Just got into an accident...

[atalarico]

So, I've never had an accident before but a car in front of me spun out on black ice and forced me to brake, lock up, and spin out too. I hit a cement barrier and then a guard railing at about 30ish mph (probably slower on account of the braking and spinning).


Here's the damage:

So, first thing's first, this truck has a ton of sentimental value to me and I've put a ton of blood, sweat, and tears into it's maintenance and modifications. I had intentions on keeping it forever, and I have another car that I daily. I am extremely sad about my truck.

As for the damage, as far as I could tell, the rad is busted and that's all I could tell for engine damage. The body damage is probably going to be the most expensive part. Also, the airbags deployed.

I have it fully insured through Progressive with a $1,000 deductible for collision. I know insurance is going to try to low-ball me on a total, right? So what should I do? I bought it for $6500 back in 2010 and comparable ones are selling for $5-6k still in Denver (as far as I could see on Craigslist). Do I just negotiate with them on the check they're going to cut to total it out and have the salvage title? I honestly don't care about resale value or anything like that. Do I take it to the collision shop that's about a block from me to get their estimate?

 

[jordanrb81]

So for starters I am totally shocked that you had collision coverage on a vehicle that age and value, especially with that high a deductible, if you were my client, I would have strongly advised against that. you are likely going to get less than $4,000.00 from the insurance company, when you net that against the cost you've been paying for full coverage over the last 5 years you probably would have been better off just self insuring. but that's the past. the answer is yes, all you can do is make the claim and then offer to buy back the vehicle from the insurance company. Assuming they consider it a total loss the way it works is you give them the title for the check, then you'll have to buy back the vehicle from them. to calculate a fair settlement amount I would check with NADA or Kelly Blue Book enter in the vehicle data, be honest about it's condition before the accident and look at the "private sale" price. then of course subtract your deductible. Mod, unless you had them listed on the policy and insured will not impact the value.

 

[atalarico]

Bump.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Sorry to hear that. I'm glad I stayed home yesterday, road conditions looked horrible on the news. It can't hurt to get an estimate but I would strongly consider just taking the money. I've had all sorts of electrical gremlins plague every car with repaired front end damage.

My last car, before the 4R, had fairly minor front end damage when someone ran a red light and I T-boned them... after that my batteries lasted 4 months, tops. I traded that car in for my 4R after spending almost $1K to try and troubleshoot with no success.

 

[Juicy]

Take all your goodies off it and find another one with less miles and put all your goodies on the new one. I think everything happens for a reason and there may be a much better truck out there with your name on it. That's what happened to me, I thought I bought my dream truck and it got totaled 3 months later but because of that happening I found another one that was a million times better than the one I had and I am so happy it all happened.

And if you do get a check from them, make sure it's reasonable. You can dispute their offer if you think it's too low.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks for the input all. Colorado is one of two states that is a 100% total loss threshold state, so the damages will have to meet or exceed 100% of the value of my vehicle. I have found countless listings for comparable vehicles (mileage, trim, options, etc.) for $5-6.5k-ish. I know they're going to low-ball it at $4k, which with the airbags I'm sure will be damn close to repairing *everything*, but what I'm curious about is repairing the body work and letting me replace the radiator and anything else internally that might be damaged.

I'm just curious to hear from those who have gone through this before. I want to keep my 4Runner, and I really don't care about the salvage title. I'm OK with having to spend a grand or two on top of the insurance check to fix it up since it has literally everything I could ask for, and I've done every single piece of preventative maintenance for this thing to last another 100k without major work being needed.

Can I just have the collision shop (literally at the end of my street) fix the body to the bare minimum so I can tow it back to my driveway to replace the radiator and headlight (which I literally just replaced with a '99 last month...sigh) myself?

Does insurance require me to get everything done by the collision shop in order for that to be an estimate? I get that the airbags are going to be a pain to replace, and I'm kind of even considering not since I don't daily it, and it really is just for mountain stuff here.

 

[617Runner]

That sucks man. Here in MA insurance only cares that a car is repaired completely by a certified shop if there is a lien on it. I've had them cut me checks for accidents (not at fault) and have repaired the damage myself. I doubt this should be an issue given the model year of the vehicle.

Hard to tell from the pics but the radiator support may be damaged which is costly if you want it repaired since they usually replace them due to safety regs. Most shops won't straighten them unless it's minor damage. If the driver's side rail is bent I say take the check, strip the truck and start shopping. Good luck.

 

[TCLLC]

something to consider, where I live if the roads are hazardous and they are not out taking care of them, the state is liable for your damages. yes there are conditions that need to be met, but does not hurt looking into it

 

[jordanrb81]

Thanks for the input all. Colorado is one of two states that is a 100% total loss threshold state, so the damages will have to meet or exceed 100% of the value of my vehicle. I have found countless listings for comparable vehicles (mileage, trim, options, etc.) for $5-6.5k-ish. I know they're going to low-ball it at $4k, which with the airbags I'm sure will be damn close to repairing *everything*, but what I'm curious about is repairing the body work and letting me replace the radiator and anything else internally that might be damaged.

I'm just curious to hear from those who have gone through this before. I want to keep my 4Runner, and I really don't care about the salvage title. I'm OK with having to spend a grand or two on top of the insurance check to fix it up since it has literally everything I could ask for, and I've done every single piece of preventative maintenance for this thing to last another 100k without major work being needed.

Can I just have the collision shop (literally at the end of my street) fix the body to the bare minimum so I can tow it back to my driveway to replace the radiator and headlight (which I literally just replaced with a '99 last month...sigh) myself?

Does insurance require me to get everything done by the collision shop in order for that to be an estimate? I get that the airbags are going to be a pain to replace, and I'm kind of even considering not since I don't daily it, and it really is just for mountain stuff here.

So the answer to your question is; it depends (this is why people hate insurance companies) Insurance requires the estimate to include ALL repairs, if it exceeds the total threshold they just stop counting. so, this is an extreme example but if it cost 10,000 to repair your car they don't care because it went over the 4,000 value. (5,000 if you include your deductible) So if it's under threshold then YES the quote will need to include all repairs. if it's over it doesn't matter they're just going to take your title and cut you a check, then you can begin the process of buying your vehicle back from them and repair it however you want. It's important to remember the reason insurance exists. insurance is designed to transfer risk, typically a risk that you yourself cannot bear or one that would result in financial devastation. additionally and in this case perhaps more importantly it is supposed to put you back to where you were before the incident, no better, no worse. the Problem with any vehicle really in excess of 10 years is that if it's been well maintained and is in excellent working order it is usually worth more to the owner (because of how useful it is) than it's actual cash value. particularly if there is sentimental value. the only way to really insure that is with an "agreed value" policy rather than an ACV policy which most people don't even know about let alone know how to get.

I should have mentioned this in my first response, I do carry a P&C insurance license and have been in the insurance business for 10+ years I also have obtained and INS 21 and 22.

 

[MaxKatt]

So...posting just because I wrecked to, and apparently am coming over to the Toyota side.

Trashed 2a 008 Nissan Xterra...that I f-ing loved!, 140k, ice skating by myself in a snow storm...which was fine...until I encountered a woman attempting to execute a k-turn on the downhill outside of a turn in the dark.

Looked like only a couple doors to me, but Johnny Insurance said "game over"

So, I need to fit road/mtb bikes in the back of a quality 6-cylnder, so here I am.


help me Toyota people!

 

[Off-choader]

So...posting just because I wrecked to, and apparently am coming over to the Toyota side.

Trashed 2a 008 Nissan Xterra...that I f-ing loved!, 140k, ice skating by myself in a snow storm...which was fine...until I encountered a woman attempting to execute a k-turn on the downhill outside of a turn in the dark.

Looked like only a couple doors to me, but Johnny Insurance said "game over"

So, I need to fit road/mtb bikes in the back of a quality 6-cylnder, so here I am.


help me Toyota people!

Welcome fam! Sorry to hear about your wreck

 

[JBurt]

Sorry to hear about your wreck, but glad you're okay. If it was me I would try to get the insurance to give you a cash out option, have the shop fix what you can't/won't, then do the rest yourself. As long as the frame is still straight I think you're probably in okay shape.

You might also want to post in the 3rd gen section, plenty of guys over there have wrecked their rigs. Good luck.

 

[MrJux]

I'm just curious to hear from those who have gone through this before. I want to keep my 4Runner, and I really don't care about the salvage title. I'm OK with having to spend a grand or two on top of the insurance check to fix it up since it has literally everything I could ask for, and I've done every single piece of preventative maintenance for this thing to last another 100k without major work being needed.

Can I just have the collision shop (literally at the end of my street) fix the body to the bare minimum so I can tow it back to my driveway to replace the radiator and headlight (which I literally just replaced with a '99 last month...sigh) myself?

Does insurance require me to get everything done by the collision shop in order for that to be an estimate? I get that the airbags are going to be a pain to replace, and I'm kind of even considering not since I don't daily it, and it really is just for mountain stuff here.

These really are questions for your insurance company. I used to work in insurance, and every situation is different - we can all tell you our own experience, but I'd be hesitant to put too much credence into them. Progressive may want you to use one of their approved shops, or they may just give you a check. Their website suggests you can either use their shops or your own, but again, it may be situation dependent. The first step will be having an adjuster examine it and calculate their estimate, after which they'll review the options. The airbag deployment could take you close to being totaled, in which case the money is yours to do with as you choose, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the situation you find yourself in.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks for the input, all.

Quick update: they totaled it. After a bit of back and forth I got the "I keep" value up to $4880, and the "they keep" value at $5700. So, feeling like that was pretty decent considering I bought it 8 years ago for $6500. Sure, it doesn't include the $2000 worth of lift/cvj cvs/tranny cooler/etc, but I didn't have extra equipment listed on my insurance so that's just what it is.

Anyway, I had them drop it off at a reputable collision shop. Unfortunately the initial quick glance he gave it makes him think the frame might be really damaged. He asked if I was paying out of pocket as we were talking about how bummed I was since I loved the truck so much. I explained I was hoping to just get it drivable, and not pretty, since it really is just an off-road recreational vehicle that I drive a few times a month at most. With that in mind said he'd take a deeper dive on Monday to make sure.

So, I'm gutted still since I'm guessing it will be the worst outcome. With that I've been browsing 4Runners in a 300 mile radius in the $8k range. If I let Progressive keep it, what exactly can I take off to transfer to my new 4Runner, and how? Do I have them tow it to my house, take off things (like my recent ToyTec lift (the second in it's life), CVJ CVs, tranny cooler, TBU (rotors and calipers), and my 90% life left Duratracs) and then pay for the tow for it to go back to Progressive's yard? I mean, if I take off all of that stuff it will be on blocks. Or do I have to buy the other car first (without the check from Progressive) transfer enough back and forth to make the old one towable?

I'm torn between getting a nice 3rd gen for $8k or a more used 4th gen for that or a little more. I've read a ton on the forums on 3rd vs 4th, but I'm still unsure. I'll drive both and see what speaks to me more.

 

[jordanrb81]

I would ask your claims rep pretty much this exact question. be totally upfront and honest. regarding tires, you can buy used tires at a lot of tire shops, as long as they match and are the right size (stock size) they shouldn't care. regarding the lift.. there's a lot more to that than just the tires. I don't know how this will go but if they aren't compensating your for the mods, as they weren't insured, then technically it's not part of the claim. however your vehicle is expected to have tires and a suspension etc. so anything you take off you need at least something to return in it's place. if your claims rep is cool they will walk you through a best practice.

 

[atalarico]

I would ask your claims rep pretty much this exact question. be totally upfront and honest. regarding tires, you can buy used tires at a lot of tire shops, as long as they match and are the right size (stock size) they shouldn't care. regarding the lift.. there's a lot more to that than just the tires. I don't know how this will go but if they aren't compensating your for the mods, as they weren't insured, then technically it's not part of the claim. however your vehicle is expected to have tires and a suspension etc. so anything you take off you need at least something to return in it's place. if your claims rep is cool they will walk you through a best practice.

Thanks for the input. I'm just nervous about being upfront with them sometimes because sometimes it feels like they use my honesty against me. Then again, I'm sure it's preferable to getting in trouble for pulling a bunch of stuff off of their salvaged car too.

While I await the verdict from body shop on Monday I've been looking at new rigs. I'm really torn between higher mileage (~180k) 4th gens or 2001-02 3rd gens (~180k). The 4th gens would all need a lift and a bumper at least but that extra power of the V8 would be amazing going up passes and hills here in Colorado. The 3rd gens I've been looking at though are all pretty nice examples and would be mostly trail ready really. They're all in that $6-8000 range. The trick is that I really maybe only put a few thousand miles on it a year as a second car, so higher mileage isn't as big of a concern (should it be?).

If the call comes from the body shop on Monday then I'm going to be test driving them all this week.