Well got into an accident with my 2010 PKG 5 with ATP. It has mostly front passenger side damage. Are there any others out there that have had a front impact accident in a V? As the guy I hit went thru a stop sign :frusty::frusty:, the other guys insurance company is taking full resposibility for the accident. I will be using there facility (possibly) for the repair. I have 2 concerns: The radar unit does not appear to be damage, but does appear to be mis alligned. I would assume that this would have to be done at a toyota dealership, since I doubt any body shop has experience with this type of repair. LED headlight was knocked out of wack (bracket broken) but is still functioning. Is there anything with the LED lights that I should be aware of if they replace the broken light? Waiting to get my estimate done. Thanks to all who respond. Scott
Sorry to hear about the accident - I hope no one was injured. Realigning the DRCC shouldn't be a big deal for the body shop or your dealer. There's a tool they can use to get it close to alignment and then fine-tune it with the Techstream. Watch for cracks in the housing of the headlamp. The LED's also adjust up and down and moisture can damage whatever mechanism is used to do that. Make sure the Parking Assist is working when you pick it up from being repaired. There are others on the forum that have had issues with it after collision. Be sure you're comfortable with the body shop. Ask for recommendations from friends or coworkers. Be sure they can handle repairing a technically complex vehicle like your V. Good luck. I hope everything turns out prefectly for you!
Sorry about that. I've heard to insist on OEM, Toyota parts and no aftermarket parts. You'd be amazed at how aftermarket parts can be screwed up. Bought a Renthal (well known name) sprocket, the spec'd one for my Yamaha FZ1 ... totally did not work. No way the safety clip would have stayed on. Defective part. OEM parts only for me.
I'd go through your own insurance company and have them pursue the other party for damages after all is said and done. Good insurance companies have recommended facilities that warrant all repair work for the life of the car. Get the LED headlight replaced. You may not be able to detect a potentially split seal with the naked eyes and it'd take time for moisture build-up to occur, long after your car leaves the body shop. I had one replaced under warranty for split seal (nothing to do with an accident though) and it's $800 a pop. The radar unit (behind the emblem) is also expensive at $900. They need to make sure it's not actually damaged. I've had my front bumper taken off for a minor repair and a competent body shop should be able to put everything back in correctly. Do make sure park assist and all the ATP features work before you leave the shop.
Make sure the insurance company understands that the body shop may not be able to realign the DRCC properly, I have read the the procedure and it seems fairly complex and requires Techstream. LED headlight should be replaced as mentioned above, aiming the headlights should not be a problem, they aim just like other types. Check the IPA sensor on the front fender, it may have been damaged. Also the 4 wheel alignment may need to be done by a dealer so the steering zero position sensor can be checked with Techstream. Good luck.
Be careful going directly through the other guy's insurance company. At a minimum, they will try to low ball you on the repairs including using aftermarket parts and a less than reputable shop. Worst case, they will claim the accident was not the other guy's fault and deny the claim (they can and will coerce him into making a false statement). Unless you have at least one witness or a police report says the guy ran the stop sign, you can almost expect them to deny it (unless the guy is honest). You'd be better off going to your insurance company and let them negotiate.
Insurance companies are not required to use OEM parts in repairs provided a aftermarket alternative is available. This is a legal practice. You may see terms like "Like Kind, Re-manufacturer, etc.,) in the repair estimate meaning they are aftermarket or used but refurbished parts. If a shop tells you they are using all OEM parts in the repair, I would ask for the final estimate and bill they sent to the insurance company for payment or you can ask the insurance adjuster for a copy of the final bill. Don't be surprise if it's different from the original estimate.
Two words: Diminished Value. See what Joisey does for this kind of claim. Your insurance company may provide some info for this type of claim---or maybe not. They're not all crooks, but their job is making money for their investors---NOT making you whole on the accident. Their insurnace company likely will not want to talk about it much. Your car was worth $ X a few milliseconds before the crash. Even if they do every repair perfectly, in laboratory conditions, and with better than OEM parts, your car is now worth $ Y. Guess what? Y<X. A lot less. Would you buy a previously wrecked G3 for the same price as a never-been-wrecked one? Diminished Value will cover that. Ask about it.
Insurance companies will fight like hell against diminished value, you'd need a good attorney to try and get that. "Maybe" your insurance company would try for it but it's doubtful.
^^^^^ Absolutely what the last two posts said, because of the person they covered, your auto will be worth less after repair, they owe you diminished value!!!
Thanks to all who responded. The other insuance company took all the fault. I am to there recommended shop, which I also know as a good shop. The LED light they are replacing, not sure they have the right part on it though? I have to double check the estimate. They are using some after market and some OEM parts as some parts are not available aftermarket. I should be brining it in to fixed next week. As far as dimishished value, I will see what they say to that. It would be good to get, but not that concerned as I usually run my cars to the end (have 93K on my 2010 now). Thanks again for all the advise! you guys rock! :rockon:
Sounds like a "reasonably" good experience so far. But don't let your guard down, all insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize claim payouts. You can try to use diminished value as a negotiating tactic to get OEM parts, but don't hold your breath.
Insist on 100% OEM parts. The aftermarket parts never quite fit right. More onerous: most body parts that are aluminum will have an aftermarket part made of steel. I would accept clips and fasteners that are aftermarket, but body panels and especially marker and headlights should be OEM. Aftermarket lights are garbage.
