Fair Market Value from totaled 05 Prius

I'm very sorry to hear of your wife's crash, but I'm glad she's OK. As an engineer, I must ask the obvious (for me) question...

Do you have pictures?

I'm interested in crash safety and have seen one other head-on Prius picture (highway speed, here in Washington). From that picture alone, I knew that I was gladd that a Prius is what my wife and I would be in if something similar happened.

Thanks for sharing your story!

 

Very sorry to hear about your ordel also. Basically since it was totally the other person's fault I would say you are intitled to a brand new Prius period, Mayyyybe minus so many cents a mile for the mileage on yours. I would tell the insurance company that if that don't replace your Prius with a NEW one that they can negotiate it with your lawyer, and that by the way I'm sure the lawyer will want to have your wife re-examined and wait awhile before settling to make sure she doesn't have any other injuries that take time to make themselves known. Then go get yourself a GOOD lawyer!

 

JAX53, Are you dealing with your insurance company or the other drivers? Your insurance company should negotiate with the other company in your interest. In any case don't sign a release on the possible injuries for at least 6 months and be sure to get a lawyer if they don't give you a better offer.

 

FMV is what it will cost to replace your vehicle, in the shape it was in before your accident.

Call dealers in your area, and get prices. Since we both know that you will not find used Prius for sale with only a couple of thousand miles on the odometer, a new car will likely be the closest comparison vehicle. You may wish to check out dealers that are known to demand markups for immediate availability when listing your comps.

It is tempting to treat Insurance companies with the same contempt they often show customers by playing the PI game, but that is up to you and your conscience. It is however true that soft tissue injuries sometimes take weeks to become apparent, so do NOT sign any waiver of future demands until you are quite sure no medical problems are going to surface.

If the insurance company does not pay for your rental while things are being sorted out, treat them in kind.

 

Well, I had a similar experience a while back. In fact, it has echoes of the current Prius situation.

in 1979 I had a 78 Rabbit Diesel stolen. Now if you'll remember, there was a gas crisis then too, and the Rabbit Diesel was the Prius of it's day. I could get 55 mpg highway without breaking a sweat. In fact they were so desired that they were being intenionally stolen all over the place.

The insurance company tried to lowball me. I said fine, if you think it can be replaced for that, you replace it. I want one the same color and options with the same or less mileage. Have at it, and let me know when you have it.

They wound up giving me $1K more than I paid for it in cash.

 

How awful, but I'm glad there were no serious injuries. It's a good thing your wife was wearing her seat belt.

 

If you plan on replacing your car within the next two weeks you can probably get a new 2005 pkg#6 for a lot less than what you paid 4 months ago. Dealers here in PA are discounting substantially off of MSRP to get rid of them to make room for the 2006's.

I would suggest you call a few dealers and see if they have any leftovers where they can cut you a deal and will hold it while you negotiate with the insurance company. I just negotiated a 2005 pkg #6 for $26k plus tax and tags. Cash outlay will be $28K. With rebates and tax credits it will cost me just under $24K.

Now suppose the dealer can get you a 2005 pkg #6 for $26K plus tax and tags. Counter the insurance offer at $26K (don't mention the tax credit) and tell them you are still out $2K in order to replace your car. They may bring up their offer just to settle quickly. You buy a new 2005, take the tax credit next year and you should come out ahead on the deal.

Springtime

PS Sorry you had an accident, but, glad your spouse is doing OK.

 

If the other driver is convicted of reckless driving, is it possible that his sentence will involve some kind of restitution? My car was hit by a hit-and-run driver years ago in California, and he had to reimburse me for my insurance deductable and other costs not covered by insurance (part of the cost of renting a car while mine was being fixed, plus a couple small medical bills) as part of his probation.

 

Holy Cow, Jax! Go get 'em..... Lemme know if'n there's anything we can do to help - us Floridians gotta stick together.......

 

glad to hear your wife is ok and i totally identify with her sorrow at seeing her beloved Prius damaged. i think its human nature to feel pain when a loved one sacrifices themselves to protect you...and yes its common to see this transfered to vehicles and pets.

as far as the insurance company...dont get me started. they are nothing but crooks. you think you got it bad? try talking to homeowners in CA when they were screwed out of 2 TRILLION dollars in earthquake damage claims...

i have heard about several crashes involving Priuses but few (actually dont specifically remember any) serious injuries. there was a truck trailer (RV type) that crossed the center line at 70 mph and flipped on its side and a Prius was the first to hit it. the 3 passengers all escaped with minor injuries. the 3 people in the ford that hit the trailer next were all killed.

i have to agree with your wife that you need to replace your Prius with another...i wouldnt trust my family in just any car. the safety ratings and awards the Prius has been awarded are well earned.

 

Hi Jax53, I am horrified to hear about your wife's accident. It sounds so terrible. The most important thing of all is that you still have a healthy wife to hug. I am so glad she is OK. Do your best to make a fair deal with your insurance, but don't forget how much more tragic this could have turned out. Cars can be replaced. Money can be earned. People cannot be replaced. Count your blessings, your family came out on top.

I am becoming more convinced that the Prius is amazingly safe for its size. Thanks for sharing with us, and keep us up to date.

I am also interested in seeing pictures of the car. I am curious to see how it held up in such a severe accident.

Take care.

 

Dear Jax53 and Other Prius Owners,

Sadly I just had a similar situation happen to me at about my year anniversary
of getting my beloved '05, Option #6, Silver Streak. I was driving home on a major street with
five lanes across during primetime traffic and was in the right most lane. A car decided to cut across the major street using a small residential street and gunned it across all five lanes. An SUV was to my left so I didn't see it until it was right in front of me and it was too late. My front of my car crumpled and both front airbags went off. Luckily everyone was able to get out of their cars, but I was badly bruised and have a cut on my neck where the seatbelt was. I believe my Prius truly saved me!

So we are in the process of going through the whole after a major accident thing. I was hoping Jax53 and others who have had to go through this might be able to offer advice. So far they claim it can be repaired. It has been towed to a Toyota dealership we specified. It is both Toyota and AAA certified so it is supposed to be reputable. We hope to get additional quotes from two other body shops. The insurance guess the overall cost will be around $10,000 after looking at it initially but not looking under it or seeing a teardown (where they take off the front damaged parts). I'm skeptical. Do you think it is really possible to return it to like new condition? How can we protect ourselves and make sure we get the best results?

Also in terms of medical stuff, does anyone know the pros/cons of filing directly through your car insurance versus using your medical insurance?

I appreciate all your help.

Best,
CrazyGirrl

 

wow sorry to hear about your Prius.

have you checked out the bill nye site?? he is gathering testimonials from hybrid owners. there is a guy from Ca. who was in a wreck with his Prius. had it repaired and he says its good as new...

unfortunately, there is no garanttese in life and repaired vehicles seem to be one of the biggest crap shoots. good luck in your decision.

 

Dear Dave,

Thanks for the reply, sympathy, and suggestion. No I haven't. Are you talking and the one and
only Bill Nye the Science Guy site? Please confirm the website address.

Also what decision are you referring to? Which place to get it repaired? Most likely we will go with the place we had it towed. We have a friend who used to own a body shop who had good things to say about it and it is an authorized Toyota Collision Center, but do you have any other thoughts about what to look for, consider when choosing?

 

yep its him the science guy. if you go to

http://www.hybridcenter.org/owners/bill-nye.html

sort by state california and type of car Prius gen 2 (actually should be III but thats another topic)

check out Ken Funk. his car was wrecked and he did ok.

but i think you need to show the car to someone you can trust. only a visual inspection will do. have your body repair friend talk to the guy doing the repair and get his take on it. if i was in your position, i would bank on his word.

i am surprised that with both front air bags, that your repair estimate is that low. seems to me, i read that fixing the driver air bag was like $2500 alone.

 

I think , and this may have changed, medical claims have to go to the car insurance first, at least thats how it was when I was hit many years ago.