My 10 month old 2006 red Prius died yesterday.

[ilovemyprius]

Yesterday, while driving in Houston a woman was talking on her cell phone and ran a red light. I slammed on my breaks and Tboned her. The airbags deployed and my front end is about 1 foot shorter and everything is shifted to the right. I am very thankful my fiance and I were in our Prius and not in another car. The seat belts in the Prius bruised us very badly, but we are alive which is the most important thing.

I am worried the car is totaled. And even if the insurance company does try to fit it I am afraid it will never be the same. Has anyone had any experience totaling a 2006 and getting insurance money?

When I go to the tow lot I will take pictures and post them.

Thanks for your help.

[mr_zorg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ilovemyprius @ Oct 9 2006, 02:43 PM) [snapback]330243[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone had any experience totaling a 2006 and getting insurance money?[/b]

No, but I do know a little bit about insurance... If your insurance (or theirs) totals the car, they usually pay out based on what the vehicle is worth (blue book or black book), not what you owe on it. A brand new vehicle takes a substantial hit in value the moment you drive it off the lot, so yours (being only 10 months old) is probably worth less than you owe on it at the moment, which would leave you at a disadvantage. UNLESS your loan came with what is commonly called "gap insurance" -- this is special insurance designed specifically to cover this situation where the car is totaled and is worth less than you owe. If you have that, no worries. If you don't, you may run into problems with your if you are found to be at fault (but how could you be if they ran a red?). If the other driver is at fault, you can most likely talk them into covering the full amount.

But don't take my word as gospel, check with your insurance company to be sure. If you run into a hard time with either company, get a lawyer. You'll be surprised what they can do.

[eclectcmoi]

So sorry to hear of your accident. Thank goodness you and your fiance are okay. From what I've read here in other posts about Prius accidents, insurance companies do total the cars quite frequently. Good luck in dealing with your insurance company and hope it all comes out right for you!

[Rancid13]

Sorry to hear about your accident, but I'm very glad to hear that the both of you were all right, save for the bruising caused by the seatbelts. Every time I read an Prius-accident story on here, it makes me feel that much better about picking a car that can protect its occupants in a collision.

[New Revelation]

Im glad you are ok....Houston has alot of moron and irresponsible drivers; being a former Houston resident, you encounter these types all the time.

I remember an accident in 1997 I had with my Olds when I was waiting for a green light. My light turned green and I started to make my left turn. Before I knew it another car on the straightaway was going about 50 when it T-boned me from the rear end, spun me 180 degrees. And this is a car with no airbags of any kind.

Result, the woman's car was totaled completely from the front, and my car only suffered a big dent in the back door and dislodged the fuel pump (shows how solid older cars were built compared to today's cars). Her insurance company paid for my damages. Lots of stupid Houston drivers, but unfortunately drivers like them are everywhere.

Anyway, hope all works out well with the insurance and will be able to cover all your costs. I hope I don't experience an accident like that when I get my Prius soon, but I am glad to know that the car does well in accident situations like that. Makes me safer buying and driving one.

[sector99]

I was TBoned at 40MPH on the driver's door years back. Bruises, back problems and the photos secured the settlement swiftly and without much objection. Back still hurts.

[Bill Merchant]

I love my Prius too, so I know how bad you must feel that it got destroyed to save you. I'm pretty sure it will be totaled. I'm really glad you and your fiancé didn't get totaled!

Contrary to what Mr. Zorg said, Prius are in high demand and hold value VERY well. A recent thread recounted how a side-swiped Prius was totaled and the other party's insurance paid MORE than the original purchase price of the car. If dealers can still demand a premium over MSRP, and some do, there is no rapid depreciation in replacement value. But he was right, get a lawer if the other side balks at replacing your car with a new one.

I'm glad you're still here to tell us your tale of woe...

[Prianista]

Good to hear that neither of you were seriously hurt.
You might ask your dealer for body shop recommendations, with luck some of them will also be on the insurance company's preferred list.
You might also check with your state's insurance regulator for the rules governing how the company is to value a total loss so that you'll be able to judge for yourself whether the insurance company is meeting its obligations.

[mr_zorg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Oct 9 2006, 10:36 PM) [snapback]330486[/snapback]</div>

Contrary to what Mr. Zorg said, Prius are in high demand and hold value VERY well. A recent thread recounted how a side-swiped Prius was totaled and the other party's insurance paid MORE than the original purchase price of the car.[/b]

I was speaking about the depreciated value of a < 1 year old car in general. I'm glad to hear that may not be the case here (I'm new to the Prius scene), I wasn't factoring in the current hybrid craze.

[Inthewind]

A couple of things about insurance claims and totaling vehicles:

1. If you weren't at fault, the other insurance company should pick up the complete tab for replacement. If not, there's always the legal avenue. There is plenty out there on the web that will explain what your rights are concerning this.

2. Insurance companies total cars based on a specific formula. What is a total loss?
Most insurance companies consider a vehicle a total loss when:
Damage to the vehicle is so severe that it cannot be repaired safely, or
repairing the vehicle is not economically practical (Economically practical includes vehicle worth at time of accident, cost for repairs, rental car costs during repairs, etc.), or
state regulations require it totaled based on the amount of damage the vehicle sustained in the accident.
When a vehicle is considered a total loss, most insurance companies will:
Pay the actual cash value of the vehicle (Depreciated value) (plus applicable state fees and taxes) less any deductible. (This is not what you owe!)

3. How do insurance companies determine the value of your vehicle?
They examine the sale prices of similar vehicles in your local area (unless state law requires otherwise). They consider the pre-accident condition of your vehicle, including mileage, options and any damage not caused by the accident. The result of this process is the actual cash value of the vehicle.

So, if you're upside down in the vehicle, meaning you owe more then it's worth, AND you don't have GAP coverage, you're out what ever the difference is.

However, going back to #1, if you weren't at fault, then press the responsible parties insurance company to replace your car with a new one or pay total loan value. This may mean getting a lawyer on your side, but most people can go on-line and do some research on demand letters etc. to where they woun't have to employ one. Personally, I'd go for the replacement vehicle since yours was a 2006.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

P.S.
My advice would be to make sure you get every scratch, ache and pain caused by the accident documented by a physician. Keep records and do NOT sign any releases handed to you from the responsible parties insurance company.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, so take this advice at your own risk!