2005 Tacoma Frame Rust/Won't fix

Question for those more familiar with the frame rust issues in tacomas. I have a 2005 4X4 Crewcab Tacoma with a long bed and ~80k miles on it. A couple weeks ago it was hit in the parking lot. The insurance company for the person who hit it (which happens to be the same company as my insurance) and the repair shop are claiming that in addition to replacing the bumper and left rear panel, the frame is bent. They say because the frame is so rusted, they can't fix the frame or anything else, so they want to give me the money and not fix it (will amount to 3-4k from what I have heard so far).

So here I have this tacoma with low miles and in excellent shape, with a KBB value close to 20k, and they want to give me 3-4k and a bent up car (still driveable technically, but the frame is bent). Is there anything I can do through toyota or anything else I can argue with the insurance company or am I just royally screwed?

Here are some pics of it:

 

Pics didn't work, here are the direct links

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BymQeD5XXC0gMWV3VEdyVmR4TjA/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BymQeD5XXC0gSzhuNE9pZG9uSGc/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BymQeD5XXC0gZVNGc1pyQlotMXc/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BymQeD5XXC0gaDNsQmNpejRVRkU/edit?usp=sharing

 

I would get a lawyer first thing. Second thing, let the lawyer deal with them. Third, drop your insurance co.

 

It wasn't a Volvo that hit ya was it?
DAMM VOLVOS!!!

 

^ Yep, don't back down until your truck is replaced in full, did you initiate the claim? If not, you should initiate a claim as well, even though both drives have the same ins.

 

Never thought I would say this, but "I agree with Beavis". No offense to Beavis0076.

Insurance needs to make you whole. If they fail to fix the vehicle then they can be found liable if the vehicles condition causes an accident. This is a significant expense. Anyone calculating risk mitigation for the insurance company will red flag instantly making you whole. Go to local dealers finding similar to what you had same year and mileage collecting quotes for replacement. $4k will not repair the body damage you have. They are looking to screw you no doubt. Refuse the offer. Ask to speak with their supervisor or start calling board of directors.

No harm in mentioning the insurance company in this thread or others. As long as you present facts without emotion you are safe.

 

Yup make them repair it or replace it ... IE: total it out....

 

Insurance needs to recoup you with the value of the truck. I hate to be the bad guy in this thread, but if the frame is rotted/done, it is worth just about scrap weight. Your battle here is not with your insurance company, it's with Toyota. In my mind anyway and what the hell do I know. You need a lawyer. Which means you are screwed in general. You will have no insurance money, a pile of lawyer bills and probably no resolution for years.

I do however agree that they are looking to screw you on the body work, which would raise the eyebrows for me in general. That 3rd pic you have, of the rear quarter panel damage? I had just about the same thing a few months ago, almost exactly, when I jack-knifed my snowmobile trailer very slightly. It was a $3300.00 repair.

 

What is your coverage and the other person's coverage?

 

I don't envy your position ... insurance will only be responsible for the actual value of the truck as it sits. If the frame is rusted out, that's not the insurance company's problem, in reality its Toyota's fault but not their problem. Toyota is not your insurance company and have nothing to do with the accident, therefore you have two separate entities who will each limit their liability. I think all you can do is threaten a lawsuit which may be a waste of time and money in the end, no one makes out but the Lawyer. I SURE HOPE I'm wrong, but it doesn't look good in my mind. As someone mentioned, find a comparable then I would try to force them to replace the truck while threatening a Lawsuit. Having the same Insurance Company may play in your favor in this case but the lawsuit would probably have to be personally against the one who caused the accident.

Man, it's a shame, the pictures don't look too bad.

 

Has the OP mentioned what ins. co. he has yet?

 

The insurance company is USAA, which normally has been nothing but great to me in the past. It is an odd situation.

What happened was I found the truck like this on a saturday morning around 10:30am (neighbors said they heard a loud bang around 11pm the night before and didn't go outside to see what it was, awesome guys). So at first it was a hit and run, but then the lady that hit it came back a couple hours after I had filed a police report and apologized and gave me her insurance. So I filed the claim at first through my insurance (USAA) and then notified them of her policy information and they switched it over to her. The car next to me got hit to but his damage is limited to the fender as I understand.

I have argued similar concepts of whole restitution several times with the adjuster to no avail yet. The original quote (before they knew there was frame damage) was like $3300, and now they are essentially saying they are going to add on what it would cost to fix the frame if it was able to be fixed (ie not so rusted). Still waiting on what they are going to try to pay out, but they keep claiming there was "prior damage" and they aren't responsible for that. Its frustrating because I had a wonderfully working truck(though unaware of the rust frame issues of tacomas until now) and now I have this. It does seem like Toyota should be responsible for something as the truck is less than 10 years old and the frame is in this bad of shape, so I will try to go that route if I have to.

I don't know how much the repair shop has experience with rust as they don't see a ton (we are in Texas and have been for the last 4 years, before that the truck was in Utah where it was bought and I had it there for 3 years before moving to Texas.) But they just keep claiming they can't fix anything due to the "prior frame damage".

To top this off it all happened 1 month before we are moving several states over. I will post more pics and details about the damage once I get back into town on Wednesday or Thursday as I am arranging housing in the state we are moving to currently.

 

Someone was asking about my coverage, was there a specific part you wanted to know?

I have collision and comprehensive with $500 deductible as well as $50,000 in coverage for underinsured drivers, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, 100k/300k personal injury liability, 50k property dmg liability, a few others that do necessarily seem relevant in this case.

 

That sucks. If it were me, I would fix it myself. Pull the bed off, straighten everything out, clean up the rusted areas and gusset them with some fresh metal. Get fiberglass bedsides, new suspension, new aftermarket bumpers and have a fantastic wheelin' rig. I know it's too late, but you should invest in a creeper and roll underneath any vehicle you own a couple times a year and inspect it. Pour used motor oil on a rag and wipe down the frame once a year, and it won't rust (at least outside of the salt belt). If you're moving, rent a uhaul car hauler and take it with you and fix it when you get there.

 

Can you take a long tacoma on a car hauler? I am moving with penske and every car trailer/hauler I checked out with different moving companies said that they weren't compatible with my truck (maybe its too long as it is a 4 door with a 6 foot long bed?)

Unfortunately I have neither the time nor experience to do the work myself. I just graduated medical school and am starting my residency.

 

Not sure about the trailer thing OP, but I would absolutely go to the dealer and have them inspect the frame regarding the rust. I know there was a thread on here, and I think it may have been an 05 that was getting the frame replaced due to being rusted through in spots. If dealer says no, then contact Toyota corporate and start a claim. It may be a long drawn out thing, but maybe you can get it fixed. Good luck!

 

Might need to work with both Toyota and USAA. First would be Toyota with a claim the reason the frame bent was due to rust. Might need to press hard and escalate quickly, ie have corporate # in your phone. I nearly got all Toyota vehicles pulled from a dealership due to rebadging for higher trim levels 10+ years ago. Never seen such a quick resolution to an issue before. Next is not settling with insurance. Let USAA know they can contact the dealer for body work in process.

Granted a truck with a rusted frame is worth parts / scrap. If you visit any dealership looking under a similar truck I'm sure you can find and document rust. Price on the window will still be around $20K.

You do have a valid claim here and should be made whole. It might not be a straight path forward but one that should be addressed.

 

no one asked this yet so I will.

Are you the original owner? If so were you ever contacted by Toyota for any TSB (technical service bulletins) about any repair work? If you are not the original owner when did you acquire the truck (year/mileage)?

 

Mine fit with room to spare (length wise) on a standard uhaul car hauler. Find the dimensions of a Penske car hauler and make sure it will physically fit. I also told uhaul I was towing a honda at check out. They don't want you towing anything that heavy on it I think. I'm sure it is a bad idea to not listen to them, but, like you, my truck was broke and I had to move.

Fyi, it's more difficult to treat patients than it is to repair your truck. You can do it. If you don't have time find an offroad shop near where you are moving. A redneck and a welder could have that thing on the road in one day.