Wrecked 4x4 DCLB - Help for with insurance claim

I was rear ended while sitting at red light by a drunk driver. He didn’t even hit the brakes. Thankfully everyone walked away okay, but the same can not be said about my truck. Besides the damage in the rear, there are a few buckles in the frame, along with broken head lights, grill and front bumper from hitting the car in front of me.







The insurance process is just starting, so I am wanting to do my homework on values. Here is some key information about my truck:

2009 4x4 DCLB - SR5
Sport trim (color matched bumpers & grill, 17” sport wheels, hood scoop)
193,000 miles
Brand new FOX TRD 3rd gen shocks/AAL
Brand new Toyo AT3’s
(There are other tasteful mods, but none the insurance companies would look at)


The truck is extremely clean and meticulously maintained. I searched a long time to find it.

My questions for TW are:

-what would you value my truck at?
-how hard to find replacement in today’s crazy used car market?
-do you think it’s totaled?
-if it’s not totaled, would you want to own a truck with this much repaired damage?

Thank you for your time.

please don’t drink and drive.

 

Frame damage so it's totaled. I would buy it back cheap and fix it versus trying to buy another vehicle in this crazy market.

 

Ditto

 

Interesting. You really think that is an economical option considering the cost of repairs, just to be left with a salvaged title?

First things first, I want to maximize the payout cost on the vehicle. So I am thinking it’s worth at least 15,000 plus the cost of fox shocks and new tires.

 

Enjoy your new truck!

 

I was thinking a little more than 15k myself. Closer to 20k. Agree also not wanting a salvage title but if you get enough $$ for a replacement and cheap enough to purchase the vehicle back then maybe with it for parts.
Sorry for your loss, was a nice truck.

 

Unfortunately, what you think it's worth will not be what the insurance adjuster think the value is. (Upgrades will not add to the value).
Personally, if I intend on keeping a vehicle long term and it's repaired properly, I have zero concerns on it being a salvaged title. I have owned several vehicles in the past with salvaged titles and never had an issue owning, insuring or selling them in TX. The truck looks to just need frame straightening and a rear bumper, not a big deal if you can buy it back for a couple of grand especially with no body damage and being 4WD.

 

Understood on the book value vs my value.

I do not agree on the upgrades not adding value, I 100% expect to present receipts and be reimbursed. It’s happened before.
Truck needs new bed, tailgate, taillights, headlights, front and rear bumpers, grill and then what ever sub frame support items are crunched. All in addition the the frame.

might buy it back and make it a hunting truck, but as far as returning it to existing condition before, it would take a lot.

 

Since the prices trucks are currently selling for seems to be higher than book values on trucks it might be worth it to find trucks similar to yours selling at dealerships and show the insurance adjuster. Haggle till the grave with him, you might get more of a payout

 

That’s my main point in starting this thread, the cost the replace the truck is going to be likely more than the book value. I appreciate everyone’s opinions so far, it is a big help.

all pretty frustrating, I was planning to drive this thing for a long while.


New Tundra is lookin pretty good right now

 

I think it’s totaled. I’d find 3 trucks of the same year of similiar mileage and condition (at a dealer). Average the 3 prices out and ask for that. Screenshot their asking price and information and use that for the insurance payout process.

however I’d let them make an offer first just incase their initial offer is higher.

just my 2 cents.

goodluck op.

 

What you get will likely depend on how good your insurance company is and how much they're willing to work with you. No point in buying it back, IMO. And don't expect a red cent for any of your mods like the suspension or the fact that it has new tires. Unless you have a special, enthusiast policy where you get to add those things to your coverage then the company won't care about that stuff.

Most likely they'll cut you a check based on their research, or worse yet, based on KBB values. You don't have to accept that amount, but getting more isn't an instant or easy process.

I have AAA and totaled my CR-Z a little over a year ago. They sent me a check for what they valued it at. It was, however, clear that with the current market I wouldn't be able to buy a like-for-like replacement with what they gave me. Like you, my car was in extremely good condition, top 5% of what's out there I'd say. I spent a month looking for replacements and documented the vehicles I was finding that were like-for-like with my original car. And of course all were more expensive than what they gave me. They make you wait a little while but after showing plenty of legitimate comps and working with my adjuster they ended up cutting me a second check for a couple grand extra.

Around here, your truck is probably worth $15-17k depending on options (private party values). If it was a Sport package it'd be a little more. If it were 2012+ it'd be a LOT more. It's crazy to me how much of a spike there is between 2011 and 2012.

 

What I am considering now, is probably replacing the fox shocks prior to adjuster coming out. They’ve got 2,000 miles on them lol. Would hate to see them go to waste.
Unfortunately not much I could do on the tires.

 

If you've got the truck in your possession then that's definitely the right way to go about it. That said, the adjuster probably won't be documenting anything like that anyway so you could probably wait until after the adjuster and just before you release the truck to them to have hauled to the salvage yard. I'd pull everything you can - suspension, your tool box, any interior mods or even just little stuff like the bed cleats or small items you can sell or reuse if you buy another Tacoma.

 

Good advice above... also I'd check OfferUp or Craigslist for someone selling used tires and rims and swap them out.

 

I know the situation is bad, but things should never be so dire that you think a Tundra looks good

 

I'd definitely swap out those tire if you have access to the vehicle. Any tire shop will have a ton of tires that are in too bad of condition to resell out back, put four of those on.

Grab that rear passenger door too while your at it. I have one we can replace it with.

 

FWIW. The truck is expected to have tires and shocks on it. Your "upgrades" mean nothing to the insurance. Be prepared.....you may only receive "fair market value" as payout.

Your insurance should be working on your behalf to make the claim on the DUI driver's insurance.

Good Luck.

Long time ago, I had an '04 GMC Sierra 2500HD. I was rear ended. The hit was hard enough to cause a 5 car pile up. I was number 4. Short story, car #5 (the cause) did not have insurance. My truck sustained $10,000+ in damage. All was repaired/replaced. I drove the truck until 2014.

I worked with the insurance and the other 3 drivers to locate driver #5. Warrants were issued for his arrest. He was arrested, court and garnished income. It was a bit satisfying to see my insurance work on my behalf and push the responsibility onto the correct person. Driver #5 had to deal with 4 insurance companies wanting restitution. No, I don't feel sorry for #5.

 

Sad to see a nice truck wrecked. Unfortunately it looks totaled. Personally I wouldn’t buy it back with the frame damage. Unless you have access to a frame machine. We have people come to our shop all the time after there vehicle is totaled by insurance and literally pull every part off they added.

 

I think the plan is to definitely pull the fox shocks, I have tracked down some old SR5 shocks.

I have pulled weathertechs, toolbox, bed cleats, and a few other add ons of mine.
Tires might just go with the truck unless I can figure something out next week.


I have not involved my insurance company, but rather I have a claim with the at fault insurance.