Looks like it’s totaled

I haven’t taken it anywhere yet… I’m going to a local guy that does it on the side first for an estimate.

then I’m going to make an appointment at a Toyota dealership that has a collision center for an estimate.

honestly, at this point I just want them to total it and buy it back

 

Airbags did not deploy.

Will a dealership put aftermarket parts on if I pay the difference? I’ve never taken an vehicle to a seals grip before

 

Yes.. I'd be strongly considering taking the $ and getting the Norweld ($$$$) or a custom flatbed.

I was going to mention an offroad shop in Asheville since your sig says Mars Hill.. but guessing you've moved to Tx.

 

Sorry, I meant something happen to your Firestone airbags?

As far as 3rd party replacement shops, yes, they typically work with you on installing equivalent aftermarket replacement parts if you pay the difference.

Another thing to keep in mind is the paint color on the bed. In a perfect world, you'd get a complete bed replacement with paint from Toyota. A 3rd party body shop may salvage parts from your bed, by new panels, have them paint matched, but the color never matches exactly. Oh well. Throw a good coat of mud on it and you should be fine

 

JMHO, You would be much better off if it were totaled and the heck with buying it back go out and get you a good truck and start cover.

 

Here’s the issue… they won’t pay me directly.. they said it has to be paid to the third party. It makes no sense to me.

 

Emails

 

Once your truck is settled, leave that insurance office.. that doesn't make sense. Find other insurance that will make you happy.

 

My response

 

find a good shop. a long time ago, was rear ended and the shop got some prices for a few things and didn't pay much more then my deductible, due to things not being "available"

 

So they said the shop has to be paid directly. So I have requested that I do the work myself and the check being paid directly to me. I’ve never heard of anyone saying they couldn’t receive the check. I thought I read there was a large majority of people who never get the repairs done for cosmetic defects and just take the money.

 

I've been issued checked plenty of times. what if the check was issued to your insurance company and they cut you a check?

 

I don’t go through my insurance. I went through the at fault parties insurance.

 

ah got ya, in my state my insurance takes care of my stuff up front, and they then bill the liable party.

so individual insurance pays for self up front, and they once a liable party is found to be at fault they are billed completely.

 

I don't think they like to pay out unless the truck has been fixed properly. If they give you the money then you may do a quick fix for less, but technically, that truck should then be running around with a salvage title it wasn't fixed right (certified body shop).

TDI has some tips, but nothing about payout.

Sounds like they're keeping it open to confirm all the damages during repair, that way they don't open a can of worms with no return. Their estimate probably has "stipulations".

 

simple, they don't trust your to just pocket the money and not fix the truck

 

Right? But, I feel like that should be my option no?

I probably should have went through my own insurance.

 

Can you still go through your own insurance?

 

I believe.. once a case is opened up with that at fault party. You can’t switch back

 

I'd call your own insurance asap. See what they say.