Rear ended on freeway - thoughts or advice?

[WKTJR1]

I think parts availability could be an issue. Early in the Tacoma run, windshields and other parts were hard to get. While those aren't a problem now, any parts that are unique to the 4Runner might be.

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[4RunnerTony]

Most insurance companies will repair a vehicle and only total it if the repair costs exceed more than 80% of the value of the vehicle.

 

[RobCMass]

Most insurance companies will repair a vehicle and only total it if the repair costs exceed more than 80% of the value of the vehicle.

Yeah I am aware of that and I am not expecting them to total this. I’m just waiting to hear the extent of the damage and then see what it looks like and how it drives once repairs are done before I make a decision to either keep it or eat the loss and trade it in

 

[6thGen1419]

Yeah I am aware of that and I am not expecting them to total this. I’m just waiting to hear the extent of the damage and then see what it looks like and how it drives once repairs are done before I make a decision to either keep it or eat the loss and trade it in

My opinion.

The accident was not your fault. You were rear ended. You should not have to eat any loss at all. You can fight the insurance companies, especially when you're not at fault. That accident and repair will be on the records for that vehicle. If you can't fight the insurance company to get that vehicle totaled (totaling simply means that the insurance company purchases your damaged vehicle using the value before it was damaged), then make them compensate you for the loss in value due to the accident being on the vehicle's records.

 

[DangItsDen]

Unfortunately parts are going to be an issue here. My neighbor has the same exact truck as you, and was rear ended 2 months ago (2 weeks after taking delivery of his truck) and its STILL waiting at the body shop waiting for toyota replacement parts. Every time he asks for status they extend the date 2 weeks. I would be livid.

 

[RobCMass]

Unfortunately parts are going to be an issue here. My neighbor has the same exact truck as you, and was rear ended 2 months ago (2 weeks after taking delivery of his truck) and its STILL waiting at the body shop waiting for toyota replacement parts. Every time he asks for status they extend the date 2 weeks. I would be livid.

I was already prepared for that as I work for a Hyundai dealer in the Parts dept. obviously I’m not happy about it but it is what it is.

 

[Dr_Al]

There's no way they total it. The damage is just not that bad. I would talk to a lawyer about diminished value though. It's usually 10% to 15% hit when you come to sell it. Anything a dealer can do to pay you less they will do. If a deal will pay less than private sales are going to be the same. If your planning on keeping it for a very long time then it's not going to matter. In fact it could help you. Most insurers offer a lifetime warranty on repair work. So if the paint fades differently or it rusts then you get it repaired. Rarely is that transferred to the new owner.

 

[djw4run]

Also, you may find that the insurance company will want to repair your vehicle with aftermarket parts. It used to be you could try and fight that and demand oem but in recent years they have become very stubborn in that area. Our old company State Farm would not pay for oem parts and would only use them if aftermarket ones were not available. We moved away from them and now have a new company. We pay a small extra fee for "oem parts coverage" on all three of our vehicles. Before switching companies I asked if State Farm offered that option and the answer was "no" so we switched and are saving ourselves a substantial amount in car and home insurance premiums. It won't be your insurance paying for this as it was totally the other driver's fault so perhaps you will have some leverage there.

 

[AdFour]

If another driver is at fault, all states except Michigan allow for compensation of diminished value.

Here a guide to calculate the dismissed value you should try to get back. If you keep it

https://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/diminished-value-claim.aspx

 

[Moby]

As the title states I was rear ended coming off the freeway where this damn Dodge Ram claims he never saw me. Not sure this is enough to total it but obviously I am devastated as it didn’t even have 9000 miles on it yet. I’m being told this biggest repair is going to be the Quarter panel that got crunched. Trying to decide if I’m going to keep it after repairs or get rid of it if it doesn’t end up being totaled. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

I’m definitely filing a diminished value claim and the body shop is telling me it’s going to be on the CARFAX as a major repair. Also for anyone wondering I am fine, no injuries luckily so at least there’s that.

Sell it. Not worth it anymore in the long run. No guarantees

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

If another driver is at fault, all states except Michigan allow for compensation of diminished value.

Here a guide to calculate the dismissed value you should try to get back. If you keep it

https://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/diminished-value-claim.aspx

Thanks for posting this link. I was unaware.

 

[RobCMass]

UPDATE:

Just got a call from the body shop and he told me it looks nasty underneath and has frame damage. Still waiting on the adjuster to come and see it to determine if its going to be deemed a total loss or if they are going to do a frame replacement. I am hoping they just total it at this point as I am sure a new frame is going to take a long time to get and replace.

 

[6thGen1419]

UPDATE:

Just got a call from the body shop and he told me it looks nasty underneath and has frame damage. Still waiting on the adjuster to come and see it to determine if its going to be deemed a total loss or if they are going to do a frame replacement. I am hoping they just total it at this point as I am sure a new frame is going to take a long time to get and replace.

I suspected that when I first saw your pics. My truck was rear ended last month and the frame was actually bent. With this new frame info, my opinion is get it totaled and compensated for the replacement value.

 

[RobCMass]

Body Shop just sent me this photo of the frame damage. Pushing to hopefully get this totaled

 

[Joe Dirt]

After reading this post, I'm guessing they will just chop it from a Tacoma frame. Probably just weld that whole trailer hitch section and put it back together. Glad to hear you have a diminished value in your state. My insurance company does not support a diminished value here in California but most likely it's just my insurance.
Also, probably the 4Runner is too new for aftermarket parts like body and hatch.
When I was rear-ended I had a 23 Subaru and everything they put on it was Factory fresh, except the hack job they did on the rear section frame. Took a massive 25% hit on the value of the car. No dealer will give you anything of value because of that moderate type damage. They look for those kind of things to steal the car from you, then they will wholesale it out for a profit. Used cars are the biggest profit margin in the whole car industry.

Sorry to be a dark cloud . This will pass .
Just my two cents good luck

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