Need Advice! 22 Years, 320k Miles, 5 Owners, and Zero Accidents... Til Now

Every time someone has hit me I always ask the claims adjuster to write the quote with "new OEM parts", have never had a problem.

 

I had a similar situation happen to me a few years ago in a car I drove to/from work. I was rear ended in traffic and called my insurance (USAA) on the scene. They told me to get the guilty party's insurance and call them back when I felt better. The next day I called them and gave them the insurance of the lady that hit me. They then told me to go to my shop and not to worry they would get their money back from her insurance. And for me to go to the dr and send the receipt to my insurance so they could send it to hers.
Point of all this is, you work with your insurance and they work with the persons insurance that hit you to get the money.

 

Toyota is usually really fair with price matching used and aftermarket parts. I would try to see if the shop you go through can get their supplier to price match the bumper. then you get an oem for the same or near the same cost as a used one. but the year of the truck might be an issue

 

Yup. The other party's insurance will always try to contact you, and not your insurance company. They wait for you to say just one thing that might put some fault or liability onto you. If the other person's insurance company calls you, just say "Please contact my insurance company/agent." Then, call yours to tell them that they're contacting you. Part of what you pay for is for the insurance company to handle the situation. They are your representative.

 

Agree with most...first start is have a trusted place assess the total damage. Problem is that they will have a hard time finding a used oem bumper for a 1995. I think 1995-2004 bumpers are interchangeable so that increases the odds of finding one but you will most likely end up with aftermarket. Brand new oem is about $550-600.

 

As others have said above. Hopefully you have already contacted and filed a claim with your insurance?
I would let them handle all of it, just tell them what shop you want to go to and that you'll have the shop bill them. If Progressive calls you, just refer them to your agent and don't say anything. They will try to use it against you, especially the medical stuff.

 

Or buy this oem one for cheap...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-REAR-STEP-BUMPER-OEM-TOYOTA-TACOMA-WITH-HARDWARE-95-04-OEM-small-ding-/282540083430?fits=Year:1995|Model:Tacoma&hash=item41c8b388e6:g:XgAAAOSwlndZGcdC&vxp=mtr

 

It's a little late for that now I guess. If I disagree with the compensation OR if they try saying their client isn't at fault then I will certainly reach out to my company and have them argue for me (or get a lawyer/attorney involved in the latter case.) I'm pretty good with the details and wording and what not and have stayed consistent, at least lol.

 

Claim has now been filed with all three insurance companies lol.

 

rule #1 if you get hit, it's not your fault. you should never deal with the other person's insurance directly.

they hit you, they are at fault. grab their info, call your insurance, have your insurance go after them. if you agree to anything then the other insurance can lessen the "reward" so-to-speak.

 

Take the cash option for the parts and labor. Then buy the aftermarket one on Amazon, swap the step pads and no one will ever know the difference. Yes the Toyota marked step pads clipped on perfectly fine with no modifications on my OE style aftermarket bumper.

I hate aftermarket parts, but the OEM bumper is kind of crappy and had a tendency to rot out in northern climates

 

Definitely planned on taking the cash option either way assuming frame isn't bad. I'm a DIY'er and have far more complicated stuff lol

It pays to learn how to do things on your own

 

A) Glad you're okay (for the most part)
B) Take the insurance money
C) Get your frame checked
D) Buy this: https://www.relentlessfabrication.c...products/1995-5-1004-tacoma-rear-plate-bumper

 

Honestly that's the plan. I'm trying to keep that on the DL as far as social media goes til claims are settled. I really like the idea of the bumper you posted, I had actually been eyeballing it. However I've heard mixed reviews about Relentless so I'm considering that.

Pelfreybilt has a rear bumper in the works that should hopefully be ready for purchase in the coming months, but then there will obviously be a longer wait time. So I'm debating lol

 

mums the word

 

Get three estimates from shops. Request estimate with OEM parts. Get check from insurance company. Then buy aftermarket parts and install yourself. I made $2K this way...

You can buy a great bumper here. Its as close to OEM as possible. Have it on my ride: https://www.amazon.com/TKY-TY40342C-Toyota-Replacement-Complete/dp/B002MYG8L2

 

Dude, just have USAA handle it. Stop wasting your time with another party's insurance. They waive your deductible in no-fault accidents where the other party is known and has insurance. A rear ending accident like this is cake for the adjuster at USAA, especially with your pictures. USAA is just going to bill the other insurer for it all.

 

Yup, this.

Every incident I've had like this I've only ever dealt with MY insurance company. A worst case scenario for me was when I had to pay my deductible, but later got a refund when my insurance squeezed it out of the other party's insurance, because it was determined the other party was at fault. Usually, a rear end collision is a no brainer, as almost always the party with front end damage is at fault.

You should never be dealing with the other party's insurance. That's what your insurance is for - to deal with them so you don't have to. Even if yo have the same insurance, you should never be getting contacted by the other party's representative. Not cool!

 

Yes ive rode around in there with my lil brother i law, never with the group though, not far for me.