grrrr... thieving bas****s! insurance totaled my 4r
- Thread starter denverunner
- Start date
denverunner
New member
Thank you all for your support and input.
I fully intend on fixing it myself. This will be a walk in the park. I'll have to order an oem lock cylinder for the ignition and the passenger door, so that I can retain the use of my keyset, but most everything else, I'll have to source out from junkyards because the OEM prices are ridikulus!
As for how Progressive is handling this, a couple things:
As of yet, nobody has come out to look at the vehicle or assess the damage. I was told by 2 different Progressive reps that the vehicle would be totaled, just based on the age and no-start condition. I can't even put the key in the lock cylinder because it's beat up so badly.
Progressive said that if I wanted to keep it, they would send out a person to look at the vehicle and determine the value of it instead of sending a tow truck to take it to salvage. They said that they use a "3rd party from JD Power and Associates", which IMO, could be virtually anyone that they subcontract out to do their work. I'm thinking that it might be best if I have my own estimator come out and look at it before progressive sends their goonies. What do you guys think?
When I meet their estimator, I'm assuming that I'll have to haggle with him directly. Should be in the next 24-48.
All I know is that i have a lot going for me in this situation. I've paid Progressive $10k over the last 6-7 years without so much as an accident, ticket, etc. Also, the value of 3rd gen 4runners in Colorado is quite high. Since I only paid $6200 for this with 115k, 2 years ago, I'm going to make out like a bandit. I'm shooting to get $6k before factoring in my deductible and the salvage value.
brianemc2_42 - thanks for the tips, I'll check that thread and get in touch with IanB. Fortunately, I'm not in any rush to settle immediately because I have a backup vehicle to drive.
Nelsonmd - passenger door handle is totally f-ed. The sheetmetal surface near the bottom of the handle is bent in slightly, but not as bad as I thought. Easily repairable, imo, just need a doorhandle & new lock cylinder. Nobody has come out to look at it yet, but they are supposed to be calling me soon to setup a time. Basically, they just totaled it over the phone, which still strikes me as odd
Elton H - I would love to shoot first and ask questions later. Wouldn't it be nice if I mounted a motion-activated turret on the roof of my garage?
shadow247 - thanks for the generous offer, i'll send you a pm later today!
fish0281 - I live in Park Hill, on Elm St between 16th and Colfax Not the "best" area by any measure, but it's been steadily improving over the years.
Duhockey - I'm looking forward to it being totaled. Then I can take care of a few things. First, gotta replace my tools, which is the most irritating part about all of this. second -armor. third - lift 4th - tires and if theres leftovers, maybe a SC! :hungry:
ChildrenofBodom - thanks for the parts offer. You are made my day! I will be in touch. I'm going to get everything settled with my insurance company before I start digging in on the repairs, but I'll get ahold of you in the next week or so to discuss parts.
I fully intend on fixing it myself. This will be a walk in the park. I'll have to order an oem lock cylinder for the ignition and the passenger door, so that I can retain the use of my keyset, but most everything else, I'll have to source out from junkyards because the OEM prices are ridikulus!
As for how Progressive is handling this, a couple things:
As of yet, nobody has come out to look at the vehicle or assess the damage. I was told by 2 different Progressive reps that the vehicle would be totaled, just based on the age and no-start condition. I can't even put the key in the lock cylinder because it's beat up so badly.
Progressive said that if I wanted to keep it, they would send out a person to look at the vehicle and determine the value of it instead of sending a tow truck to take it to salvage. They said that they use a "3rd party from JD Power and Associates", which IMO, could be virtually anyone that they subcontract out to do their work. I'm thinking that it might be best if I have my own estimator come out and look at it before progressive sends their goonies. What do you guys think?
When I meet their estimator, I'm assuming that I'll have to haggle with him directly. Should be in the next 24-48.
All I know is that i have a lot going for me in this situation. I've paid Progressive $10k over the last 6-7 years without so much as an accident, ticket, etc. Also, the value of 3rd gen 4runners in Colorado is quite high. Since I only paid $6200 for this with 115k, 2 years ago, I'm going to make out like a bandit. I'm shooting to get $6k before factoring in my deductible and the salvage value.
brianemc2_42 - thanks for the tips, I'll check that thread and get in touch with IanB. Fortunately, I'm not in any rush to settle immediately because I have a backup vehicle to drive.
Nelsonmd - passenger door handle is totally f-ed. The sheetmetal surface near the bottom of the handle is bent in slightly, but not as bad as I thought. Easily repairable, imo, just need a doorhandle & new lock cylinder. Nobody has come out to look at it yet, but they are supposed to be calling me soon to setup a time. Basically, they just totaled it over the phone, which still strikes me as odd
Elton H - I would love to shoot first and ask questions later. Wouldn't it be nice if I mounted a motion-activated turret on the roof of my garage?
shadow247 - thanks for the generous offer, i'll send you a pm later today!
fish0281 - I live in Park Hill, on Elm St between 16th and Colfax Not the "best" area by any measure, but it's been steadily improving over the years.
Duhockey - I'm looking forward to it being totaled. Then I can take care of a few things. First, gotta replace my tools, which is the most irritating part about all of this. second -armor. third - lift 4th - tires and if theres leftovers, maybe a SC! :hungry:
ChildrenofBodom - thanks for the parts offer. You are made my day! I will be in touch. I'm going to get everything settled with my insurance company before I start digging in on the repairs, but I'll get ahold of you in the next week or so to discuss parts.
BrianSD_42
New member
Did you see this listing for a free 3rd gen dash?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/free/110672-free-3rd-gen-dash-bumper.html#post1065098
You could probably find on at a junkyard as well if you are willing to wait.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/free/110672-free-3rd-gen-dash-bumper.html#post1065098
You could probably find on at a junkyard as well if you are willing to wait.
denverunner
New member
Du and Emc - thanks for the heads up.
I replied on the dash!
Like I said, I'm still waiting to settle with progressive before I start my scavenger hunt. I would love to meet some fellow denver-ites for an afternoon of pick-n-pull. I'll definitely be in touch DU once Progressive gets everything settled.
thanks again for the support, you guys are great!
I replied on the dash!
Like I said, I'm still waiting to settle with progressive before I start my scavenger hunt. I would love to meet some fellow denver-ites for an afternoon of pick-n-pull. I'll definitely be in touch DU once Progressive gets everything settled.
thanks again for the support, you guys are great!
this is actually a good topic I found a way to break into a 3rd gen in seconds. The back hatch key slot is held on by a little bit of plastic. If he key slot gets pushed in the all you need to do is put you finger in the hold and move the internals and it will unlock the hatch.
Nashvegas34
New member
Well if someone decides to Google "how to break into a 4Runner", now they'll find this thread! :bravo:
Messing with you. Kind of.
BrianSD_42
New member
It won't matter. 4Runners are super easy to get into with a slim-jim.
The guys who broke into OPs Runner were a bunch of punks. Not a car thief.
If you want to protect the 4Runner:
1) Factory Alarm
2) The Truck Club
3) Hidden kill switch for the fuel pump.
1 & 2 and two will act as a strong deterrant, the 3rd will slow them way down.
The guys who broke into OPs Runner were a bunch of punks. Not a car thief.
If you want to protect the 4Runner:
1) Factory Alarm
2) The Truck Club
3) Hidden kill switch for the fuel pump.
1 & 2 and two will act as a strong deterrant, the 3rd will slow them way down.
Nashvegas34
New member
Explain about the hidden kill switch for the fuel pump. How would it be engaged?
BrianSD_42
New member
Its a blue wire along the drivers side door.
Im sorry but I did it years ago. Do a search here (use my link below) and you will find the answer.
I did mine based on a YotaTech article.
Be smart about how do it. There are so many ways.
Im sorry but I did it years ago. Do a search here (use my link below) and you will find the answer.
I did mine based on a YotaTech article.
Be smart about how do it. There are so many ways.
denverunner
New member
I'm going to install an alarm. I've been looking at Viper, have Compustar on my Civic and it's okay, not very reliable over the long run.
The previous owner had a clifford system that looks as if it was installed by a pack of rabid, one-armed cats. Terrible job, and careless work..... much like the thieves who broke in. Until now, I haven't had a reason to make it right....
I will definitely be installing a fuel pump kill switch. this will be fun (and potentially entertaining if they decide to come back for seconds!)
So the estimator came out today. All signs point to "totaled" I had to leave before he could finish and he wasn't very personable or talkative, so I didn't have a whole lot of influence over his report. He drafted a repair estimate that details ~$4700 in parts and labor to return it to the condition it was in prior to the attempted theft. I'm assuming that Progressive will total it because you've gotta be bonkers to even consider shelling half that out to fix a 14 year old vehicle. I guess I'm back to playing the waiting game now until I hear from my claims rep....
The previous owner had a clifford system that looks as if it was installed by a pack of rabid, one-armed cats. Terrible job, and careless work..... much like the thieves who broke in. Until now, I haven't had a reason to make it right....
I will definitely be installing a fuel pump kill switch. this will be fun (and potentially entertaining if they decide to come back for seconds!)
So the estimator came out today. All signs point to "totaled" I had to leave before he could finish and he wasn't very personable or talkative, so I didn't have a whole lot of influence over his report. He drafted a repair estimate that details ~$4700 in parts and labor to return it to the condition it was in prior to the attempted theft. I'm assuming that Progressive will total it because you've gotta be bonkers to even consider shelling half that out to fix a 14 year old vehicle. I guess I'm back to playing the waiting game now until I hear from my claims rep....
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Ol'Blue
New member
Let me see what I can find out....
I will put a call into a good buddy of mine that is a Progressive Claims Rep. I will get the 411 on this issue and what you really need to do(he has progressive when his STI got jacked and he fought them like hell to get what is was really worth but he won in the end). If anyone can help he can on the insurance side. I have a stock stereo and amp for the runner I'll be willing to send to you at shipping cost. They have not sold and doing me no good at all sitting around the house. Also, there are allot of 3rd Gens in So-Cal so between me COB, and Brian we can get stuff to you for the truck cheap I'm sure.
Let me know what you want to do man or PM me.
Blue
I will put a call into a good buddy of mine that is a Progressive Claims Rep. I will get the 411 on this issue and what you really need to do(he has progressive when his STI got jacked and he fought them like hell to get what is was really worth but he won in the end). If anyone can help he can on the insurance side. I have a stock stereo and amp for the runner I'll be willing to send to you at shipping cost. They have not sold and doing me no good at all sitting around the house. Also, there are allot of 3rd Gens in So-Cal so between me COB, and Brian we can get stuff to you for the truck cheap I'm sure.
Let me know what you want to do man or PM me.
Blue
BrianSD_42
New member
Blue,
The thread is a year old.
I am interested to hear how it all turned out. Hopefully OP will respond.
The thread is a year old.
I am interested to hear how it all turned out. Hopefully OP will respond.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
Sorry for your loss 
My insurance company is Progressive and I feel they gave me a very fair value for my 4runner when I totalled it. Tell them everything you've put into it and provide receipts if they seem skeptical. I was given extra money for my stereo, my suspension lift, and tires. Also factory stuff like towing package and spoiler (lol) are also worth something to an insurance adjuster. Ultimately it only cost me $700 to buy the truck back and it still had at least a few thousand dollars worth of useable stuff in it.
My insurance company is Progressive and I feel they gave me a very fair value for my 4runner when I totalled it. Tell them everything you've put into it and provide receipts if they seem skeptical. I was given extra money for my stereo, my suspension lift, and tires. Also factory stuff like towing package and spoiler (lol) are also worth something to an insurance adjuster. Ultimately it only cost me $700 to buy the truck back and it still had at least a few thousand dollars worth of useable stuff in it.
Went through the insurance deal last July. Had a tree limb fall on my '02 Limited 4x4 around 150,000 miles at the time. Texas Farm Bureau is who I use. Well, they totaled it out citing structural damage. They first offered me $7500 which was immediately followed by my loud F.U.. They told me they didn't evaluate vehicle value by NADA or Kelly's Blue Book...they actually use JD Power & Associates to do their values. I told them that I, just like every other American and car dealership used NADA and KBB to get values. After going online and coming up with several examples identical to my car, they came back with an offer of $10,100. They gave me the option to buy it back for $2500 so I jumped on it! After saying all of that...be sure to check your vehicle value, make sure they don't try to pull one over you!!! Don't be afraid to turn down their offer. Best of luck!
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fightman80
New member
You know you post alot, and been here a long time.. when you don't remember posting in a thread! lol! Found, that I posted last year! lol!
That being said... I'm very interested to hear what happened with the O.P......
That being said... I'm very interested to hear what happened with the O.P......
denverunner
New member
I was browsing through my old threads - sorry for reviving the dead, but I never posted an update (sorry!).
For anyone that is still interested...... I got paid out $4700 by Progressive and somehow managed to retain FULL coverage on the vehicle. Paid $200 for parts from local parts yard and got her all fixed up myself.
The key was to not back down on the valuation with the insurance (stand your ground!) and the adjuster itemized the repairs out to $4700. Ultimately, they ended up cutting me a check so that I could "get it fixed wherever I wanted" and somehow I was still able to fully insure it.
For anyone that is still interested...... I got paid out $4700 by Progressive and somehow managed to retain FULL coverage on the vehicle. Paid $200 for parts from local parts yard and got her all fixed up myself.
The key was to not back down on the valuation with the insurance (stand your ground!) and the adjuster itemized the repairs out to $4700. Ultimately, they ended up cutting me a check so that I could "get it fixed wherever I wanted" and somehow I was still able to fully insure it.
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