Wreck caused "Total Loss" - Insurance advice needed please!

[Trik444]

Last Friday a driver lost control of his vehicle trying to change lanes on the freeway and ran into the front fender/wheel and tire of my 4runner which caused me to get pinched between his Tundra and the cement barrier of the freeway. The damage was concentrated to my fenders, passenger door, snapped the coil-over (also need new knuckles/LCA/UCA) and I had to limp it off the freeway. Somehow the front bumper, hood, engine and all engine components made it out unscathed and no leaks. And as of yesterday it sounds like there is NO structural damage. Luckily, everyone was ok and the driver had insurance and I had a witness to back up what happened.

Fast forward to this week and his insurance company, Progressive, called me and said it's going to be a total loss. Honestly I was bracing myself for this thinking they were going to try to lowball me on the value and overshoot the repair bill to try and total it out. Turns out I was right...however I'm absolutely surprised at the figures. My 2005 4runner Sport 4x4 has 190k on the clock and all of the upgrades mentioned in my signature line below. It has been the best and most reliable automobile I've ever owned and it probably had another 100k left in it as I took exceptional care of it.

Progressive is offering $7,200 and they are claiming over $8,500 in repair cost. The adjuster provided 7 local comps. None of them have 4WD or the benefits of having 4WD (rear locking diff, downhill assist control, etc.). And none of them are the Sport Edition...just basic SR5. Mileage is similar on all comps but he only gave a total of $585 for the aftermarket work - $130 for the wheels, $405 for the lift kit and $50 for full tint. No value was assigned for the 275/70/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers which were almost brand new (though he sure built the full retail cost of two tires into his repair estimate). No value was assigned for the aftermarket alarm or remote start.

I have done my own research and quickly found 5 comps on Autotrader between 14k-17k list price with 4WD and Sport. I also have receipts for all aftermarket work and maintenance receipts to prove I kept the 4runner in incredible operating condition.

Can you suggest anything else I can provide the insurance adjuster or anything else I can argue to get them to provide a higher value? I don't believe $7,200 is what my 4runner is worth nor is it enough to replace my 4runner with something comparable. Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? The accident has been deemed 100% the fault of THEIR insured motorist. Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide. Pics will be loaded shortly.

 

[Mjrbrooks]

[MENTION=4470]Trik444[/MENTION] That SUUUUUCKS!!! It sounds like their adjuster isn't practicing the company's due diligence. I'm not familiar with their offer/counteroffer procedures, but it sounds like what you've found alone is enough to reproach their initial offer. If you've got an attorney friend, you might want to ask what your options are if this goes their way. Best of luck man, I'll be watching this thread for updates.

 

[toybox]

Can you have your insurance's adjuster value it? Or an independent adjuster like many people use for home repairs when the insurance gives a low quote?

 

[Trik444]

Wreck caused "Total Loss" - Insurance advice needed please!














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[CookieRoe]

Sorry to hear of your loss and happy to see no one was hurt. I have nothing to add, BUT I do see these on other forums and can't help but see that people just (don't know how) keep biting at them until they offer more money $$.

So only the fenders/parts of the suspension/door were affected? Doesn't sound bad to me, unless the suspension is totally wrecked. Any pics?

Good luck!

EDIT: nevermind on the pics. OUCH (on the Tundra). The suspension pic I can't tell, bumpers can be replaced on the cheap (I would think).

 

[Trik444]

Sorry to hear of your loss and happy to see no one was hurt. I have nothing to add, BUT I do see these on other forums and can't help but see that people just (don't know how) keep biting at them until they offer more money $$.

So only the fenders/parts of the suspension/door were affected? Doesn't sound bad to me, unless the suspension is totally wrecked. Any pics?

Good luck!

EDIT: nevermind on the pics. OUCH (on the Tundra). The suspension pic I can't tell, bumpers can be replaced on the cheap (I would think).

Yeah so I had a friend of mine who works at a body shop go check out the 4Runner at the collision center it's currently sitting at. After crawling over, under and through it he said max is 4k for repair. But at this point I would rather fight for a larger buyout number and put the cash down on a new or newish 4Runner.


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[philsey]

OP It would be very helpful for you to align your pics vertically.

 

[wadle5]

OP It would be very helpful for you to align your pics vertically.

solid input?

But OP I would definitely recommend calling out the adjuster and explaining your is 4wd and its stock options. Unless your policy includes your aftermarket add-ons usually an extra charge on policies you CANNOT figure those into your estimate. The vehicle will be repaired back to its stock configuration as figured by the insurance company on what they are insuring. But like you said having 4wd and the differential and being a sport model are things that should boost up the pricing. I thing your head is in the right area and would recommend countering and calling them out on it and showing them comps.

 

[1engineer]

Last Friday a driver lost control of his vehicle trying to change lanes on the freeway and ran into the front fender/wheel and tire of my 4runner which caused me to get pinched between his Tundra and the cement barrier of the freeway. The damage was concentrated to my fenders, passenger door, snapped the coil-over (also need new knuckles/LCA/UCA) and I had to limp it off the freeway. Somehow the front bumper, hood, engine and all engine components made it out unscathed and no leaks. And as of yesterday it sounds like there is NO structural damage. Luckily, everyone was ok and the driver had insurance and I had a witness to back up what happened.

Fast forward to this week and his insurance company, Progressive, called me and said it's going to be a total loss. Honestly I was bracing myself for this thinking they were going to try to lowball me on the value and overshoot the repair bill to try and total it out. Turns out I was right...however I'm absolutely surprised at the figures. My 2005 4runner Sport 4x4 has 190k on the clock and all of the upgrades mentioned in my signature line below. It has been the best and most reliable automobile I've ever owned and it probably had another 100k left in it as I took exceptional care of it.

Progressive is offering $7,200 and they are claiming over $8,500 in repair cost. The adjuster provided 7 local comps. None of them have 4WD or the benefits of having 4WD (rear locking diff, downhill assist control, etc.). And none of them are the Sport Edition...just basic SR5. Mileage is similar on all comps but he only gave a total of $585 for the aftermarket work - $130 for the wheels, $405 for the lift kit and $50 for full tint. No value was assigned for the 275/70/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers which were almost brand new (though he sure built the full retail cost of two tires into his repair estimate). No value was assigned for the aftermarket alarm or remote start.

I have done my own research and quickly found 5 comps on Autotrader between 14k-17k list price with 4WD and Sport. I also have receipts for all aftermarket work and maintenance receipts to prove I kept the 4runner in incredible operating condition.

Can you suggest anything else I can provide the insurance adjuster or anything else I can argue to get them to provide a higher value? I don't believe $7,200 is what my 4runner is worth nor is it enough to replace my 4runner with something comparable. Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? The accident has been deemed 100% the fault of THEIR insured motorist. Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide. Pics will be loaded shortly.

A dose of reality:
There are three values to a vehicle:
1. What YOU think it's worth
2. What OTHER people think it's worth
3. The real value

Aftermarket mods are worthless to everyone but you, except if you had special coverage.

What people are ASKING for vehicles similar to yours means nothing. This is not a house or real property. It's what people are PAYING for vehicles that determines value.

I did a quick check: Your vehicle in EXCELLENT condition (hardly any ever are) is worth around $7700. That's 4WD SE with 190K.

Since it's his insurance you can get a bit for mods. Maybe $500. You can also get loss of work comp time for running around and you can also get rental car and stuff like that. If you get a lawyer involved you will lose money. They have better ones.

I hope you do better but facts are facts. Good Luck!

 

[Trik444]

A dose of reality:
There are three values to a vehicle:
1. What YOU think it's worth
2. What OTHER people think it's worth
3. The real value

Aftermarket mods are worthless to everyone but you, except if you had special coverage.

What people are ASKING for vehicles similar to yours means nothing. This is not a house or real property. It's what people are PAYING for vehicles that determines value.

I did a quick check: Your vehicle in EXCELLENT condition (hardly any ever are) is worth around $7700. That's 4WD SE with 190K.

Since it's his insurance you can get a bit for mods. Maybe $500. You can also get loss of work comp time for running around and you can also get rental car and stuff like that. If you get a lawyer involved you will lose money. They have better ones.

I hope you do better but facts are facts. Good Luck!

I appreciate your feedback and I understand what you are saying. However, the adjuster used advertised pricing for his comps and adjusted them down around $700 on average for anticipated sales price. So that has already been taken into consideration.

I have 5 actual comps that are 4WD and Sport Edition listed between 16k-14k. If I'm using the adjusters equation of reducing price $700...that's still a S@$t ton higher than $7,200 in value...even without the aftermarket upgrades.


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[A.Wilson013]

When my wife was in an accident back in June (other driver's fault) I never once spoke to the other person's insurance. I called MY insurance (USAA) and told them what happened. USAA sent their appraiser to assess the damage and value the car.

When they were done they sent me a report of how they valued the car and the majority of them were overpriced cars at dealers. All with similar options, within one year (older or newer) and all with similar mileage.

Once I approved their report (I was SHOCKED at how much they said the car was worth as I was planning on selling it for much less) they direct deposited the total amount to my bank account and went after the other person's insurance to pay them.

This whole process took a whopping 4 or 5 days (including a weekend).

TL;DR get YOUR insurance involved and don't accept anything you don't feel is fair.

For what it's worth, my "Market Valuation Report" was prepared through "CCC One" for USAA. It very clearly lists all of the factors, and the 9 vehicles it compared it to. They valued my 10 year old Eclipse Nav unit at $500 (it was 10 years old...) and rated the interior as "excellent" though it was covered in dirt and dog hair from a hike we had done the weekend prior.

 

[Liquidmantis]

Guy A is minding his own business
Guy B hits Guy A
Guy A gets screwed and is expected to be out of pocket n dollars just to get back to the way he started his day.

And people wonder why we're a litigious society.

 

[wadle5]

When my wife was in an accident back in June (other driver's fault) I never once spoke to the other person's insurance. I called MY insurance (USAA) and told them what happened. USAA sent their appraiser to assess the damage and value the car.

When they were done they sent me a report of how they valued the car and the majority of them were overpriced cars at dealers. All with similar options, within one year (older or newer) and all with similar mileage.

Once I approved their report (I was SHOCKED at how much they said the car was worth as I was planning on selling it for much less) they direct deposited the total amount to my bank account and went after the other person's insurance to pay them.

This whole process took a whopping 4 or 5 days (including a weekend).

TL;DR get YOUR insurance involved and don't accept anything you don't feel is fair.

For what it's worth, my "Market Valuation Report" was prepared through "CCC One" for USAA. It very clearly lists all of the factors, and the 9 vehicles it compared it to. They valued my 10 year old Eclipse Nav unit at $500 (it was 10 years old...) and rated the interior as "excellent" though it was covered in dirt and dog hair from a hike we had done the weekend prior.

CCC One is just body shop repair estimate software. You can actually physically input anything into MVR just fyi. As the last part of your comment shows it really comes down to the appraiser and effort put in.

To the OP I would put their feet to the fire and get reasonable even more comparable vehicles for the valuation of your vehicle.

sincerely,
Former Body Shop manager


fun fact: USAA is one of the best insurance agencies out there when it comes to handling auto accidents and the process is extremely slick and stream lined. One of the many things I learned in the industry and made me realize how crappy my initial insurance company was.


EDIT: also take into account your buddies estimate is just that. They are never 100% accurate and locked in stone. So although he quoted 4k that is only what he can visually see. Once you get into the vehicle and actually tear it down is where you start noticing things adding up quickly.

 

[Beaumont67]

Yeah so I had a friend of mine who works at a body shop go check out the 4Runner at the collision center it's currently sitting at. After crawling over, under and through it he said max is 4k for repair. But at this point I would rather fight for a larger buyout number and put the cash down on a new or newish 4Runner.

Progressive is offering $7,200 and they are claiming over $8,500 in repair cost.

I have done my own research and quickly found 5 comps on Autotrader between 14k-17k list price with 4WD and Sport.
I have 5 actual comps that are 4WD and Sport Edition listed between 16k-14k.

Sorry to hear Trik444, Progressive is incorrectly using 2WD comps...pretty much a useless exercise.

First mistake, your T4R is probably on the clock for $85/day storage - until matter is settled.
- should have been towed into your driveway...bargaining chip
#2 - don't be quick to turn over ownership, if you still have it
#3 - prove your comps / tell Progressive you want $15,000
#4 - tell Progressive your buying back the Limited , at estimated auction price (could be like $2,500)
#5 - insist vehicle accident/ownership is not branded or CarFax reported
#6 - pay the storage fees & take Limited to body shop friend
#7 - pocket several thousand dollars profit

^^ My brother did these steps, with a mint & totaled 2000 Jeep Wrangler.
- and had to fight for fair market value, as his TJ was imported rust free out of USA...did his own comps
- he ended up with an $6,500 easy profit & didn't even turn a wrench / just sourced all parts
He got $11,000 cash, and pd. $1,500 auction est. and $500 cash storage & tow.
He had a licence auto body friend straighten the frame & rebuild front with new parts & repaint.
- got perfect door gaps, and front end alignment went easy-peesy
A year later he hit a white tail deer...profited another $1,500 on that 2nd claim / so turn a negative into an opportunity !!

 

[Bodie the Dog]

Usaa

fun fact: USAA is one of the best insurance agencies out there.

I generally agree with you about USAA. Except for the time an uninsured drunk illegal alien (not the kind from space) hit my wife head-on, a month after we paid it off, when she was 8 months pregnant. Talk about a perfect storm. USAA totaled it out, and it was still driveable, no fluids leaking, no funny noises wtf?

I hate insurance. It has never benefited me.

 

[A.Wilson013]

CCC One is just body shop repair estimate software. You can actually physically input anything into MVR just fyi. As the last part of your comment shows it really comes down to the appraiser and effort put in.

To the OP I would put their feet to the fire and get reasonable even more comparable vehicles for the valuation of your vehicle.

sincerely,
Former Body Shop manager


fun fact: USAA is one of the best insurance agencies out there when it comes to handling auto accidents and the process is extremely slick and stream lined. One of the many things I learned in the industry and made me realize how crappy my initial insurance company was.


EDIT: also take into account your buddies estimate is just that. They are never 100% accurate and locked in stone. So although he quoted 4k that is only what he can visually see. Once you get into the vehicle and actually tear it down is where you start noticing things adding up quickly.

I didn't know that about CCC. Thanks =)

We've been very happy with USAA. Been with them for about 9.5 years now.

Also, spot on with the estimate. My wife's new car is in the body shop right now (I know, I know) and the original estimate was $3800. After I dropped it off they took everything apart and within a couple hours sent me a "supplement" of another $2000.

Again, USAA is handling it like champs.

 

[wadle5]

I generally agree with you about USAA. Except for the time an uninsured drunk illegal alien (not the kind from space) hit my wife head-on, a month after we paid it off, when she was 8 months pregnant. Talk about a perfect storm. USAA totaled it out, and it was still driveable, no fluids leaking, no funny noises wtf?

I hate insurance. It has never benefited me.

I mean I would say it benefited you in that they took care of you. Even if no fluids are leaking or funny noises or "drive able". Depending but usually with a head on collision I would assume with a drunk speeding the structurally rigidity is what totaled the car. While it may appear fine/normal if it were to get into another accident is where having severe structural damage or frame damage would be detrimental to the occupants. At that point frame repair can get very expensive which is why they most likely totaled it.

 

[Sean K.]

I didn't know that about CCC. Thanks =)

We've been very happy with USAA. Been with them for about 9.5 years now.

Also, spot on with the estimate. My wife's new car is in the body shop right now (I know, I know) and the original estimate was $3800. After I dropped it off they took everything apart and within a couple hours sent me a "supplement" of another $2000.

Again, USAA is handling it like champs.

USAA is cheap....not necessarily good. They dropped my '91 Toyota b/c it wasn't for "driving to work or school".

F***Kers

 

[Sean K.]

The alleged "purpose" of insurance is to make you whole after an "accident".

Don't let the other guy's insurance company just tell you what the car is worth. You may have to find comps, argue it out, provide receipts, hire an attorney, etc.....but you shouldn't let them just rape you either....

Best of luck...

 

[ScottD]

I hate dealing with insurance companies. There is an easy solution, talk to an attorney. Let the attorney deal with the insurance company - for some reason they will start acting right real quickly.

I am not saying fake an injury or anything fraudulent, but most attorneys will do a free consultation and let you know whats up. It only takes a phone call to find out.