Engine Fire - Insurance Claim Considerations

Background:

I had an engine fire in my 2015 Off Road with about 160,000 miles on my way home from work Thursday. Luckily, I had 2 medium sized extinguishers in the camper an put it out quickly leaving severe but localized fire damage. It appears to be a ruptured fuel line as when the battery is reconnected, it gushed fuel in that area.

I have estimated about $20,000 (current retail) in what I will call “obvious” or “big ticket” aftermarket parts and with exception of the new front axels (CVJ for those wondering) and hub/bearing assemblies, I have done all the labor myself. Just had these done less than 500 miles ago while I was in the Philippines. Some mods, like switches and small electrical projects are probably not worth capturing as the parts are not terribly valuable but sometimes labor intensive.

I have only filed an online claim so far and have not had an adjuster out or given any verbal statements. Chatgpt says I should list all the mods with current values, receipts, install dates, before / after pics, and ask for diminished value compensation (if not totaled). In most cases I do not have all receipts. I suspect it may total given the location of the fire and that the factory fuse panel / box is involved and badly damaged. While I prefer that it is repairable, I want to prepare for both scenarios.

I will try to get before and after photos posted in the comments but had some issues with uploads and format originally.


Questions for the audience:

Should I leave all the items on the truck or begin stripping some parts. I have considered buying a relatively stock, low mile 2015 off road and just moving everything over. I could do this whether I strip now or buy back from the insurance and strip. I really don’t have the time to do all the labor myself like before but this is going to be a fortune to swap all this out in one swoop.

I have considered a 4runner but far prefer the separate camper to keep all the smelly stuff separated from the cabin. I do outside workouts 3-4 days a week and have all my sandbags and workout gear back their along with a decent tool box. What year models (if any) 4runner have the most availability for direct part swaps? Particularly my pelfrey front bumper, light bar and lighting, wheels/tires, and suspension?

Should I just buy something new (2016 – 2022) and start over? I know not a lot rolls over to the 2016 and beyond. I can still buy back from insurance and part out if needed. I hate the electronics in the newest model and pretty well say that’s off the table.

Other thought or considerations?

 

Added some photos for context.

 

That is a LOT of modifications. I would be shocked if they don't blame the fire on all of those electrical modifications. Please let us know how this turns out.

A big question is did the fuel leak cause the fire or did the fire cause the fuel leak?????

 

Yes, I am sure they are going to try that route in which case I don't think they would cover it at all. While hard to tell, the wiring, while charred for sure seems to be intact though it is hard to tell from the photos. If needed, I will hire an independent adjuster.

 

I would take this to Reddit. Check the “insurance” sub. Lots of adjusters etc there. You are going to have to choose your words carefully on this. I would say very little. Do not say anything other than it caught on fire and that’s all you know. The more you say the more they have to scapegoat. You are not lying. You do not know how the fire started, you don’t remember what it looked like or where the fire was when you extinguished it, you were in a bit of shock which is understandable, you know nothing other than what they see and they tell you.

 

Yes, I plan to continue to be vague.

it looks like the following significant items may move over to 3rd Gen fairly seamlessly.

1. Fox suspension
2. Deaver stage 2 leafs
3. Archive Hammer Hangers
4. Caliraised roof rack, and BD light bar
5. Most stereo components but doubt head unit
6. CVJ axels (when needed) but maybe not a 2023 model
7. BD Fog lights

Things that won’t:
1. Genesis dual battery kit, but batteries do cross over
2. Pelfreybilt front bumper
3. Camper
4. Switches and other custom electronics
5. Retrofitted headlights

 

IMO it looks far more like an electrical meltdown then a fuel system malfunction or line, the fuel line was likely damaged by the electrical fire which included brake fluid. If not that line failure would have sprayed additional fuel on the fire and you'd be looking at far more damage, to me it almost looks like the circuit breaker is the center of the conflagration. Not trying to be a dick, I have a similar wiring mods in my tacoma with a very similar circuit breaker. I hope the insurance half works out for you.

 

Modding vehicles can be an expensive hobby. I would buy a 2nd hand gen 2 and a dirt bike and trailer. Keep the stock tacoma as is and consider it as your dependable transportation.

 

So, the State Farm policy states:
ANY PART OR EQUIPMENT OF A

COVERED VEHICLE IF THAT PART OR

EQUIPMENT:

a. FAILS OR IS DEFECTIVE; OR

b. IS DAMAGED AS A DIRECT RESULT

OF:

(1) WEAR AND TEAR;

(2) FREEZING; OR

(3) MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL,

OR ELECTRONIC BREAKDOWN

OR MALFUNCTION

OF THAT PART OR EQUIPMENT.

This exclusion does not apply if the loss is

the result of theft of the covered vehicle;


SO....whether fuel line or electrical, they basically don't cover any fire unless it was secondary to a collision or some sort of road hazard.

 

I must have read that differently. I read that as they do cover it. I have a person you should contact.

do you have an appraisal clause?

look up Collision Safety Consultants on Facebook and sent him a message. He’s an independent adjuster that works for you not the insurance. It would be wise to contact him.

 

IMHO it looks to be an electric fire more than leaking fuel.

If you have full coverage even if it’s your fault mistake or failure of a part they should cover it.

 

I’m sure the insurance guys will pop in eventually.

There’s been lots of threads lately specifically asking about after market parts and accessories and how that affects the value of the vehicle for payout.

General consensus I’ve gathered from those is unless you are specifically paying extra $$ for coverage of those items, your not going to get paid for them.

I’m not an insurance expert though, only regurgitating tw chatter.

 

I also think you are 100% covered maybe not your accessories but doesn’t apply in this case.

 

Uhhh… Yeah they only cover you for what your vehicle is worth.

To them, it is VIN, mileage, and any legacy collisions (kinda). Not modifications.

If you are only paying a premium based on the above, expect to only get that reimbursement.

You will pay more for covering modifications and will be in kind compensated in the case of an accident.

Not exactly rocket science…

It’s worth the extra $20/month.

 

I've read about plenty of vehicle fires, I would be surprised if the insurance wouldn't generally cover it.

I don't think they would cover any of your mods as expensive stuff usually needs additional explicit coverage. My insurance policy (which could be way different than yours) calls it out specifically - I also had asked them about it and they said if the vehicle is considered a loss and they compensate me for the portion that is "stock" or declared, they would NOT allow me to take anything that requires the use of tools to be removed from the vehicle. Basically they need to be able to sell the car at auction to get what they can and they don't want missing pieces.

 

This is part of their exclusions causes...they also don't cover a missile strikes or radioactive contamination.

 

Yes, they definitely don't cover mods unless paid extra for that coverage. But it doesnt appear they pay any kind of fire either unless caused by a collision or other road hazard. They specifically exclude coverage for mechanical failure of a part whether it is a fuel line or electrical meltdown due to any typical cause.

I will keep the group posted, but thats where we stand currently.

 

did you see my post about the independent adjuster above? I recommend emailing him. Doesn’t cost you anything to send him your declaration page and what happened and see what he says.

 

Yes, for sure will go down that raod some too! Thanks for the advice on that. Might even do that first as state farm wants me to take it to one of their many "trusted" repair shops. None of which are a toyota dealer.

 

Exactly. Do that first. What you say and how you proceed will be the most important part. Look at his Facebook page. He shows examples of how insurance tried to screw customers and he destroys the insurance adjusters. Keep us posted.