Someone hit my 4Runner- Insurance assistance requested

[nytosc]

Hey everyone, hoping I can get some insight into how to deal with insurance as I have never filed a claim in my life.

Situation:
My 4Runner was parked on the street when a neighbor’s car parked in a driveway on a hill rolled backwards into me(idiot did not set the parking break or keep his manual in gear). Most of the impact seems to have been a direct hit to the wheel.

Damage:
• Front bumper is scuffed up pretty bad, hanging points appear broken.
• Rim is scratched
• Centercap is busted
• When taking it for a drive, the steering wheel is off center and it does not drive straight- kinda drives jumpy. I just had it aligned a few weeks ago and it drove perfect before.

Status:
• I did not want my insurance involved, so I contacted my neighbors and filed a claim. They had me submit pictures of the damage, and offered me $600. I assume that is just because they cannot see the potential suspension damage. They said once it’s in a shop and they get more info, they can always add it to the claim.

Questions:
1. First off, damage wise, I am most concerned with the suspension; could the upper control arms be damaged? Lowers? Tie rod ends? Steering rack?
2. Am I correct that it’s a bad idea for me to get my insurance company involved and that it should go through theirs?
3. They are saying they wont use OEM parts; can I demand OEM parts to be used in the repair? This is especially important for me when it comes to suspension components.
4. Can I just get a check cut for the total damage and fix it on my own?
5. Related to #4, let’s say the $600 is for the body damage, can I take it to a shop, have them check out the truck and verify suspension issues, revise estimate, have them fix the suspension issues then get a check for the body damage? (Considering an aftermarket bumper).

 

[Fern]

Get your insurance involved.
They could low ball you on repair costs and if you agree to the $600 and it costs more, then it's coming out of your pocket.
You didn't do anything wrong so there is no reason not to contact them. It's why you pay premiums.

 

[Booyashaka]

The offer made by your neighbor's insurance is pretty horrible. They are pretty much hoping you take the $600 and close the case.

Get your insurance involved. It shouldn't affect your rates as you aren't at fault.

Pretty cut and dry case....you car is parked on the street, neighbor's car rolls into your car.

Get your insurance involved. Let them handle it. It'll reduce your stress by letting the pros take care of the situation, in the meantime you'll be able to take your car to your insurance's authorized body shop and let them do the dirty work of getting reimbursed by your neighbor's insurance.

Good luck!

 

[mscot]

Everything Booyashaka said and yes you can insist on OEM.

 

[MN4runnerman]

Never take the first offer. I had someone rearend me a couple weeks ago in my 08 Buick. I filed a claim told them to send out an adjuster because I didn’t want to send pictures through the app(that’s how they lowball you because they really can’t tell what kind of damage there is except for what’s readily available to see). I then took it into a body shop and had them make an estimate, gave them my claim number, and had the body shop send a copy to the insurance company. When the adjuster came out he had a copy of the estimate that was sent and they came in $50 under the body shops estimate. Before I agreed I called the shop to see if they could work with the offer and when they agreed, I accepted the insurance company’s offer.


-take it to a shop(hopefully before their adjuster arrives so then they have an estimate and an idea of what it will really take to fix it)
-you already used their app and sent pictures but it really is just a way for them to lowball you. Always do it the old fashioned way with live people inspecting the vehicle.
-you don’t have to accept their first offer
-about using Oem parts you can try to have them do the repairs with them but you have to ask and push(don’t piss them off though) them. Most times they will always suggest aftermarket because it’s cheaper. What I’d do is see if you can have them do suspension components with Oem parts, then have them do cosmetic repairs using either aftermarket or recycled parts. You can ask the body shop to put Oem parts into their estimate and have that version sent out. When it comes down to it the insurance company wants to get out of this as cheaply as possible and it really depends on how old your 4Runner is.

Oh and I’m guessing the true cost of repairing the front bumper only is at least $1000. My Buick when it was hit received a 1 inch crack in the rear bumper. That 1 inch crack cost $1200 to repair.

 

[nvbirdman]

After a stinkin' little $600 offer from their ins co, I would urge you to hit them up for a rental car while your truck is being repaired.

 

[pDubs]

Why do you not want your insurance involved? You are not at fault here and your insurance will handle properly fixing your 4runner and going after your neighbor's insurance for what they paid. No hassle on your end, it's why you have it.

 

[Desmoface]

Take it to a reputable shop, preferably one that the other parties insurance company works with, get an estimate - submit it to the insurance company and they should work with the repair facility to repair the damage. If the insurance company has a relationship with the repair facility, that will make the entire process a lot smoother.

As far as Oem vs remanufactured parts; most insurance companies go by the age of the vehicle - for example; if your vehicle is under a yr old, you get factory parts, older than 1 yr, you get remanufactured. Their rationale is that your vehicle is used, we are going to give you used parts. Not saying I agree or disagree but it is what it is.

The benefit of going through the other parties insurance is you won’t have to pay your deductible - if you go through your insurance company you will have to pay your deductible and wait for the subrogation process to get your deductible back.

This is all assuming you aren’t in a true no-fault state, such as Michigan; that’s a whole nother story.

Steve

 

[jordanrb81]

Hey everyone, hoping I can get some insight into how to deal with insurance as I have never filed a claim in my life.

Situation:
My 4Runner was parked on the street when a neighbor’s car parked in a driveway on a hill rolled backwards into me(idiot did not set the parking break or keep his manual in gear). Most of the impact seems to have been a direct hit to the wheel.

Damage:
• Front bumper is scuffed up pretty bad, hanging points appear broken.
• Rim is scratched
• Centercap is busted
• When taking it for a drive, the steering wheel is off center and it does not drive straight- kinda drives jumpy. I just had it aligned a few weeks ago and it drove perfect before.

Status:
• I did not want my insurance involved, so I contacted my neighbors and filed a claim. They had me submit pictures of the damage, and offered me $600. I assume that is just because they cannot see the potential suspension damage. They said once it’s in a shop and they get more info, they can always add it to the claim.

Questions:
1. First off, damage wise, I am most concerned with the suspension; could the upper control arms be damaged? Lowers? Tie rod ends? Steering rack?
2. Am I correct that it’s a bad idea for me to get my insurance company involved and that it should go through theirs?
3. They are saying they wont use OEM parts; can I demand OEM parts to be used in the repair? This is especially important for me when it comes to suspension components.
4. Can I just get a check cut for the total damage and fix it on my own?
5. Related to #4, let’s say the $600 is for the body damage, can I take it to a shop, have them check out the truck and verify suspension issues, revise estimate, have them fix the suspension issues then get a check for the body damage? (Considering an aftermarket bumper).

So in the interest of full disclosure I have carried a P&C Insurance license in 4 states for the last ten years. I will go backwards, well sort of, starting with #4 you are not required to fix the damage to your vehicle, what that $600.00 represents is likely an ACV estimate of damage, if you have no intention of fixing it or plan to fix it yourself, that is the only offer you will get. 3/5 kind of go together and represent what I would encourage you to do. Take the vehicle to a good repair shop, the best one you know about and one you trust, have them put it on a lift and produce an estimate, submit that estimate to the insurance company even if the quote is $2,600.00 it is their responsibility to pay it. often times they will offer to pay the shop directly, which is fine as long as they do great work. I would tell the shop you want OEM parts, they will base the quote on those numbers and send it to the insurance company. I won't name names but not all insurance companies treat people the same way, even though they are all governed by the same laws. In regards to contacting your insurance company, I don't know where this fear comes from but it's a common misconception. You were not at fault!!! Hence your insurance rates WILL NOT GO UP. this is fact not opinion, if the other guys insurance company is giving you a hard time getting your insurance company involved may be the exact play you want to make. In your insurance contract there is a "Subrogation" Clause what that will basically say is if the other guy is jerking you around YOUR insurance company will step in and pay your claim and basically sue the other guys insurance company. You should use this as a last resort. the basic protocol here is the insurance company is going to make an offer based on clearly not enough info (a cell phone camera on the road cannot illustrate frame damage) Take it to your shop, or a shop of your choice, tell the shop you want OEM parts and have the shop send the estimate directly or send the quote yourself to your claims adjuster. in regards to question 1 I have no idea about the damage and neither does anyone else who hasn't been under your vehicle. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Edit: while I am very well informed regarding insurance laws in for example my home state I am not familiar with insurance laws in California, which could possibly be very different. but generally speaking what is written above should be pretty close to accurate.

 

[Desmoface]

California is similar to most of the other states in the union. The true no-fault states are an entirely different story (I’m licensed in all fity states); Michigan, and NJ to some extent, come to mind.

Steve

 

[nytosc]

Hey everyone,

Just to close the loop, I ended up taking your advise. My big concern was my rates would go up- luckily as others have mentioned, they will not go up as CA law prevents such rate increases. Truck is all repaired (luckily just needed an alignment) and I can live with the cosmetic damage (minor).

Jesse

 

[ninjaexplosion]

Never ever take the first offer.. insurance companies are like car sales men. When I wrecked mine they started at 7k, I got 11k.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Hey everyone,

Just to close the loop, I ended up taking your advise. My big concern was my rates would go up- luckily as others have mentioned, they will not go up as CA law prevents such rate increases. Truck is all repaired (luckily just needed an alignment) and I can live with the cosmetic damage (minor).

Jesse

Why would you live with any damage? It should be fixed back to exactly the way it was before. BTW, it doesn't just need an alignment, that's total BS If it was hit hard enough to knock the alignment out, something is bent and it's not the way it should be. Man up, demand it be fixed, if you don't, that's a big shame on you.

 

[nytosc]

Why would you live with any damage? It should be fixed back to exactly the way it was before. BTW, it doesn't just need an alignment, that's total BS If it was hit hard enough to knock the alignment out, something is bent and it's not the way it should be. Man up, demand it be fixed, if you don't, that's a big shame on you.

I am living with the damage because its a few scuffs on an already scuffed bumper, and I would rather take the insurance payout and use it for something else. Vehicle was taken to the best Toyota off road shop in San Diego (Truck Shop) for full inspection- no bent components. Thank you for your concern though.

 

[JLTD]

The offer made by your neighbor's insurance is pretty horrible. They are pretty much hoping you take the $600 and close the case.

Get your insurance involved. It shouldn't affect your rates as you aren't at fault.

Pretty cut and dry case....you car is parked on the street, neighbor's car rolls into your car.

Get your insurance involved. Let them handle it. It'll reduce your stress by letting the pros take care of the situation, in the meantime you'll be able to take your car to your insurance's authorized body shop and let them do the dirty work of getting reimbursed by your neighbor's insurance.

Good luck!

Agree 100%. I used to do insurance liability. Whatever you decide, do NOT take a check from them or sign anything, until your vehicle is repaired and you are doing the final pick up from the repair shop.

I would also go through my own insurance...it may depend on your financial situation and your deductible...at least call them, show the pictures your vehicle was legally parked, and find out the process. Disadvantage: rental vehicle while yours is in the shop.

If you can't stomach the deductible or can't be without a vehicle, tell the other company which body shop you'll take it to and send them something in writing about it not driving straight and that you suspect frame and/or suspension damage. Also make sure to ask them for a similar replacement vehicle while yours is in the shop. Keep in mind they are required by law to "make you whole", or to return you to where you were prior to the accident.

I would definitely call your own insurance company, there is probably a clause in your policy which states that all damage to your vehicle must be reported...and you don't want your policy voided!!


edit: Just read ALL the way through...good luck with everything if you decide to spend the $$ elsewhere....keep in mind that future damage to the same area might not be covered.

 

[laurel_mae]

Find a reputable & trustworthy repair facility.
Go to them with your claim filed through your neighbors insurance & see what their process is in order to get your vehicle repaired. They will be able to help you with the claims process and getting your vehicle repaired to pre-loss condition.
You can insist on OEM parts, as a claimant (not being at fault), you have that pull, as well as them owing you a rental vehicle at their expense.


Good luck with everything!

 

[DriveT4R]

Varies by state. Most states allow for and insurance companies use aftermarket or used parts. OEM is not always guaranteed or owed. Check local regulations. And if you don't have one ask your insurance company if they sell all OEM endorsements. Usually cheap and will guarantee OEM if you file through your own. My endorsement is less than $100/year

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[Iwantablue4thgen]

If you have any issues that are not being handled to your satisfaction,don’t be afraid to call your States Insurance Comissioners Office. Don’t let the insurance companies jerk You around. I had my case fixed and closed in 3 days after calling them. I tried for months on my own lol.

Good luck!

 

[FinSport]

As you negotiate out the repair cost, have the shop put on an ARB instead of the factory Tupperware.