without having a look under and through out?

 

[phillyd2]

Obviously an expert would need to check it out but there is not much in there to break. I'm thinking if you have to get hit by a trash truck that seems to be about the best place for it to have happened.

If in park and it was pushed a decent way, could the tranny be damaged?

 

[4gin007]

no tranny damage, it probably just moved on the snow when the truck hit the door shell.

From the pics id say its going to be an easy repair. New fender, new door and lets all hope the pillar isnt pushed in or back, thatll make mounting the door properly difficult. The world doesnt make an AM door for that truck, so the only thing your going to have to make the difference on is the fender (and possibly the head light). Your head light could have a broken mounting tab, that would require a replacement, they do have AM ones that will not fit (trust me), gotta go OEM. The clips holding the flare on might break when removed so theyll need replaced and of coarse the door will have to be detrimmed for paint and the mirror replaced. Its a black truck so if there isnt any damage on the back door then it wont need painted. Orange peel will show up big time on black so make sure the finish is to your liking once delivered.

I wish that truck was coming to my shop. You could run it through the geico Rx program and have no worries, Id make sure itd be pefrect with all oem parts.

 

[DEKA3]

no tranny damage, it probably just moved on the snow when the truck hit the door shell.

From the pics id say its going to be an easy repair. New fender, new door and lets all hope the pillar isnt pushed in or back, thatll make mounting the door properly difficult. The world doesnt make an AM door for that truck, so the only thing your going to have to make the difference on is the fender (and possibly the head light). Your head light could have a broken mounting tab, that would require a replacement, they do have AM ones that will not fit (trust me), gotta go OEM. The clips holding the flare on might break when removed so theyll need replaced and of coarse the door will have to be detrimmed for paint and the mirror replaced. Its a black truck so if there isnt any damage on the back door then it wont need painted. Orange peel will show up big time on black so make sure the finish is to your liking once delivered.

I wish that truck was coming to my shop. You could run it through the geico Rx program and have no worries, Id make sure itd be pefrect with all oem parts.

4gin007, thanks for the input!
Pillar "looks" fine....I think.
What do you mean by orange peel on the black?
Your offer sounds good. My wife travels quite a bit to VA, but unfortunately not anytime soon. If I had a few days off from work, I would have left tonight myself!

 

[Rubberdown]

How is the door gap at the rear? How about around the top. Open the door an inch and then close it. If the gaps are the same and the door still unlatches, latches, and closes ok then your good.

 

[DEKA3]

Obviously an expert would need to check it out but there is not much in there to break. I'm thinking if you have to get hit by a trash truck that seems to be about the best place for it to have happened.

If in park and it was pushed a decent way, could the tranny be damaged?

I guess the only good part about this is that it happened on snow/ice so the impact probably wasnt that damaging