Insurance and diminished value question after an accident.

Today our neighbor ran into our 2019 4Runner, the full impact was taken directly in the passenger side wheel, some minor damage to the body around the wheel. We were driving at about 40mph and he pulled out of his driveway directly into us, he was turning left so the passenger bumper went straight into the wheel. The wheel is pretty trashed but I'm very concerned about internal damage, this is an AWD vehicle as well. Does anyone have experience with think kind of damage and what may be involved?

I'm also curious for any advice or experience with diminished value claims in CO. We didn't even think about that a few years ago when our Ridgeline was hit. That only only had some damage to the rear quarter panel (total repair was like $3K) but on trade-in but the three dealers we tried to work with were starting with trade in -$5000 just because of the carfax.

He does have insurance... actually we both have the same company but different agents.

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Originally Posted by th3w01f

Today our neighbor ran into our 2019 4Runner, the full impact was taken directly in the passenger side wheel, some minor damage to the body around the wheel. We were driving at about 40mph and he pulled out of his driveway directly into us, he was turning left so the passenger bumper went straight into the wheel. The wheel is pretty trashed but I'm very concerned about internal damage, this is an AWD vehicle as well. Does anyone have experience with think kind of damage and what may be involved? Damage to both the steering and suspension parts possible; it will need to be checked for frame damage...not sure what those use for a "frame" these days.

I'm also curious for any advice or experience with diminished value claims in CO. We didn't even think about that a few years ago when our Ridgeline was hit. That only only had some damage to the rear quarter panel (total repair was like $3K) but on trade-in but the three dealers we tried to work with were starting with trade in -$5000 just because of the carfax.

He does have insurance... actually we both have the same company but different agents.

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Diminished value claims became pretty common about 8-10 years ago when I was getting out of auto claims. I would ask his, or your insurance company about it.

It's all up to the ins adj.
Guy down the road has a (less than) 5k mile) 19 pick up. Guy at store backs out of lot right in to his grill. $9500 later he's back on the road. The reason i mention this is.

What looks like minor damage can be a real surprise when having the estimate done. A lot of sensors were damaged, along with (something) computer related that had he driven it longer would have caused it to overheat.

TLDR version: make sure they're thorough when estimating damage. AND as it's a new vehicle you want all factory replacement parts.

MED, we were told that the frame on the 2019 4Runner is same as the Toyota truck frame but no mention if that truck frame was Taco or Tundra???

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

TLDR version: make sure they're thorough when estimating damage. AND as it's a new vehicle you want all factory replacement parts.

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This is one of my main concerns since it's a new vehicle and the brunt of the impact was straight into the rear wheel.

I got hit similarly. Hub damage and the axle was slightly moved. You probably have independent suspension so finding a good alignment shop to double check would be my priority.

I used Lakewood alignment for the supplemental suspension damage

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

It's all up to the ins adj.
Guy down the road has a (less than) 5k mile) 19 pick up. Guy at store backs out of lot right in to his grill. $9500 later he's back on the road. The reason i mention this is.

What looks like minor damage can be a real surprise when having the estimate done. A lot of sensors were damaged, along with (something) computer related that had he driven it longer would have caused it to overheat.

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Wouldn't surprise me if the truck had active shutters in the grill. They have become common in the hunt for increased efficiency.

You should have an independent front suspension similar to my FJ Cruiser, stock suspension is tough on them but I would definitely have a good shop or dealership thoroughly check it out. Stevenson Toyota was pretty awesome about getting me in on short notice recently and had great staff. As someone previously mentioned, your wheel hubs and surrounding components like control arms might have been damaged or tweaked, with my initial concern being about the hubs. If your 4Runner is setup like my ride, which is also awd, then I’d be concerned about the transfer case, front diff, and even the cv axles. Depending on how the impact went, you could be looking at a lot of bushings / tie rod ends/ etc that could have been stressed / bent / or otherwise thrown out of whack.

I read rear axle.

Maybe not so much a big deal as a front transaxle/suspension hit.

Thanks for the input. Definitely rear and AWD, I’m going to make sure a Toyota shop evaluates.

I haven’t had to deal with anything like this in years. The adjustor is coming tomorrow and my guess is that he’s going to ask us to sign off on his assessment. They keep making a statement that is something like “additional damage will be evaluated based on the original assessment” or something along those lines. My gut tells me not to sign anything without a full evaluation by a qualified mechanic.

Thoughts? Anyone done something like this recently?

I'm not sure that you will be required to sign anything. He'll probably cut you a check, but you don't need to cash it. Sometimes signing a check is a release, but that's usually for medical stuff. Supplements after the initial estimate are pretty standard and should be expected, especially with auto.

Should be interesting if that’s the case.

The adjuster is just going to work for what they see. Since he's not actually taking anything apart, you can expect that the initial estimate won't cover all the damage if other things are damaged. Once you get it to a shop, they write a more in depth estimate and send that to the insurance company as a supplement. The insurance company will then go through the supplement to make sure everything is in line. Hopefully, with a brand new vehicle you won't have to mess around getting used parts. That doesn't mean you shouldn't scrutinize everything. Best of luck.

For the record, AWD is not the same as 4WD, I didn't think the 4runner came in AWD (although on the newest ones I could be wrong), and the FJ definitely wasn't made with AWD.


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Originally Posted by hurley842002

For the record, AWD is not the same as 4WD, I didn't think the 4runner came in AWD (although on the newest ones I could be wrong), and the FJ definitely wasn't made with AWD.


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I definitely needed more coffee earlier, or to read the post a little slower, but my FJ definitely came with full time 4wd, my understanding however, is that the only difference between full time awd, and full time 4x4, is that I have the ability to engage 4low with the full time 4x4.
Potato / Pohtahtoh?

Well, yes and no. It's a bit more complicated than that, but damaged components shouldn't be any different.

You're correct, it's actually full time 4wd, not AWD. I also verified that it's a solid axle so maybe that's a good thing here?

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Originally Posted by th3w01f

You're correct, it's actually full time 4wd, not AWD. I also verified that it's a solid axle so maybe that's a good thing here?

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Still could be damage to axle and suspension components - coil sprung will have panhard bars, etc. - but nothing like a trashed front drive IFS control arm transaxle type setup.

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Originally Posted by th3w01f

You're correct, it's actually full time 4wd, not AWD. I also verified that it's a solid axle so maybe that's a good thing here?

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I sent you a long PM. Do you have a picture of damages?
To add to that PM, USAA used all OEM parts since it was a year old. AllState used Aftermarket or recycled parts for the second accident a year after.

All insurance policies with collision/comprehensive coverage pay for like, kind, and quality parts (used from other vehicles, after market, or factory if nothing else available). Some companies offer an endorsement for OEM parts only.

What did the adjuster say?

Thanks XXFattyHunterXX XXFattyHunterXX, that was very helpful.

Adjuster said they recommended after market or used but admitted it was up to me and hard for them to argue on a 2019. All prices on the initial estimate were for Toyota factory parts and 100% matched the prices from the dealer. They did cut a check but we're not touching it until this is all finished.

Initially it went to the dealer because we were worried about a major mechanical issue. Luckily it was just the wheel, tire and TPS. Adjuster had everything correct other than excluding TPS because it wasn't listed in their software and adding 20min of labor for all troubleshooting and actual work. All in all it was just a few hundred off because of the lack of labor. Body damage is pretty minor, some scratches in front of and behind the wheel well and a broken rear molding. Total for everything was below $3500 and will probably end up pretty close in the end, it's going to the body shop next so we'll see if anything was missed.

Now the interesting part is current value. I've spoken briefly with a lawyer and also found this

"'Courts have held that the measure of damage is the difference between its value immediately before its damage and immediately thereafter, together with any expense of reasonable efforts to preserve or restore it. Trujillo v. Wilson, 117 Colo. 430, 434, 189 P.2d147, 150 (Colo. 1948); Larson v. Long, 219 P. 1066 (Colo. 1923)(permitting admission of evidence of the [diminution] in value of defendant's car because of its having been in the accident because such [diminution] is an element of damage ).'".

I've read and I was told that there is no requirement to actually sell the vehicle to prove diminished value in the state of CO, but I will do that if needed. I've spoken with 2 separate dealers and the person we bought the vehicle from and the consensus is roughly 15% hit in trade in value due to the accident. I think it's crazy that a $3500 repair (most being just a new rim and tire) will lower the value of a vehicle by roughly $6000. I'm getting quotes to replace it with the exact same model on trade in and it looks like that might cost me the 15% + $1000 or so. Either way I'd rather be out of pocket $1000 and still own a $40K asset than do nothing and own a $34K one.

Well how long were you planning on keeping it? I don't suppose you're like me where you plan to drive it into the ground.

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Originally Posted by Irving

Well how long were you planning on keeping it? I don't suppose you're like me where you plan to drive it into the ground.

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We usually keep them 3-5 years but in this case it's more the principal of the whole thing. We have the 2012 Tundra that we're driving into the ground. :) Toyota just replaced the Magnuson supercharger with a brand new one at $0 under extended warranty.

If you trade into a new one you will have the sales tax, license and registration and depending on where you buy it dealer fees.

Just a reminder, but I am sure you already figured that in

Finally closing this out and I wanted to thank everyone who replied, a few points to note.

Everyone who replied was correct abut the insurance process.

1. Adjuster gives you an estimate and writes a check on the spot (I think they're hoping you'll cash the check and be done with it, especially if the damage is minimal. Cashing the check doesn't mean you accept anything, I'm just saying they hope you cash it and go away).
2. Take it to the shop (I used dealer for mechanical and body shop for well... the body...). There were supplemental claims from both and there was no push back on either.
3. Don't forget diminished value if it's a newer vehicle but make sure you have something to back up your claim. Colorado does not require you actually sell/trade the vehicle to recognize diminished value.

PM me if you want any additional info.

The insurance company might hope you cash the check and go away, but supplements are standard procedure. The adjuster wants to close files quickly (because that's what the company wants, and it's less work), but again, no one expects it because it's normal for supplements. It's not really possible to write a 100% accurate estimate without talking the vehicle apart, which the adjuster will never do, so supplements are expected.

ETA: Sounds like I'm an insurance shill or something. Not my intention. Really glad everyone worked out for you.