Truck was hit... again...

So about a week ago I was in my local Safeway store getting groceries when I walked out to a crowd of people around my truck that was badly damaged by an older gentleman who by the accounts of witnesses and his own admission confused the brake pedal with the throttle. Luckily the older gentleman has insurance and they accepted fault.

The issue arises now that they use an independent appraisal service that has been very unprofessional. I was supposed to be contacted by the appraiser before he looked at my truck. I work nights and stayed up all day waiting for him to call or knock but it never happened. I only found out that he looked at my truck because he stuck some of his business cards on my window. I have made multiple phone calls to this company with messages left and still have not been contacted by the appraiser. Very unprofessional in my opinion. Next I get some papers in the mail from the appraiser with a quote about 2 grand less than what the body shop I it had appraised at quoted me. Funny thing is that this is the place the insurance company okayed me to get the truck fixed.

So after looking at the quote I realized any parts that were being replaced were aftermarket and not OE. Plus he missed items that were damaged that he could have known about just by taking the time to talk to me. After this I called the repair place that I trust and know does exceptional work. He looks over the adjusters list and calls bullshit. Being such a nice guy he makes calls to Toyota to try and price match to get all OE parts for my truck. After all that he comes to a price difference of approximately $130 out of my pocket to "upgrade" to OE parts. This of course is not right since the parts that were damaged were OE therefore OE parts WILL be going back on my truck, not cheaper aftermarket crap (the repair guy agrees with me). So with this in mind I call the insurance agency and tell them my scenario. The insurance agent assigned to my case says she has no control over this issue and that I must talk to the desk appraiser and that she can see my case is being reviewed by him and now would be a great time to call. So that’s what I do and what to my surprise he is short, has not looked at my case, and I “would be lucky” if he gets to my case today or tomorrow to review it.

So I know what the shop wants for prices is high and what the insurance wants is low so there is going to be some haggling between the two. From my perspective all I want to go away and quit bothering them is OE parts which works out to be approximately $130 extra for the insurance agency. Call me crazy but that’s what I feel is right. Anyway I have a feeling this may get bad and possibly go to small claims court. Just wanted to vent/share/get some input from TW. What do ya guys think?

 

Good god he hit you hard!!

Regarding your insurance company, I would absolutely make sure that you're Taco gets the damaged parts replaced with genuine Toyota parts. DO NOT settle and DO NOT give up until you get what you want. Be persistent, it's only right that the same quality parts go back on the truck, not cheap, aftermarket parts.

I had a similar issue with a small repair shop, they put a nice gouge in my brand new wheel when his torque wrench slipped (I watched the guy do it). Which he immediately blamed on my lug nut key being faulty (they broke that too). They wanted to just have the rim resprayed, but I insisted that they replace the wheel because it came into the shop with a new wheel and I wanted a new wheel from them. Needless to say, I got a new wheel from them although it took multiple calls and a few weeks.


Goodluck,

-Brian

 

damn,,looks like the Jeep won.

 

Holy shit, that other dude shouldn't even be driving after doing that!

If you were me, I'd spend a couple hundred on a lawyer to send a letter to the dude and his insurance making sure they know they'll be making things right to your satisfaction, right now. Don't forget the rental too.

 

Thanks! Yeah according to three different witnesses they said he absolutely nailed my truck, HARD. and just to be clear it is his insurance agency that is causing the issue. I didn't really make that clear. lol

 

Yeah that's the first thing I noticed lol

The police officer said that the man would no longer be allowed to drive until he tests again. Funny thing is after all was said and done he drove away. I called the police to let them know but not sure if they did anything

The rental is covered which is good. I was thinking the lawyer but I would probably end up paying more for that than just the $130 for OE parts. That being said if it does come down to it and I have to take them for court it will be for the price of OE parts + my time + court fees + the diminished value of now owning a truck that will be forever listed in any carfax report as having these repairs.

 

New Plate Bumpers FTW

 

You know, you could have a lawsuit, as that Jeep doesn't exactly look road legal.

 

good gawd that suck. I hope he loves his insurance rates LMAO

 

You deserve a new truck!

 

Why is the jeep not "road legal"

 

I was totally thinking that as well but it would cost me even more and at this point in my life I have almost zero disposable income (stupid saving for a down payment on a house)

 

+1

 

The good thing is that everyone was okay. That is a hard hit for a parking lot!
Just keep working with the insurance agency and you will get the OE parts paid for. Just a little azz pain before you get them to cough up the cash. I'm surprised they are really worried about 130 dollars.

 

The guy took out my truck and damaged three other cars with it! Very luck nobody was behind him that could have been pinned.

 

Yeah I think once the desk adjuster finally reviews my case he will make it right. Hopefully!

 

ahh bummer well maybe for a few more $$$ you can get color matched rear unless you like chrome lol, good luck getting the parts you deserve tho!

 

Tires look like they stick out too far and (depending on your states bumper laws) it may be too high off the ground.

 

I'm glad I'm Canadian. Getting insurance money is so simple... atleast in Manitoba.

 

Was going to until the other insurance company took full liability. Plus its a $500 deductible with my agency