Do You Think My Prius is Totaled?

Surprisingly, my insurance company is having it towed to a Toyota Dealer with a collision center.

 

I was VERY impressed by the way the Prius held up in the accident. It was a pretty hard hit but the Prius actually seemed to take less physical damage than the Caprice (not dollar wise). It could have been much worse.

What shocked me was that they were willing to tow it to a Toyota Collision Center. We all know that dealership body shops are the most expensive shops around. I was expecting them to want me to take it Abra or Macco type place but the adjuster asked me if I knew where the closest Toyota Dealership with a Body Shop was.

I am of mixed decision on hoping for a totaled verdict. I truly love my car. I've only owned it six months. I won't make anything on it but I do have GAP insurance so I won't wind up still in debt. But it my region used Prii are difficult to find.

Heyward Allen Toyota, the closest to me has three used Prii on the lot. All three are 2010. Two of them are II models and one a III. The closest dealership the other way, has ZERO used Prius. The Toyota dealership that will be doing the estimate has only two. A 2005 and a 2010 model II. Selection is very lean down here.

 

Since the two cars have very little value difference, I really don't want to focus on my misidentification of the vehicles trim level but rather whether this thing is totaled. Since there are so few used Prius available for sale in my market, I will most likely have to go to a Generation III. Maybe a new one, if totaled.

Hopefully today, I can manage to get police department release required for the tow company to hand it over to my insurance company. It seems all vehicles towed at the behest of Clayton County Police have to have a signed release from that department.

My insurance company's website states that in accord with Georgia law, I can have the vehicle repaired at any shop that I desire. I do feel better that it is being at least appraised at a Toyota Dealer. I think that a Toyota body shop will have a better grasp on the hybrid system in this car than just any old body shop.

 

The car is at Toyota South in Forest Park now. The shop says that they've seen Prius in worse condition repaired. The insurance adjuster does the actual estimate and determination if it is cost effective to fix it. He has asked the body shop to do a "tear down" before he does he estimate. He says that he wants to clearly see that right side. Hopefully, this will be done tomorrow. I'm sure they don't want this tying up the repair bay too long.

Having seen the damage up close without all the adrenaline, I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the Toyota Prius. That was a pretty solid hit. It was a pretty high hit and a glancing blow to the front. The Chevrolet Caprice's bumper must have been pretty high when I struck it.

 

It's official. I'm searching for another Prius. The Geico adjuster made the determination that it is totaled. Apparently, there was over $15k in damage because there was damage to the hybrid system. Luckily, I still have my 2000 Honda Insight for right now until I can find the Prius that I want. Most likely it will be a 2010+. There just aren't many second generation ones around my area.

 

Some additional pictures. Toyota South body shop tore it down to get a closer look. My phone is already ringing off the hook with other Toyota dealers wanting to sell me another one. I'm waiting until the insurance claims are all finished on this one first. I think, I may wait until next year when the Plug In Prius is available in Georgia. But I'm not committed, yet.

 

Thanks but I hardly think that is true. As soon as I can get all the insurance issues done with the 08 Prius I'll start working on getting the next Prius. I've got a rental from Enterprise now. Not like I really needed a rental but since it was included.