Totaled 2010 Trail Help w/ Geico

[reklov]

Totaled 2010 Trail from drunk driver. What 2 do w/Geico. Let me know your experiences

So it ends up that as I was trying to sell my truck, last week a drunk driver thought it would be a great idea to drive around Portland while totally sh*tfaced and pass out at the wheel. olice: We were rear ended and luckily our truck saved us. Unfortunately the damage to my vehicles rear and frame has made it so that the truck is a total loss. We are both okay. Very sore, but okay. I am insured with Geico as is she and Geico seems to be handling everything. They are having an estimator come out and I guess pay off the loan and whatever is left to me.

Has anyone had this happen? I had removed most aftermarket stuff but not all of it from my truck before this happened so luckily I won't be losing much on that stuff. I did want to remove my tires, but they said it'd be a better idea to keep them on the truck for the estimator. Not sure if this is to benefit them or what.

Am I going to get screwed on this now? I wanted at least 34k on my sale. Seems like it was pretty reasonable with no dings, dents or problems, but I have a feeling I will probably just get them to pay off the remainder of my loan and that's it.

What are your experiences with Geico or having to total a new vehicle with under 25k miles.

 

[brockeverly]

Geico sucks ass when it comes to claims in my experience. A woman ran a stop sign Oct 2010, we still have not been paid out on the claim. My advice is this, get an atty NOW, don't wait. They will take any avenue they can to not pay.

 

[combatmedic]

Geico sucks ass when it comes to claims in my experience. A woman ran a stop sign Oct 2010, we still have not been paid out on the claim. My advice is this, get an atty NOW, don't wait. They will take any avenue they can to not pay.

Yup. The longer you wait, the harder it is to collect.

 

[reklov]

The shop has been really good and fast moving with this and I plan on getting the estimate and if not happy with it I may seek an attorney. The gal totaled her 2012 mazda 3. If we were in my gf's yaris that we were supposed to take that night I don't think we would have survived.

 

[1000MPH]

You hoped to get 34k for a 2 year old Trail? How much did you pay for it new before tax?

 

[reklov]

You hoped to get 34k for a 2 year old Trail? How much did you pay for it new before tax?

kbb is 32k and trails are hard to find around here. That is besides the point. I'm not asking for criticism. I'm asking for your experiences and thoughts.

You don't even know what is on the 4runner.
Thanks for your bs post.

 

[ATL4R]

You hoped to get 34k for a 2 year old Trail? How much did you pay for it new before tax?

I'm with 1000MPH. I purchased my 2011 Trail (base) brand new for right around that price. I'd imagine you would get 28-31k and I'd consider that to be very little depreciation.

 

[homeyclaus]

I am insured with Geico, and they have been pretty good to us.

Some guy cut my wife off and missed, hitting her fender, and lied about her doing something (she would have been on the median if what he said was true, but his insurer bought it) No issue.

Some lady decided my car was worth bashing with her door twice and to make a scene when she noticed I had filmed her doing that. They called me asking to collect on our behalf and had a field day with that. Apparently they hate door bashers.

So be reasonable, courteous, and you'll be surprised by how far they'll go. Get uppity and stuff, and yeah, you would not be my priority either.

 

[H2O_Doc]

Am I going to get screwed on this now? I wanted at least 34k on my sale. Seems like it was pretty reasonable with no dings, dents or problems, but I have a feeling I will probably just get them to pay off the remainder of my loan and that's it.

What are your experiences with Geico or having to total a new vehicle with under 25k miles.

I recently had a similar situation albeit with State Farm. I got a little bit more than that for a 2011 SR5. The offer was based on the retail value of the car on the used car market at the time of the accident.

Although a bad situation, I actually came out ok after they compensated me for injury (I didn't even have to ask for anything). There was also some restitution that the driver had to pay for items insurance didn't cover.

I know you are working with Geico and that is different, but my State Farm representative went after Liberty Mutual in an admirable fashion and there was never an argument or terse word. Be polite, informed, calm, and firm and I think you have a reasonable chance of being made whole.

 

[Ukie]

I'm not affiliated with an insurance industry, but here's my common-sense advise:
1. Do you homework. Find a market value of 2010 Trail based on your mileage, options and condition using any two reputable sources...I guess it's KBB and NADA. My insurance agent told me that insurance companies are required to use an average from two sources to provide an accurate market value.
2. Create a list of all mods on a truck, list their price, labor cost and subtract some % for depreciation (if any). That's $$$ you would like to get for your mods.
3. Add 1 and 2. If Geico is offering you less, don't agree to that, talk to them or find an attorney.
4. If you find that Geico is not handling your case in a proper/timely manner, find an attorney from the very beginning.
5. Continue to pay your loan until your case in resolved and Geico cuts a check to you or your bank.
6. Consider buying back your salvaged 4Runner for parts (or whatever).

They are having an estimator come out and I guess pay off the loan and whatever is left to me.

4runner holds it's value pretty good, so I believe there will be something for you.

reklov, do you have a limited or full tort on your insurance policy?

 

[Kinnick]

Glad to hear you are all okay. It sounds like it could have been much worse. I would first go to KBB and get estimates of what your truck is worth given the mileage and options for suggested dealer retail. Do not look at the private party or trade-in value. I would also do a search in your area from sites like cars.com or autotrader.com and see what dealers are asking for suggested retail for similar year and mileage. Since the trail is so rare you may have to broaden your search distance. These figures should give you a ballpark figure of your truck's value and this should be the amount to expect from her insurance company. Remember, the adjuster for her insurance will try to lowball you an offer. Show them you have done your homework and you expect to be compensated accordingly. They should also be paying for the cost of you having to get a rental vehicle in the meantime if you need. It doesn't sound like you have any medical bills but if you did there is a multiplier for that as well. Good luck.

 

[audigy88]

Geico sucks ass when it comes to claims in my experience. A woman ran a stop sign Oct 2010, we still have not been paid out on the claim. My advice is this, get an atty NOW, don't wait. They will take any avenue they can to not pay.

I agree! Our '08 pathfinder was hit from the rear while parked it went up the curb and hit another car by a drunk driver, unfortunately both of us were insured by geico. I really wanted the car to be totalled but the adjuster did not want to, saying that the damage was not enough (His estimate was about 9k) so I took it to a good body shop where I told them I want nissan genuine parts.The adjuster then called me and tried to convince me that OEM parts are better than genuine but I insisted, so geico ended up paying about 16k. Next I was claiming for the diminished value of the pathfinder, they were trying to delay and delay and delay till I found the email address of the VP of claims which we told the adjuster we were going to email her if i don't get the check within 10 days and the process went faster, took me 3 months all in all. BTW It was too late for me to hire a lawyer because I already traded the pathfinder for the 4runner :bash: for the reason that Geico initially agreed to pay the amount (got less than half the agreed DV amount). Geico will always find ways and means to pay the least amount or not pay at all, this is what they are good at! IMHO, having a lawyer would be the best. Followup/update with Geico as often as you can.

 

[4everunner]

No experience, sorry, i thought it is going to be more then 32K… Good thing you were in 4runner that day.
I bought little honda element for work and to save on gas to cruise @ city with my family, but drove 2-3 times(with kids and wife) and i just dont feel comfortable driving in that “box” with little kids. Wanna sell it and get truck.


Good luck and hope you get treated fear. :hatsoff:

 

[brockeverly]

I am insured with Geico, and they have been pretty good to us.

Some guy cut my wife off and missed, hitting her fender, and lied about her doing something (she would have been on the median if what he said was true, but his insurer bought it) No issue.

Some lady decided my car was worth bashing with her door twice and to make a scene when she noticed I had filmed her doing that. They called me asking to collect on our behalf and had a field day with that. Apparently they hate door bashers.

So be reasonable, courteous, and you'll be surprised by how far they'll go. Get uppity and stuff, and yeah, you would not be my priority either.

They never hear from me, much less have me be "uppity, etc". When they need something, they call, and I give it to them. After a few months of having my wife dealing with it I got fed up and turned it over to an atty. They do not respond to the atty either.

 

[1000MPH]

kbb is 32k and trails are hard to find around here. That is besides the point. I'm not asking for criticism. I'm asking for your experiences and thoughts.

You don't even know what is on the 4runner.
Thanks for your bs post.

I wasn't criticizing I was hoping.

Guess I'm not gonna ask a family member that works in estimatics about your situ. Good luck.

 

[Ukie]

I am insured with Geico as is she

is it a good or bad scenario, does anyone know?

 

[TXBoy]

You hoped to get 34k for a 2 year old Trail? How much did you pay for it new before tax?

Very sorry to here about your accident. You should/will receive "fair" market value for the car. You can negotiate for a higher settlement based CURRENT prices...which includes supply and demand. We all know how difficult it is to find a Trail new or used. Do your own homework about Trail prices around the country and be prepared to show Geico your findings. You WILL receive more than your current loan payoff (assuming you owe less than the value). If not I hope you had GAP insurance. I have a 2010 Trail Edition and I bet you could receive 33k-36k from Geico...hope this helps.
(Trails are so rare here in Texas I bet you could get 34k trade in...)
I do not sell insurance or cars, just my experience.

 

[joneseyyy]

Geico has treated me fairly on 2 past claims (1 at fault collision and one break in). Good luck, and glad you're ok.

 

[Ukie]

If not I hope you had GAP insurance.

It's not the case with T4R. 4Runner doesn't depreciate fast enough, so basically after first 12 or so payment, you owe less than 4Runner worth on a market.

 

[TXBoy]

It's not the case with T4R. 4Runner doesn't depreciate fast enough, so basically after first 12 or so payment, you owe less than 4Runner worth on a market.

Totally agree...

But, I don't know his situation. Some people drag negative equity from an old car to a new car with a minimal down payment.