1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Should I claim this on my insurance?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by NMW 4x4, Feb 29, 2016.

  1. Feb 29, 2016 at 7:47 AM
    #21
    CelsisTaco

    CelsisTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2013
    Member:
    #108805
    Messages:
    995
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Des Monies, IA
    Vehicle:
    2011 DCSB
    2 inch lift. LED fog lights (Cali fab) Alpine head unit. Kicker door speakers. Skar subwoofer.
    Claim it, get the money for it and do whatever you want. Might as well man! Glad your okay, sorry to see your truck like that, that sucks :(
     
  2. Feb 29, 2016 at 8:00 AM
    #22
    DVexile

    DVexile Exiled to the East

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2014
    Member:
    #144469
    Messages:
    2,778
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB V6 TRD OR 4X4
    $100 deductible? First thing I'd do is get quotes for higher deductibles and do a little math to see just how much you are paying for such a low deductible. The very fact you are here asking whether or not to file a claim on this incident suggests you have no need for a $100 deductible and could save a lot of money over time by raising it. Everyone's financial situation is different but it is very rare for there to be a good case for a $100 deductible on anything.

    As some others suggested if you do file a claim I would take the money and use it on something else and just live with the cosmetic damage. It is a truck after all.

    Glad your accident was pretty minor and you and the truck are OK!
     
    Sugar Silva, koditten and CelsisTaco like this.
  3. Feb 29, 2016 at 8:32 AM
    #23
    NMW 4x4

    NMW 4x4 [OP] Wheels With Moose.

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    Member:
    #87462
    Messages:
    563
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Walt
    T8 R11 WELS, Maine
    Vehicle:
    '14 DCLB SR5 4x4
    Thank you for the input everyone!

    Just came from the Toyota dealership.

    The front end went back into alignment without problem.

    They did a thorough inspection of the front end and a full mechanical inspection of the rest of the truck and everything else came back positive.

    So, it would appear that the full extend of the damage is simply cosmetic as shown in my pictures.
     
  4. Feb 29, 2016 at 8:37 AM
    #24
    CAM37

    CAM37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2015
    Member:
    #170358
    Messages:
    1,395
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black TRD Sport
    $100 is pretty low. I carry a Comp $100 and Collision $500 policy. I used to carry a $1,000 deductible for collision until I started handling claims and saw just how many ways you can und up paying a collision deductible when an accident isn't even your fault.

    Like the poster above recommended, just get some quotes and see which deductible makes more sense for you. Part of the equation is doing some self-awareness and understanding just how much of a risk you are as a driver. But even if you are the world's best driver, you can still end up paying your Collision deductible. For instance, someone changes lanes and says you did... hard to prove. Or someone runs a red light, denies, it, no witnesses... hard to prove.

    Keep all that in mind when deciding which deductible makes sense for you.
     
    cseaman likes this.
  5. Feb 29, 2016 at 8:48 AM
    #25
    NMW 4x4

    NMW 4x4 [OP] Wheels With Moose.

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    Member:
    #87462
    Messages:
    563
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Walt
    T8 R11 WELS, Maine
    Vehicle:
    '14 DCLB SR5 4x4
    I have been considering keeping my $100 comp deductible and going to a higher, say $500 collision deductible.

    This is my first at-fault accident, and I would generally consider myself an extremely cautious driver. I have a Class A CDL and spend quite a lot of time on the road.

    For this particular situation, say I decided that I wanted to get it fixed. So, I go to my local Toyota Collision Center. They do excellent work, but generally just replace parts instead of repairing them, so my repair quote would be quite high. Would it be possible to get a check from my insurance for that quoted priced?

    Optimally, I would then take it to a smaller local body shop and have them straighten everything out. I don't care about the paint, I just want the body straight. They could do it for less that the Toyota Center quoted me, so would I just keep what was left over from the insurance check? I would really like to get some sliders at the minimum, as I believe this damage could have been prevented if I'd had them.

    Would it be possible for me to take that route? That way the repair would still be done professionally and I'd have some money leftover to purchase some sliders?

    Or, is that considered unethical? I'm not really sure. Please be honest, what're your thoughts?
     
  6. Feb 29, 2016 at 8:53 AM
    #26
    gainman

    gainman Semper Fi

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Member:
    #10185
    Messages:
    3,536
    Gender:
    Male
    SW Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Sport Supercharged Manual
    Stuff
    I wouldn't claim it. I don't like having an accident on my carfax
     
  7. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:02 AM
    #27
    cseaman

    cseaman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2015
    Member:
    #162973
    Messages:
    244
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Atropia
    Vehicle:
    2019 RS3, 2019 SQ5
    Your insurance company cannot force you to do the repair anywhere. So if Toyota's Collision Center writes you an estimate and your insurance company approves it, it's completely your decision as to what you do with that check.

    The only major variable is whether there is a lien-holder on the truck. If so, and the damages are greater than $XXX (whatever your insurer deems to be the number where they care, my previous employer where I adjusted started this at $6000), they'd write you a two party check to the repair shop of your choice AND to you. This is done to obligate you to do repairs since you're not the legal owner of the vehicle.

    I don't view that as unethical, at all. Repair and replace how you please. They owe you to make the vehicle whole again; if you're okay with leaving some remnants of this accident, that's your choice.
     
    NMW 4x4[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:03 AM
    #28
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2013
    Member:
    #112077
    Messages:
    19,754
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kirk
    Central Michigan
    Vehicle:
    04 trd x-cab 4 x 4 3.4l
    Reserected from the dead.
    This is a good plan, except just pay the shop to straighten the sheet metal out of your pocket. It should be less than $500 to get the metal trued up.

    Hint, find a shop that has a well used frame machine. The guys that run these really know how to line up body panels the best.

    I like to think I know what I'm talking about. All my Toyota trucks for the last 20 years were totaled wrecks. I rebuild these things as a hobby. I've had lots of expience working with body shops and paying Cash.
     
    NMW 4x4[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:07 AM
    #29
    NMW 4x4

    NMW 4x4 [OP] Wheels With Moose.

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    Member:
    #87462
    Messages:
    563
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Walt
    T8 R11 WELS, Maine
    Vehicle:
    '14 DCLB SR5 4x4
    Excellent info. I really appreciate it.

    FYI, there is a lien-holder on my truck. I assume anyways, I received a loan to buy it and haven't paid it off it, which means there is a lien, correct?
     
  10. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:14 AM
    #30
    CAM37

    CAM37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2015
    Member:
    #170358
    Messages:
    1,395
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black TRD Sport
    You will have choices when it comes to your estimate. You make the decision on repair shop. If the shop participates in Geico's preferred shop program, then the shop write the estimate, they will fix your vehicle, and Geico will pay them directly for the repairs, you simply pay the shop the $100 deductible when they are done.

    If you pick a shop outside Geico's program, Geico is going to write an estimate and pay you directly. Then it's your choice to get the truck fixed or not. If not, you keep their money but your truck is worth less. If you get it fixed, you pay the shop that fixes it, keeping in mind that if you're not happy, it's between you and the shop, Geico can't help you since the shop is not in their program. And keep in mind if that shop charges you more for parts and/or labor that Geico allowed on their estimate, you pay the difference.
     
    Boerseun and NMW 4x4[OP] like this.
  11. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:17 AM
    #31
    Skrain

    Skrain Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2013
    Member:
    #115406
    Messages:
    4,695
    Gender:
    Male
    Monticello, Ky
    Vehicle:
    2009 F.J. Cruiser
    Westin 9 LED Driving Lights.
    Yup. Well, if it was an auto loan, that is. A personal loan, maybe not. Do you have a clear title to it?
     
  12. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:20 AM
    #32
    js312

    js312 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128076
    Messages:
    5,800
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    New England
    Vehicle:
    23 F150 PowerBoost Lariat 502a
    Husky Weatherbeaters, OEM Mud Guards, Wheel Well Liners, Bullet Spray-In Bed Liner, Gator Soft Tri-Fold Cover, Michelin LTX M/S2 (Summer), Blizzak DM-V2 (Winter)
    When I got run off the road in my Subaru, I was at fault because the other guy just kept driving and I didn't get his plate number.

    I ordinarily have a $500 collision deductible, but my insurance company (Hanover) told me they were only going to charge me $250 for that incident since I had an otherwise flawless record.

    I'm not sure how common-place that is.
     
  13. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:25 AM
    #33
    NMW 4x4

    NMW 4x4 [OP] Wheels With Moose.

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    Member:
    #87462
    Messages:
    563
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Walt
    T8 R11 WELS, Maine
    Vehicle:
    '14 DCLB SR5 4x4
    It was an auto loan through my local Credit Union. They hold the title.
     
  14. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:26 AM
    #34
    Skrain

    Skrain Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2013
    Member:
    #115406
    Messages:
    4,695
    Gender:
    Male
    Monticello, Ky
    Vehicle:
    2009 F.J. Cruiser
    Westin 9 LED Driving Lights.
    Yup. That's a lien.
     
    NMW 4x4[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:32 AM
    #35
    CAM37

    CAM37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2015
    Member:
    #170358
    Messages:
    1,395
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black TRD Sport
    Makes no sense. Either they would find you at fault and your $500 ded. would apply, or they thought the other guy was at fault and handled it as a Uninsured Motorist claim and that's why your deductible dropped to $250. They wouldn't drop your deductible just because you were normally a good driver.
     
  16. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:39 AM
    #36
    js312

    js312 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128076
    Messages:
    5,800
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    New England
    Vehicle:
    23 F150 PowerBoost Lariat 502a
    Husky Weatherbeaters, OEM Mud Guards, Wheel Well Liners, Bullet Spray-In Bed Liner, Gator Soft Tri-Fold Cover, Michelin LTX M/S2 (Summer), Blizzak DM-V2 (Winter)
    Huh, not sure. I know it's normally 500, and just looked again and for that incident it was $200 (not $250 like I thought). I can't find the email where they explained their reasoning for that, though--maybe it was a phone conversation.
     
  17. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:42 AM
    #37
    CAM37

    CAM37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2015
    Member:
    #170358
    Messages:
    1,395
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black TRD Sport
    Very likely, they did not put fault on you and lowered your deductible to your State-mandated Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Liability deductible (every State decides that deductible, most are from $0 - 300).
     
  18. Feb 29, 2016 at 9:46 AM
    #38
    Mademan925

    Mademan925 Senor Taco

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Member:
    #90668
    Messages:
    7,639
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Discovery Bay, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 4x4 TRD OFFROAD DCSB
    enough to go over stuff
    Had a similar situation last year. bumper, door, body, and bed damage after sliding off the road. If it happened on the trail Id let it go but it happened on the road so I paid the 500 deductible and moved on. I also winched myself back onto the road.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Feb 29, 2016 at 10:03 AM
    #39
    NMW 4x4

    NMW 4x4 [OP] Wheels With Moose.

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    Member:
    #87462
    Messages:
    563
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Walt
    T8 R11 WELS, Maine
    Vehicle:
    '14 DCLB SR5 4x4
    Ouch.

    You just had it repaired? Took it to a shop and let the insurance take care of it?

    If you don't mind me asking.
     
  20. Feb 29, 2016 at 10:16 AM
    #40
    Mademan925

    Mademan925 Senor Taco

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Member:
    #90668
    Messages:
    7,639
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Discovery Bay, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 4x4 TRD OFFROAD DCSB
    enough to go over stuff
    Yep. Statefarm recommend a body shop near my house. I dropped the truck off. They pulled my plate bumper off and sent it to a powder coater and they fixed the body damage and I just paid my deductible. They also fixed the barrier. I broke to posts and the cable.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top