Accident- Boy am I thankful for my prius!

Make sure they are replacing parts with oem. Not aftermarket.

XT1053 ? 2

 

Depending on your insurance, used parts may be all they'll spring for, for at least some areas, suspension components for example. It's not the end of the world, but worth finding out in advance.

 

Most insurance companies ask if you want toyota new replacement policy. I took the later. I also had a $5500.00 accident that required used parts. Car looks new as it was all under carriage damage. H

 

State Farm has been notorious for putting on aftermarket parts and has been in lawsuits concerning that. I was insured with them for 50 years but changed to USAA for different reasons. I have never had a bad accident, therefore, I have no personal experience with that. Do you know if you can demand and get genuine Toyota replacement parts as a result of an accident?

 

^ Probably, if you're willing to pay the difference. I can think of one case where I wish I had: got a replacement front strut assembly that look pretty knackered, out of the snow belt. It worked tho.

 

$3k is the appraisal?

That's surprising low.
Body Work and Paint is so expensive. It really adds up.
I had the most minimal damage you could imagine with just the front bumper and when all was said and done it approached 1K.

My concern with an estimate that low would be are they using OEM parts?

You want the work done, and you want it done right.

Best of luck with everything, I'm just surprised anyone could repair that damage for so cheaply.

 

In BC we have (pretty much) a single, crown corporation insurer, and there are body shops authorized to do the appraisal. They're even given license to bump the amount, if they discover additional damage as the work progresses. It's a system based on trust, the body shops earn accreditation by doing good work for fair price. I've never heard of a backlash from the insurer with our usual shop, or at least it's behind the scenes, I'm not aware of it.

I'm wondering too, in the OP's case, if this is the insurer's appraisal, and a battle with the body shop is brewing.

 

How long will the repair take. Any indication? Do they have courtesy cars. Good luck. H

 

Glad to hear you're okay! These cars are tough little cars. My first car, an early first generation Prius (2001) Prius was totaled in July of 2010, I flipped it when the car lost control and went into a ditch at 50 MPH. The tow truck came and turned it over on it's wheels again, and it started and drove onto the flatbed. It was towed to our farm where it sat for about two weeks before selling it. While it sat though, I went and started it a few times and drove it around the farm, it's amazing how well these cars are built and how they hold up!

P.S. (Yes, I used to have long hair -.-) haha