Accident - Totaling Truck

Got into a fender bender a couple of weeks back, it wasn’t my fault, had a fellow pull out in front of me. Luckily I was able to swerve to avoid a full impact running 55. The only damage was cosmetic from the access door down the bed. The truck is fully drivable other than being sorta an eyesore.

Here’s the kicker, the other driver’s insurance adjuster took a look at it and said that it would cost more to fix it than what it’s worth….they are working me up some numbers for it.

That’s really a bummer, 250k miles on it and still going strong….would rather drive it than my 22 GMC. Gonna try to figure out a way to keep it before kicking it to the curb and it going to the scrap yard.

 

In similar situation (my fault though) I bought another vehicle, same year/model/color, swapped my good drivetrain/interior parts and kept driving basically the same vehicle. Insurance is not aware of anything, only that the car was sold

 

Ugh. Everyone on the 1st gen forum's worst nightmare. Sorry dude.

 

Would a declared value type insurance policy cover you in this kind of situation? My '03 Tacoma has 300k miles (but is mechanically pristine) and I'm sure if I got in a wreck any insurance adjuster would do the exact same. Stories like this keep reminding me to look into better coverage options

 

Before you come to any conclusion of kicking it to the scrap yard, you may want to part it out especially if you have the obsolete unicorn master cylinder with VSC.

 

Why is the other driver's insurance adjuster involved?? It's not your fault. Let your insurance determine whether it can be repaired. The other driver's insurance company is looking out for their own interests not yours. Just sayin.

 

I actually spoke to my company today which is Allstate. From what they are telling me the other driver’s company, Progressive, are within their legal rights in making a determination on whether or not the vehicle is worth repairing or completely totaling it. In my eyes it is but not theirs.

I did learn today that there is a “diminished value” law in Georgia where it’s possible for the insurance to pay what the value depreciated after the accident which would mean I could keep. I’m still trying to understand and sort this out???

 

My 07 got rear ended and a few months later I got side swiped by a cement truck. Not my fault both times. Both times I got my insurance directly involved and not the other parties insurance. My insurance authorized the repairs both times and arranged for the rental cars. Both times my insurance billed the other parties insurance company.

 

That’s interesting..my local Allstate office has been pretty much hands off throughout this ordeal. Maybe I need to have another conversation with them.

 

You need to have that conversation.

 

Ugh, sucks man. I’m sadly on my third FGT due to accidents over 16 years of ownership. Side note, had a 2011 Tundra in between and sold it to go back to the beloved FGT.

Georgia also has comparative fault (I think I remember the wording correctly?). Insurance is allowed to make their own decision as to fault and reduce value accordingly. I fought with an adjuster on a claim that was the other driver’s fault as determined by the police report, but the adjuster decided I could have done something different to help avoid the accident and assigned me 10% fault and therefore 10% less value. Huge conflict of interest but legally allowed. Total racquet.

I guess my point for those who don’t know, say nothing to insurance if the established facts are in your favor. Their only interest in getting a statement from you is to try and find something they can fault.

Good luck in your battle

 

It’s all about money…corporate America doesn’t care about people anymore, it’s all about the bottom line and profits.

Maybe I’m being a little too critical or just having a bad day, hell I don’t know. I’ll just do what I can and move forward…as my dad use to tell me, don’t worry about it son, it will all come out wash day.

 

Well I’ve never heard of a declared value type of policy but it sounds like something that might be pricey. Guess I really never considered myself being in this position.

 

I share your sentiments.

On the bright side, I’ve done a lot of shopping for 1st Gen Tundras in the last 2-3 years and there are some real clean 2wd to be had in Georgia if you do get a good settlement value. I’m in the NE Atlanta area if you see anything this way you want eyes on. Hope it doesn’t come to that and you get better resolution

 

I don't know about other states, but in California the person or insurance company have to "make you whole" as they say, meaning you need the required amount to get you back to where you were, but that is always the issue. The liable party wants you to settle for as little as possible. I had a 1980 something

$229 Toyota SR5 TOYOTA Tundra Interior BURL Wood Dash Trim KIT Set 2007 2008 2009 2010

Toyota SR5 hit and totaled while parked, by an elderly driver, years ago, but they tried to lowball me and I said no, in the end they ponied up a very fair settlement to include the DMV fees I had just paid. Don't take their first offer, it you feel it's unfair to you.

 

I went through this exact thing with mine. They wanted to total my truck after a minor deer strike to the drivers side. I refused and made a cash settlement for the value of the truck that included me “buying it back” or keeping the truck. Be sure to negotiate an appropriate value, not the pittance they offer.

my trucks damage that “totaled” it

 

Thanks, I’ll keep your offer in mind.

 

This is why they are totaling mine out….unbelievable.

 

Wow. That is wild

 

Your NOT wrong. I went though this BS when a tornado damaged all our vehicles. It was a battle I ultimately lost. Ins. companies are full of human garbage.
Best of luck with your outcome

 

Good news!!! Woke up this morning to find an email from Progressive approving the repair on my truck instead of totaling it out. Not sure what happened to change their minds but I’m good with it. Must of figured out that it was cheaper to repair than to just total it.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Below is the BEST advise I have read for you. This comes from a guy that does this stuff on a daily basis.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-1872#post-3424590

 

Finally got my ole girl back today. Was glad to see her.

 

This explains a lot. In October of 2022, I was driving my dad's Kia Soul after dropping him off at physical therapy and got into an accident that was 100% not my fault. Shortly after, the other driver's insurance company kept trying to call me. I couldn't figure out why. Now I know.

 

I was in a similar wreck and dealing with insurance was a mess—took forever to get fair value. If you're stuck waiting on their decision and it involved a big rig, talking to an 18-wheeler accident lawyer Knoxville might help speed things up and make sure you’re not lowballed. I didn’t think to do that at first and it cost me some headaches.

 

I've had the same experience. Use the sales you can find as close to your vehicle as you can find to justify your position. This approach actually doubled the payout on one my vehicles (initial offer was obviously way low).

 

Thank you!! I am genuinely happy for your outcome!! No tundra deserves to be pronounced dead from a minor bruise!!!