I work claims for a living and I'll say it's probably history. Even if the insurance company wants to move it to a shop, they will find more damage once it's torn down. Probably some accessories on the front of the engine a cracked if not the block itself. Looks like the radiator and such pushed back pretty far. As mentioned before, if it's close the insurance company can choose to go ahead and total it, but if it's below 70% w/ all the costs including rental, tow bills, and such, they can fix it just the same. Loss of value and having a "not safe vehicle" and valid points, but very hard to prove. And the frame has nothing to do with a vehicle totaling or not. 90% of frames can be repaired, others can be sectioned, or replaced...but it will add to the total amount of the estimate. Let us know how it works out, glad you were ok, cars can be fixed/replaced.
There are alot of myths floating around about what insurance companies do/don't do; and what you should or shouldn't do. If you have any questions let me know.
as i mentioned before anyone who repairs a vehicle "properly" has to do so by manufactures specs, ICAR specs etc... i am a licensed damage appraiser and have been in this industry for 25 + years.
reguarding frames toyota does not have a sectioning procedure on their frames as toyota is one of the few left who use full frames besides a few imports and some domestics(mostly trucks) as most have gone to a unitized construction which means the body and support structure is one piece.
it does depends on the insurance about totalling a vehicle as the damage appraiser is the only one who can do so. he does not figure in rental, tow bills etc. as he is only involved in the appraisal process. the other things already mentioned is over and above his job. at least in Mass. only a licensed appraiser can control what happens to the vehicle, noone inside the company can change what he writes( i cannot speak for other states). if the vehicle is repaired properly there will be absolutely no change in mechanicals and safety(my GMC had 18000.00 in damage from an accident on '01 and i still have it today and it still looks showroom fresh)
here is an example: if your vehicle is worth say 23,000. damage is at 18,000 but salvage is 6-7000.00 than it is a total loss even though the damage amount is not near the value of the vehicle. you would add the vehicle damage and what salvage could bring. it usually does not depend on the value of the vehicle to damage anymore. alot relies on salvage value. you could have a chevy cobalt value at 10,000, damage at 8000 but salvage at 500.00 its worth it to fix it because the insurance will only get back 500.00 instead of the payout of 10,000 for the value of the vehicle. if its fixed then the ins still looses but the owner is still able to retain the vehicle(possibly fee of car payments). i am seeing this on a regualr basis these days as people have paid off their cars, they become totalled and dont want a payment so they either retain them or work with a body shop so they can retain the vehicle and not get into car payments again.
when your vehicle gets written it will most likely be written with aftermarket parts from say Keystone, Empire etc.... if you want OEM the ins co will have you pay the difference or if the bodyshop can prove the aftermarket part is inferior then OEM will be allowed. frames are tricky, as i mentioned before if it is "kinked" it needs to be replaced as per any car maker and ICAR if it is "bent" then it is repairable. I have shops try to tell me that they can "fix" a kinked frame or unibody. i have to explain to them that it is not a proper repair and if something happens it is my license on the line. also some ins companies will also charge a "betterment" on wearable parts which is a chrage on how long you have used the part. its the same as wear and tear on tires or a battery, same principle.
if you can get some good pics i could write an appraisal(obviously not a binding one) and give a rough estimate on what i can visibly see. it might give you a better idea if you need to start looking for another vehicle.
also if your state has a sales tax on anything you are entitled to that back on top of your vehicle value settlement.
good luck.
u had a great lookin 4r
