Is it totaled? (Early/late Friday edition)

That would've been nice. It was a 2013, maybe not equipped?

 

Thanks for the heads up. The way I see it, they ruined an OEM part, it should be returned to the same quality, fit and finish prior to the accident. Not pieced together with cheap repro parts. If not, sounds like more reason for a higher diminished value.

 

I argued the same with my own and the at fault parties insurance companies. Neither would budge. You have a valid argument either way. In my case I went ahead and had the repairs done thru my insurance company because the at fault parties insurance was dragging their feet (other party was intentionally being unavailable) so I wanted my truck fixed and had it done with the non oem parts. I can’t tell a difference of quality after the repairs but I did drop my insurance when renewal came up and told them why. Went with a carrier that allows a clause for use of oem repair parts.

 

Definite frame damage. Good thing is that does not automatically total it these days. You should lawyer up and take it to the dealer for an oil change.

 

Anybody with experience with insurance companies, I've found myself in a situation. I filed a claim this morning with the insurance company provided on accident report. They verified the other party was insured, initiated the claim, assigned a claims representative and had me submit photos and videos of the damage.

A couple hours later, the daughter of the driver texts me and said I need to contact an entirely different insurance provider to begin the claim. I called that company and informed them I already started the process with the company provided on the accident report. The second company told me to proceed with the first company since a claim was already established. I told the daughter this. She INSISTS her mother is not insured by the first company and I need to file with the second company and use their repair shop (that I don't want to use). The first company tells me the claim I filed this morning is still good. They even agreed taking my truck to a Toyota certified collision center would be best.

What kind of shenanigans is this daughter up to?

 

If you have a police report and the insurance companies phone number, call them and ask if this motorist is insured by them. Did the officer at the scene check you both for insurance? And did you do ,the information exchange with each other ?

 

Regarding diminished value (if your state allows for it). You have to be the one to negotiate with her insurance. And they'll typically use this calculation:

https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/diminished-value-claim/#calculating-dim

Diminished value is negotiable. If you're not happy, see if you can get them to offer more. Helped my parents through the same thing. Other guy's insurance company offered 750...my dad asked for 1100 and they accepted (2018 Lincoln MKZ, 35k-ish miles)

 

The company on the police report is who I began the process with this morning. They didn't say, "Wait. We don't have anyone insured by that name." They confirmed policy number, address, etc. And started a claim. They got my pics and videos and said the adjuster would be in touch with me in 1-2 days.

Now it's the daughter insisting she's not insured by that first company and I need to file a claim with another company. Wondering if I just need to ignore the daughter?

 

If you going through the "other" parties insurance I wouldn't even talk to them anymore. The kid probably wasn't added to the parents insurance policy prior to the accident. So the parents think they can quickly grab a policy for the kid so the accident will be charged to the kids policy. Not the parents. Lastly go get medically checked out to cover yourself or family if you have one.

 

Nobody was in my truck, it was parked on the street. Wasn't a kid that hit it, it was a 75yo lady....but could be similar concerns with losing insurance/license.

 

Street parking strikes again

 

Had the truck been running there could of been a chance that the airbags would have deployed. Then it might have been totaled.

Which means if it isn't totaled and gets fixed, you will be driving a truck that was close to being totaled.

 

It was indeed a hard hit. I have video from my front porch cam. And after watching it, it's laughable she told the police officer she was doing 2mph.

 

If and when the accident occurred , the insurance card had/has involved vehicles information. And it's not expired and the year/make/vin number are correct. Thats the insurance company that handles the insured accident. Sounds like you contacted the correct company.

 

I used to have a job that involved visiting multiple homes a day. I learned (the hard way) to avoid parking opposite a driveway in the zone where people would be backing up.

 

I read up on a formula that’s used by many companies, it would set the diminished value at maximum 10% of vehicle value, times a fraction dependent on severity of damage. Of course this assumes not totaled. So you would likely be in a range anywhere from 5-7.5% of market value of your vehicle. So punch in your info on NADA for a used value and then apply the percentages, there’s your potential range.

 

Finally got my truck back! Took forever to get it in the shop, then they had it for nearly a month. Got all OEM parts, new driver's side fender, fender flare, inner fender, headlight, grille, bumper, valance, foglight. Turned out the best it could, after pointing out some silly issues to the shop (like fish eyes and runs, and the fender flare being overly glossy ). Color match is perfect. Super happy to be back in it and out of the dreadful rental.

Still dealing with insurance to get diminished value. I think they basically try to torture you with their hold times to get you to give up. I've sat on hold for hours, literally, and have gotten nowhere.