Wrecked 4runner

[Addo261]

I was in mexico and wrecked the 4runner I was not aware insurance did not cover me outside the US, so theyre completely denying the claim. Fortunately the damage is limited to the pics. However, damages are going to be costly.
It starts and runs fine, power steering is out, it leaked all the PS fluid. Im not sure if it was just a hose coming undone or something more. No other fluids leaking.
All airbags deployed
So just taking care of the airbags will run about $7500 according to toyota. Is this reasonable? Can you get away replacing just front and passanger airbags?
I havent taken it to a shop to get estimate on the damage but if anyone here is knowledgeable about this what do you all reckon the outside damage will run me?
I own the truck outright so im debating whether i should just sell as is. How much would would a 4 runner in current condition be worth? 2015 trail premium 37k miles.
Thanks for any advice

 

[karmatp]

I had no idea insurance did not cover out of us, that is ridiculous.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Man. Glad you're okay. Tough seeing a young 4Runner in that shape. I wonder if the coverage issue is the same going into Canada?

 

[V8Man]

It Can Be Done, Just Time & Money

[MENTION=146192]Addo261[/MENTION]
Howdy fellow Okie! It’s going to cost you. I have rebuilt two 4th Gens. #3 required no painting or air bags, but I had to replace the front of the frame and the bumper. Parts didn’t cost me anything because I had the parts. #4 required repainting the hood, one fender, and the bumper, including a frame repair and air bags, and radiator support. I did all the work myself and had most of the parts, but the paint was expensive.
Looks Like you will need at least the inner fender, fender, hood, all the bumper pieces, including the air bags. Probably ac lines, power steering lines or pump. Unless you do the work yourself it will cost you a lot. The air bag module will need to be reset, myairbags.com. Get the parts from salvage not OEM to save more. But you need to make sure the frame isn't damaged.
Follow copart and IAAI auctions for similar vehicles. They have sites in OK and TX so you can get market values.
#3 Before, During, & After

#4 Before, During, & After

 

[OKT4RCpl]

Dang this hurts to look at. I also have a silver 4Runner and was upset hitting a deer that cracked my bumper. Cant imagine how you feel. I googled insurance coverage and found out most insurance companies do not cover travel to Canada or Mexico and you have to buy extra coverage, I had no idea. Glad to know your alright and back home safely.

 

[Addo261]

[MENTION=146192]Addo261[/MENTION]
Howdy fellow Okie! It’s going to cost you. I have rebuilt two 4th Gens. #3 required no painting or air bags, but I had to replace the front of the frame and the bumper. Parts didn’t cost me anything because I had the parts. #4 required repainting the hood, one fender, and the bumper, including a frame repair and air bags, and radiator support. I did all the work myself and had most of the parts, but the paint was expensive.

Thanks for the replies

V8man, thanks for the pics, kinda encouraging. Im pretty mechanically inclined but have limited tools. I will take it apart this weekend and really see whats going on. Getting the side fender, bumper, hood those are all easy things to find, but what do you do about the front frame stuff. The metal frame that the radiator bolts on is damaged as well as the one that is in front. Were you able to repair these on yours or did you find them somewhere?

 

[SWK71]

Ugh that sucks. Thanks for letting us know about the insurance. Not sure if I will ever take it outside of the US but it is good to know to get extra coverage.

 

[Ridin4Runner]

I was in mexico and wrecked the 4runner I was not aware insurance did not cover me outside the US, so theyre completely denying the claim. Fortunately the damage is limited to the pics. However, damages are going to be costly.
It starts and runs fine, power steering is out, it leaked all the PS fluid. Im not sure if it was just a hose coming undone or something more. No other fluids leaking.
All airbags deployed
So just taking care of the airbags will run about $7500 according to toyota. Is this reasonable? Can you get away replacing just front and passanger airbags?
I havent taken it to a shop to get estimate on the damage but if anyone here is knowledgeable about this what do you all reckon the outside damage will run me?
I own the truck outright so im debating whether i should just sell as is. How much would would a 4 runner in current condition be worth? 2015 trail premium 37k miles.
Thanks for any advice

Okay, you need to at least tell us the story behind the damage!

I too was unaware about insurance in Mexico. Wonder if insurance company or policy dependent.

 

[Fern]

I would start calling around the salvage yards.
Living close to the border it is common knowledge, but I have never personally bought mex ins. All of my trips were years ago when I was young and dumb.
Details man, details.

 

[Rightside Up]

I would start calling around the salvage yards.
Living close to the border it is common knowledge, but I have never personally bought mex ins. All of my trips were years ago when I was young and dumb.
Details man, details.

I'm kind of surprised so many people don't know.
Sorry about your 4Runner OP.

 

[jordanrb81]

So your auto policy doesn't cover you in Mexico, mine does cover me in Canada.. maybe a New Hampshire thing? or it could be an insurance company thing I don't know, I was however aware that mine didn't cover me in Mexico or anywhere else for that matter. before you lose all hope a lot of credit cards offer automatic complimentary "travel insurance" for random crazy things like wrecking your car in Mexico... they are free because they almost never get called upon to pay. I know my Citi card and my Capital One card have such features. I haven't ever even tried to make a claim, but before you lose all hope you may want to look into it, could save your bacon. Also, what was the nature of the accident? single vehicle? were you at fault? was the other driver?

 

[MissouriBreaks]

Okay, you need to at least tell us the story behind the damage!

I too was unaware about insurance in Mexico. Wonder if insurance company or policy dependent.

I was very curious about this and googled auto insurance in Mexico and found the following:

Mexico does not recognize American insurance policies. If you get into an accident anywhere in Mexico, you will not be able to use your car insurance to cover the damages. As a result, Mexican authorities may arrest you, and impound your car until the matter can be settled.

 

[jordanrb81]

I was very curious about this and googled auto insurance in Mexico and found the following:

Mexico does not recognize American insurance policies. If you get into an accident anywhere in Mexico, you will not be able to use your car insurance to cover the damages. As a result, Mexican authorities may arrest you, and impound your car until the matter can be settled.

That's why I asked about the nature of the accident. I have heard stories of people being at fault in accidents having a really hard time in Mexico, usually they have been in rental cars rented in Mexico and taken the insurance waiver...but I could see them arresting you, or in some way not letting you leave until everything is settled up otherwise...no thank you

 

[Addo261]

Ok well since everyone wants to know the story behind i guess i have to then...

I actually didnt wreck it. I was in mexico and my mom who had taken sleeping pills went out to the store and took the truck by herself. It was late at night. Didnt come back for a while, we went looking for her and found she had smashed into a wall, a bank nonetheless. So the car did get impounded had to settle with the bank for the damage to the wall and was finally able to arrange transport back here. Like i said, the damage was just to the truck and the wall. Happy to say the 4runner has excellent all around airbags, the curtain airbags go all the way to the back. I think those will be the most expensive to replace.

I will look into the credit card complementary travel insurance, but im not holding my breath for that.

 

[mrblah]

Just wanted to add:

If you owe money on your car (i.e. financing) don't take it out of the US. Also, as the OP found out the hard way, most insurance plans don't cover losses outside of the USA unless you buy extra supplemental insurance.

I personally would never drive a new-er car in mexico with cali plates, you are asking for getting pulled over for a 25 dollar bribe. If what I told you still hasn't stopped you from driving into mexico, you can buy cheap-o mexican car insurance on the US side of the border in san ysidro before you cross over into mexico.

The thing I hate about mexico, is the bribes. If someone is asking you for 25 dollars (whether its a visa or a parking ticket, or moving violation), you are paying a bribe...lol.

 

[Addo261]

At least the 97 land cruiser still good ... looks like itll be getting a winch upgrade

I took it apart today. Frame is intact. Ac lines made it ok , just a bit bent here and there. Power steering metal hose got crushed and thats where all the PS fluid escaped. All in all not too bad, just need to get that inner fener and front assembly straighted out to get all the other pieces to go back together.

 

[Addo261]

Also its cel is on ita reading 2445, some air injection thing. Any idea how its related to the wreck?

 

[Addo261]

Back in business. Took a while because i had to find the best prices on all the parts myself and then the shop i took it to had a delay getting it done. $4000 in labor and about $6000 in parts including all airbags. Used myairbags.com to save some money on resetting the airbag module, got that suggestion here, thanks.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

So you had to pay all this out of pocket?

 

[Addo261]

So you had to pay all this out of pocket?

Yea unfortunately