Totaled Quicksand TRD-Off Road 4x4 with Tons of Mods

Sad News Fellas,

My 2017 TRD Off-Road 4x4 Tacoma with only 67,000 miles on her got hit by a sum beach in a Mercedes Benz.
Just got the call it is Totaled.

He bolted over the solid white line in a left turn only lane into the left side of my truck and smashed my rock slider and into the left rear wheel disconnecting the axle from the leaf springs on both sides twisting the rear differential from the drive shaft. Both leaf springs packs broke off and if it wasn’t for my Sumo Springs it would have not been able to slowly drive out of the intersection out of the way of traffic.

Had no clue what the hell happened felt like a grenade went off in the back left corner of the truck.

Looked in the left side mirror back and saw the front end of his Mercedes was destroyed and that momentum flung his front left corner into the back right corner of an Audi Q5 SUV. Totaled it too.

(See diagram and pics below)

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The top Toyota collision center here took a few weeks to triple check everything damaged and they deemed the truck a “Total Loss” even though they appraised the market value at $30,412.


Need some help from those who have experience with totaled Tacomas (or any trucks/jeeps with bolted on mods) if I can add those to the insurance claim for a bigger check and then, if I can unbolt them and save them for another 2023 I get in the near future. And/or sell for extra cash for a new truck someday.

Mods and approximate retail value:


Metal:

Body Armor Steel Winch Bumper $475

Body Armor Steel Rear Bumper $525

RRW Steel Rock Sliders


Sad News Fellas,


My Tacoma got hit by a sum beach in a Mercedes Benz. He bolted over the solid white line in a left turn only lane into the left side of my truck and smashed my rock slider and into the left rear wheel disconnecting the axle from the leaf springs on both sides twisting the rear differential from the drive shaft.

Had no clue what the hell happened felt like a grenade went off in the back left corner of the truck.

Looked back in the left side mirror and saw the front end of his Mercedes was destroyed and that momentum flung him into the back right corner of an Audi Q5 SUV. Totaled it too.

(See diagram and pics below)

-

The top Toyota collision center here took a few weeks to triple check everything damaged and they deemed the truck a “Total Loss” even though they appraised the market value at $30,412.


Need some help from those who have experience with totaled Tacomas (or any trucks/jeeps with bolted on mods) if I can add those to the insurance claim for a bigger check and then, if I can unbolt them and save them for another 2023 I get in the near future. And/or sell for extra cash for a new truck someday.

Any Help With What to Do Next with Insurance Is Much Appreciated

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Austin
(858) 437-3958

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Upgraded Modifications and approximate retail value:

Metal:

Diamondback Heavy Duty Aluminum Tonneau Cover $2,180
Ridge Runner Rooftop Tent Brackets $475
DV8 Aluminum Roof Rack System $1200 Body Armor Steel Winch Bumper $475
Body Armor Steel Rear Bumper $525
RRW Steel Rock Sliders with Kick-Out $800
Aluminum Skid Plate $175


Interior:

Clazzio Burgundy Leather Seat Covers Full Set $725
All Weather Floor Mats $175
Remote Start Kit $175


Exterior:

2019 Tail Light Upgrade $225

Pop and Lock Tailgate Lock $125

Vent Visor Set (4) $140

Side Marker Amber LED ($120)

Door Panel Color Matched Ding Protectors ($80)

LED Tailgate Strip ($75)


Suspension:
Sumo Springs Bump Stops $275


Wheels:
Wheel Spacers Front 1.25” $125
Wheel Spacers Rear 2.00” $140


Tires:
Rock Mountain All Terrain (4) $800


Performance:
K&N Cold Air Intake $575


Lighting:
All bulbs upgraded to LED $175
—————————————————

Any help with next steps for insurance is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

-
Austin
858-437-3958

 

From the pics I'd take the $30k, buy it back from the insurance company for pennies on the dollar, replace the center pin on the leaf spring, and put the axle back where it belongs the see how "square" it is still. Might have to buy a junkyard rear housing and axle.

 

Ask for an addendum to include the additional parts and if they can be included in the loss estimate. Once you receive the check and sign the paperwork you can no longer remove any items. Some item must be left like tire/wheels etc. you won’t get the original value of all the items you get the current depreciated value. Good luck.

 

No twists or flexes in the frame? Looks like zero body damage?

 

Buy it back. I hope they don’t have the same insurance provider as you.

 

I don't see enough damage to total it, but maybe it's hidden.

If the insurance company pays you for them and then you remove them, that's going to cause you problems.

 

I’ve been in an accident. I had these things installed but not insured. I want to be paid out for these parts as if I had been paying for insurance on them and then also keep them

I’m sorry your truck is totaled and glad you weren’t injured, but what you’re asking for is ridiculous. You aren’t the first person to try and get something for nothing. Expect insurance to be hip to anything you come up with.
If you want anything off that truck you should get it asap. Once it’s on the insurance lot your options are going to be severely limited

 

He was asking for advice. Your advice was sound and OP is not trying to be a clown and isn’t trying to do anything unethical from what I read.

If he is able to remove parts he paid for and the insurance doesn’t cover he can. He should speak to his insurance agent first and see what exactly they will cover.

There is no harm in asking and I would expect the insurance company to point out what the policy excludes.

 

I appreciate your stance and wasn’t trying to be a complete ass, which is why I decided to add something at least semi helpful.
This:

“…add those to the insurance claim for a bigger check and then, if I can unbolt them and save them for another 2023 I get in the near future . And/or sell for extra cash…”​

Is the part I take issue with and find ridiculous, but I could be misinterpreting.
If insurance lets him “add” anything after the fact, they certainly aren’t going to then knowingly let him keep the parts. Anything he wants to keep, needs to get got with the quickness.
All of this goes out the window if he buys it back obviously, which strikes me as the move to make here. That wasn’t really mentioned by OP but is a viable option

 

I feel like the "if I can" part means if the insurance company is OK with it but I can't see any reason why they would be.

 

Too bad the driver of the mercedes lived.

 

Ohhhh nooooo! Not another Quicksand Taco...

 

then you can't get insurance on it because its salvage title

 

That is one detailed accident drawing... wow...