Sadly, my 2009 Taco is no more. We were hit from behind by someone who rolled over, and it caused us to spin into a concrete barrier. Thankfully, we’re okay, but it’s a real blow to say goodbye to my truck. I’m holding out hope that the insurance company will give it a fair valuation, but it’s tough to see it go like this.
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That’s tough. It had a worthy end, doing its job and keeping you safe. Farewell to your Taco, may it find its place in Taco Valhalla.
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Don’t settle for the insurance company’s first or second offer. For the third one, it really depends on the situation.
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How can someone push for a higher insurance payout? I’ve never dealt with a total loss like this before. I’d like to understand the steps to take after an accident, just in case.
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Make sure to gather your own comparison data, not just rely on KBB. Look for local prices of used Tacomas that are as similar to yours as possible. Ideally, you should be able to use this information to buy your truck back.
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Thank you for this information. I hope others find it useful too. It’s good to know.
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From my experience (we’ve had two accidents in the family, and the most recent was mine), the best approach is to look for dealer ads of vehicles that match the make and model of yours. Focus on ones from within two years of your vehicle’s model year, with similar trim levels/packages and mileage.
Take note of the prices, capture screenshots, and send them to the insurance company when you’re making your counteroffer.
For instance, my Jeep had about $7,000 left on the loan, but I ended up getting nearly $16,000 for it. It was 9 years old, I had paid $18,000 for it almost 5 years before the accident, and it certainly wasn’t in perfect condition when it was totaled.
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Yeah, I purchased a Chrysler 300 privately for $10,000 and drove it for 5 years. I put 100,000 kilometers on it, and when it was totaled, I got back the same $10,000.
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This is really helpful information. I wouldn’t have known about this otherwise. I think a lot of people are unsure about what steps to take after an accident. Thanks for sharing.