Caught in accident, any suggestions?

[ZJumper]

I just spoke with a friend who is an insurance agent and here is her response. Keep in mind this is generally true in the state of Iowa and may be different where you live. The at-fault parties insurance company will more than likely replace the parts with "of like kind and quality". This will mean they will more than likely be aftermarket and not OEM Toyota parts. .

True...if you use the other company, they are going to try and "cheap out." If you file the claim with them, they will low ball, deny and stall as much as they can. They don't want to pay out anymore than they have to.

File a claim with your company, get your car fixed or totaled and let your insurance company go after their company.

As far compensation for diminished value that you may incur when trying to sell or trade a vehicle that has been in an accident, there is no payment for this.

Not attacking, but your friend is wrong. Any insurance company isn't going to come out and say, "Hey here's a check for diminished value." What I've learned in dealing with DV is you will have to file that claim with the other company insurance policy. Going alone they will tell you it doesn't exist. Get an attorney and have him fight it for you.

To help with a DV claim, upon receipt of a repaired car, document any/every flaw with pics and in writing. This will further strengthen your case about your car not being repaired to pre accident condition...therefore resulting in less value.

EDIT: DV probably isn't going to get paid out to you if you're driving a car with a year 19XX and older. 201X and above, yeah, you can get something.

 

[Newf4R]

It was a small BANG in the front then a much bigger BANG in my rear.

According to the estimates I got, no frame damage in the front, but in the back they gonna do some work to the frame.

[B]FRONT:[/B]
I.  Labor Subtotals     Units   Rate    Amount     Amount     Totals
            Body          14.9   65.00     30.00     50.00   1,048.50  T
            Bdy-S          0.0   65.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T  
            Refinish      13.3   65.00      5.00      0.00     869.50  T 
            Glass          0.0   65.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T   
            Mechanical     0.0  100.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T
            Frame          0.0   75.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T
[B]REAR:[/B]
I.  Labor Subtotals     Units   Rate    Amount     Amount     Totals 
            Body          28.8   65.00      0.00    210.00   2,082.00  T 
            Bdy-S          0.0   65.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T    
            Refinish      13.7   65.00      0.00      0.00     890.50  T   
            Glass          0.0   65.00      0.00      0.00       0.00  T     
            Mechanical     0.0  100.00      0.00    125.00     125.00  T
            Frame          4.0   75.00      0.00      0.00     300.00  T
ITEM:
39     933006  FRM   ADD'L OPR          Frame/Rack Set Up    2.0* UNIT
40     933036  FRM   ADD'L OPR          Sheetmetal Pull         2.0* UNIT

Anyone knows what is "Frame/Rack Set Up"?

Time to set up your truck to work on the frame. Bigger bang in the rear is right! I've seen estimates on thousands of vehicles and it takes A LOT to mess up your frame. If you found a shop that will use all OEM and that's important to you, good work! You're going to have a big fight on your hand for diminished value. Your adjuster likely doesn't have that power... like I already mentioned, they have supervisors, who have managers. Probably better going that route. Good luck.

 

[Newf4R]

From what I've learned about DV:

If you hit someone and are at fault, your insurance company isn't going to pay diminished value to you.

If you smack your car into a tree, they aren't going to give it to you.

If you are smashed by someone else, go after their insurance company with legal representation, if necessary, and get it. Your insurance company isn't generally going to pay it out to you and fight for reimbursement for the DV.

Bingo! Not sure if you're dealing with the third party's adjuster, or your own, but your policy states what your insurer is responsible for. Anything outside of that, the only chance you have is with the at fault third party's adjuster, supervisor, etc.

Alberta's Standard Auto Policy

http://finance.alberta.ca/publications/insurance/standard_automobile_policy_2012.pdf