What should I do? (My dad wants it totaled I want it fixed.)

Hello, this is my 1st Tacoma, I have had it for 1 year. Some old lady ran a stop sign and I T-boned her. It was ruled that it was not my fault. I want to just have it repaired, my dad wants me to have it totaled. I need some advise.
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Unless you are an insurance adjuster, I don't think you are in charge of having a vehicle totaled. Unless the frame is bent, I doubt it would be deemed totaled.

 

1) it’s up to the ins carrier to total or not.
2) if you actually own the truck it’s your call what to do with the truck
3) if you are living under dads roof and are dependent on dad then it’s his call.

 

Call your insurance adjuster and see what he says. It could go either way depending on the damage. You don't want to get it fixed if it has too much damage to the point will have lasting issues from the accident. If I were given a choice of whether to total it or not from the adjuster, I would choose to total it. It's hard to tell how much damage there is just from your pic.

My last truck was T-boned and there was so much damage I knew it wouldn't be the same if they fixed it. He told me he could work the numbers either way to have it fixed or totaled and I don't regret having it totaled.

 

not enough info. but it really shouldn't be up to you or your dad. it should be up to your insurance company.

airbag deployment? what's the cost in parts and labor to repair it? many insurance carriers go by 85% of the current vehicle valuation, though some states allow as low as 10% depending on the situation.

if the airbags went off, it's almost always totalled due specifically to the impact requirements that set off the airbags, and how that kind of severe impact affects the vehicle structure. also, insurance companies signing off on any repair work makes them liable. typically they're not willing to accept the liability for putting a vehicle back on the road after an airbag deployment because of the previously-mentioned structural issues that could be present, but not easily visible during the repair process.

 

I bought and own the truck. I know it's up to the insurance (I have full coverage and was not @ fault).

 

The old man is right - pray that they total it. I had a similar accident and the car was on the edge of being totaled. I fought with the insurance company to have them fix it, I was/am a fucking idiot. I should have fought to have them total it. The car was never the same, it took weeks to get it out of the shop, plus it now had an accident on the title. That accident will come back to haunt you when you sell it in the future. I guess you could sue for diminished value. Don't know what that involves. If that were mine I push to have it totaled, take the payout, buy a similar unwrecked truck and move on with my life.

 

IMO if you could get it totaled you'd probably be better off. An accident on the Carfax will haunt you forever.

 

100% agree with these guys. Assuming you can get a good payout which will fully fund an equal replacement then you're always better off totaling it and getting a new vehicle. A repair will never match factory quality and your insurance company will likely not cover OEM replacement parts. Any repair, even for something small will technically devalue the vehicle so unless you're getting an adjustment for diminished value then you're automatically going to lose out. How much is situationally dependent.

 

They're going to total it and give 40,000$. Is this a win?

 

If that's enough to buy a suitable replacement, then YES. Take the money and be glad you don't have to deal with repairs or diminished value.

Also, in case you can't find a suitable replacement for that budget you can try to get more $. I had my car totaled and the comps they found were terrible and they were undervaluing my vehicle. It took a little time and work on my end but I was able to get a couple thousand extra after I collected better comps.

 

It’s a win. Pay off what you owe and get what ever truck you want (and can afford)

 

Yes it is a win. You just avoided any headaches with repair and you will have a clean slate to start over with a new vehicle. The adjuster has done you a favor.

What're you going to buy next?

 

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/339682/Take+the+Money+and+Run

 

Is it premium or non premium package? I would look to see what your truck would cost on the pre-owned market and try to get more. Worse they can say is no.

 

Fortunately, I bought it in it's totality. So I don't owe anyone anything. I'll probably get another Tacoma. That was my 1st, and they're no word to describe how much pride, joy, and love I got from having the pleasure and privilege of owning it. It saved my life and my younger brother's life. I'd like to get another. Have you all seen the new Trailhunter?