Totaled in hit and run, any tips for insurance?

First off, I'm happy to hear that your wife was not injured in this. Hopefully she gets over her anxious nerves quickly!

I don't have any ideas on where to get a replacement. I will say however I'm really impressed how well a stopped Prius did when getting rear-ended by a 5,000lb truck. The entire compartment looks intact.

Mike

 

shotgun+calling all the auto repair places in the area asking if a nervous driver dropped off an f-150 that looked like it got in a front end crash.

glad your wife was ok

 

take a look at this thread on ideas on getting a replacement
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/49060-my-car-toast-but-im-alive.html#post643191

 

Expensive cigarettes! Hazardous to your wife, and her Prius. Good luck.

 

Poor Prius, but glad your wife is OK.
That F150 won't be hiding for long if the Police you reported the incident to put it on the wire, it'll be a matter of time.

Still....looks like us, the Prius Owners, always on the disadvantage-side in whatever accidents, fault or no fault. The 'actual' replacement cost of the Prius is just too high (including long wait-time) regardless of insurance coverage.

 

You might get some useful info from this thread too. http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...totaled-now-fighting-insurance-need-help.html

Call around to every dealer you can find, be sure to tell them you are replacing a totalled Prius, that may get some sympathy. (I don't know if it helped me, but I was eventually able to get a new 08 Touring package 6, (what I was looking for) with a 1 week wait.

 

Did you file a police report? what did the police say?

 

Maybe your Insurance Co could fast-track the wait list situation, as part of the negotiation process. Can't hurt to ask.

 

I am glad your wife is alright. I am sorry for your loss, but it's just a car, it can be easily replaced.

 

ECHASE - condolences on your prius, glad to hear your wife is ok.

now, my 2 cents to your worries - usually, from what i hear, the insurance companies do an average of 3-4 vehicles of your year for sale in order to determine value. over here in so-cal, i've heard of 2006 and 2007's to be in UPWARDS OF $25,000. i can see how this can all get complicated. everytime i drive, i also worry about someone slamming into me and totalling my car too.

here's the bottom line, we have an incredible amount of dealers/people asking the sun,sky,moon and stars for the prius. i'm curious to see what value your adjuster comes to.

goodluck and please post here what happens.

 

search yahoo autos for used prii with similar mileage and age to your totalled one.
bring a few printouts to your insurance agent to help build your case on replacement value. print off a few ebay completed auctions. show your insurance company what used ones are really selling for.

sure glad you DW is ok - looks like the rear of the prius did its job in adsorbing the impact energy.

side note, i'm wondering if the insurance companies search auto body repair shops in situations like this, trying to find the other party.

 

Providing them with documentation is the best solution. Most policies state that you will be paid to repair your vehicle or the "actual cash value" in the event of a total loss. The insurance company's duty is to "indemnify" you or put another way, put you in a similar position that you were in prior to the accident. Since they cannot give you the exact car, the vehicle is a cash settlement offer. The key is finding out what "actual cash value" is. It will vary from state to state, depending on your state laws. Most carriers and court systems recognize NADA as the most accurate means to determine this value. Most cars depreciate when they are driven off of the lot, the Prius is actually (is some cases) appreciating given the gas costs and demand.

So pulling the NADA for a vehicle in high demand is not always accurate. Do some research and provide it to them. Remember, everyone has a boss and most states have a state coproration commision for insurance department compaints. Lawyers or threat of lawyers really does nothing. Most attys do not want to take a property damage only case, unless there is a companion injury claim. (they make thier money on the injury claim).

Best of luck

 

An 06 package one for $22, 585 sounds like a fair settlement. Does that payoff what you owe? That's probably not much less than you paid for it two years ago, is it? Don't forget to get your sharkfin back!! Heck, you could probably sell that on here for $50. That $500 doc fee sounds like a way for them to get you for a few more $$. It might be negotiable if you play hardball with them. Good luck.....

 

I'm glad your wife was in a properly designed car and not a truck where she may have been hurt, might be someones way of saying it's time to chuck in the fags. The great Spaghetti Monster works in mysterious ways.

At least you have insurance, I always say people should ask a local crash repairer which insurance company is the best then insure with them. Crash repairers deal with these people every day, they know the drill.

I have an agreed value insurance policy where the agreed value is slightly more than I paid for my Prius.

Hey this accident provides good evidence for the introduction of a minimum front bumper height regulation.