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How much damage does it take to total loss a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by stemchick, Feb 9, 2011.

  1. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    I guess I really want someone to tell me they will repair it. My husband was turning this morning and a pickup decided to ignore his turn signal and attempt to pass. By the time the pickup realized my husband was turning it was too late and my Prius was the casualty! Can you guys give me your guess on whether my baby is totaled?

    I live in Rural MT, the accident happened at 9:30 and HP isn't even on scene yet, so who knows how long it'll be before we hear from insurance!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hope your husband is OK.

    If the front air bags deployed, then I would say it is likely the car will be totaled.
     
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  3. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    My hubby and our dog are both okay. he says they barely felt the impact. He was truly impressed with the Prius' safety. The airbags did not deploy at all. He said if he was holding a cup of coffee it wouldn't have spilt even though the pickup was traveling at approximately 70mph. He said it was just like the front of the car broke away.
     
  4. flareak

    flareak Fleet Captain

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    I see pink fluid.. Indicative of the transaxle being damaged perhaps. I hear that's quite an expensive repair just by itself. Doesn't seem like a front end collision as well, so probably why the airbags did not deploy.
     
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  5. jstraw20

    jstraw20 Member

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    Yikes! That hit is on the inverter side of the car. If that was damaged (looks like it might have been given that big puddle of coolant), that plus the body work probably totaled the car. I'm really sorry for your loss.
     
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  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    The front wheel doesn't look like it's turned rather canted at an angle. If so, that's definitely not good.
     
  7. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    Thanks guys. Not what I wanted to hear, but kinda what I figured. Now the fun part. Insurance Adjusters!
     
  8. Stormtrooper1

    Stormtrooper1 New Member

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  9. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    Hubby just finished with MHP and apparently they don't have to find someone at fault in MT. The other driver did get a ticket for improper passing and my hubby got nothing, but they wouldn't say who was at fault. I guess they expect the insurance companies to duke it out???? I just either want my Prius fixed or to be able to get a new one. I don't understand this at all.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think the rule of thumb is if the salvage value (how much a wrecker would pay for it) plus estimated cost of repairs is more than current value (what it would sell for on a used car lot), it's a write-off. Maybe someone else can comment, I'm a bit fuzzy on that.
     
  11. wmcbrine

    wmcbrine Junior Member

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    The insurance companies will make their own determination, but that's doesn't necessarily imply a fight. When I was rear-ended (leading to that car being totalled), the cops also declined to find fault -- I don't think they even issued a ticket. However, the other driver's insurance picked up the full tab with little hesitation.
     
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  12. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    It is possible only the hood ,fenders and bumper cover was damaged. The suspension does not appear to be damaged and there is no fluid on the road. It maybe just cosmetic? Hal
     
  13. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    Are we looking at the same picture? I believe that's the coolant "thermos" laying on the ground (in a puddle of coolant)...
     
  14. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Yes you are correct. I did not see that or the pink snow. SSSSh Hal
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks cosmetic.
     
  16. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    Here are some better pictures. Sorry if they are huge!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][IMGLINK]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/stemchick/181606_499703726375_525396375_6451819_3196632_n-1.jpg[/IMGLINK]
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, they're perfect, honest.
     
  18. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    The pink is probably because there doesn't appear to be a coolant heat recovery tank anymore... just gone along with it's pump etc... so the transaxle may still be ok. The tank etc will be a bit expensive but not tranny expensive. I also see you're now missing a trim ring so that makes it look a bit better :)
     
  19. Kutanks

    Kutanks Member

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    I just got my car back after being hit on around new years. I needed both driver side doors, new windows, new mirror, plus a new fender and quarter panel. total was 6g in damage but my car is an 04 with 85k and laoded, gps, cd changer, jbl. If it was a base model with over 100k it would have been totaled
     
  20. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    It's expensive enough, $1150 MSRP for the tank assembly and valve. Most front-end Prius collisions involving the tank are total losses -- at least, not very many front-end damaged Prius show up at insurance auctions with an intact tank.