Wrecked Tundra need help!

Hello Guys!
I smashed my 08 Tundra and insurance company deemed it a total loss. The collision guys say it can be fixed and isn't a total loss. I'm looking at purchasing back from insurance company. Has anyone been through this?
Any recommendations on what other parts I may need that I have not listed.Not sure what's the name of part that the weld broke looks like a radiator mount/bushing. Please help guys.
Hood
Left Fender
Left inner apron fender
Grill
Radiator
Radiator Support

 

I can't help, and I am sorry on the loss. At least you're ok. Looking to see how the insurance buy back goes and salvaged title goes. Good luck.

 

You can probably get other insurance adjusters to give you a 2nd opinion.

 

If the insurance company deems it a total then the first thing you need to do is make sure they are paying the highest amount possible. Their first offer usually assumes the truck is in average or below average condition, and you should let them know that it was in perfect, tip top condition before the crash.

If you still want to buy it back and get it fixed, determine what kind of title you will end up with in your state. A title that indicates that the truck was totaled and resurrected, like a salvage title, will make it very difficult to sell in the future.

If you get it repaired, make sure you know the quality of the parts the body shop is planning to use and what the end result will look like to be sure that you will be satisfied. Nothing is more frustrating than fighting with a body shop about the quality of the paint job after it is done.

If you decide to let it go for scrap then do your best to get all of your personal stuff and after market parts before it goes.

 

Was that dent in your running board before the crash?

 

This is my truck before and after... hell of a wreck! Initially insurance quoted only 14k. I was fortunate I could take it back to the dealer. They made it right (the bottom pic). If your insurance calls it a loss, I'd get a second opinion...

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from NY.
Glad you're okay.

 

Same thing happened to my 08. Now sporting a lovely 14+ front end conversion!

 

Welcome from Utah! Glad you're OK! I think if it were me, so long as there was nothing wrong with the engine, I would do the repair, and probably do the 14+ conversion in the process like @greasemnky did.

 

Your truck is almost 11 years old. A contrbuting factor for the insurance company in totaling your truck. A body shop will also push for the fix for business reasons. Thats just their nature. However from the pictures I see that that the front impact bracket didnt get damaged so I"d fix it if the cost of fixing it is less then the total value of the truck before the crash.
Use Kbb.com to check the value of your truck and look for simplar trucks selling in your state. Also use this information to fight for a better insurance pay out if you're going to accept the loss.


Also know that if you accept that loss , the impact of that will be on your insurance record and the insurance company will leverage that on your next renewal.

If you’re involved in an at-fault collision and your car is totaled, then your insurance premiums will almost certainly increase.
However, your rates may not increase if you’re involved in a collision where you’re not at-fault. Insurance companies calculate higher premiums in different ways. With some insurance companies, totaling a vehicle will lead to higher insurance premiums for 5 to 7 years. Other insurance companies ignore at-fault accidents after just 3 or 4 years.

 

If you buy that vehicle back from the insurance and repair it, you will still have a tainted truck. Not just trying to resell if that comes up later on in life but you will have a truck that cannot be fully insured. You will have a truck that will have a salvaged title, you will not be able to get comp and collision insurance you will only get liability to take care of the other property if you were at fault for an accident. Again top that off with a possible sale in the future??
The insurance company will total a vehicle if the damage cost is over 70% of the vehicles worth so I would think about repair over the insurance paying you off. You would probably come out ahead if you let them give you a $$ number than once you have that do a little research and you might possibly find like vehicles in your area that are being sold for more, that’s when you go back to insurance and show them they are low balling and possibly get more out of them.
This information comes directly from an insurance agent (my wife).
You could start researching now and be ready for when they do give you a $$ amount, just make sure when doing research that you are comparing like to like vehicles (mileage, interior, exterior conditions) and that is the $$ amount SOLD for not for (sale for).

 

I agree with TRPL7. I'm not sure your financial situation but maybe you can take the insurance money and buy a new or used 14-2020 Tundra. Good luck and glad you are ok.

 

Wasn't meaning to hijack the thread. My apologies. Glad OP is okay though! Always sad to see a tundra in peril!

 

No worries, I was just saying

 

I would do a little math. Do you have a loan on it? How much is the insurance offering you? Will it cover the loan? How much is the body shop going to charge you to repair it? Will they give you a price that's firm? How much will come out of your pocket? How many miles on it? Is the body/ frame rusty? And the biggest one, were you planning on driving it until it's life was over or were you planning on selling it?

No matter what it'll show that there was an accident but if you buy it back the insurance company will not get the title so it shouldn't be marked as rebuilt. The damage actually looks pretty light but it's not uncommon for a body shop to find some damage that they didn't see. Sometimes you just can't see all the damage while others it's an easy way to squeeze a little more out of the insurance. Plenty of people buy their vehicle back and then sell it as is. Usually the insurance companies look at how much it'll cost to fix vs how much it's worth in the shape it's in. But they will also be paying for things like trucking it to an auction, storage fees, etc so selling it to you at a discount doesn't cost them.

 

Obviously nobody on this forum has any idea what your personnel situation is and it really is none of our business and we are here try to help since you asked. I do know that you are not required to take the price they offer, you have the right to prove that the vehicle is worth more in your area. I also know that if the insurance company totals a vehicle then because you buy the vehicle back from the insurance company the title will show the vehicle has been totaled. Car Fax will also be notified through the VIN # so NO insurance company will every place full coverage on this vehicle again.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I never planned on selling my tundra I always wanted to drive it to end if days or pass down to my son. it only had 107,000 miles on it and paid off. I dont want another car note since I'm paying on my 16 4runner limited. I'm interested in conversion how difficult is it? I'm still waiting on a offer.

 

If you want to sell the wrecked tundra after the insurance writes you the check. Please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.

 

I rebuilt it man made it a Gen 3

 

what were the details? Inquiring minds want to know.....how much did you purchase it from the insurance company for? What did it take to resurrect it? How has it been driving? Any issues?

 

Man it was the best thing I ever did I have another thread with a build on it
Bought back for like 4k and they cut me another check for 10k it only had 120k and I installed a Tesla Phoenix Head Unit love it! Runs like a champ with no issues!!

 

Here she is doing some work!

 

My tesla head unit I installed

 

Nice resurrection !
Appears your coil springs are needing attention ?

 

Why do you say that coil springs need attention? Rides smooth

 

Just an FYI, you can always negotiate with your insurance company on the value of your vehicle. I had a jeep cherokee back in the day that was deemed a total loss and I kept telling the insurance guy all the things I had done to it (brand new BFG tires and new brakes, etc.,) and they gave me enough money to completely pay off the loan and have an additional $3k in the bank. I was not happy that my beloved cherokee was totaled because I had done a lot to that jeep, but I couldn't complain about the $ I got from the insurance company.

 

Because of the wear on the tire. Are they all like that?