Big Question

Good luck with that - I doubt they will total it without extensive, major structural damage, and I think only the roof would qualify in your case (everything else is cosmetic). If the car is still worth more than $20k, then the insurance co will be more willing to spend $19,999 to repair than to total it - and you may be surprised what they can fix with $19,999.

re: '09 vs '10, I don't think they've been out long enough to know how reliable they will be in the long run, especially "current" '10s vs "more recent" ones. It's possible the reports of more issues in the '10s is mainly related to the braking issue.

 

Take it step by step.

It is correct that you need confirmation of what is going to happen with your vehicle first.

Then you can decide.

Very simply 09's are generation 2, so they have a more established history. Obviously, 10's are the new generation with several mechanical and cosmetic changes. I think it's a fallacy to assume they are going to require "more trips to the doctor". They might long term require less. They have a beltless engine and no gas bladder. Only time will really tell.

The brake software update isn't what I would consider a "reliability" issue. The one's coming off the assembly line already have the change in place.

 

I don't think that's true. It's a percentage of the value and it's not that high. Doesn't take much to total it.

Except for the first model year bugs such as blurry A/C display (for which there are TSBs), it's been virtually trouble free.

 

I've never heard of hail that could destroy a car. Oklahoma must be different.

 

My grandfather had a almost new Honda Accord that got full length side swiped by a truck. Dented almost every panel along the side and made the drivers side doors inoperable. BUT the auto was in every other respect fine.

The Insurance totalled it, just based on the extreme cost of all the cosmetic bodywork it would of needed. He took the settlement. I remember because I wanted the Accord at the time. It would of looked like hell...but was basicly a new car. I was young enough where I thought it would of actually been "cool" a pre-disasterized car...that was almost new inside.

Recently, extremely unfortunately I had a very slight rear end collision in my new Honda Fit. There is very light cosmetic damage to the bumper. $600 dollars plus to fix.

Body work is spendy. It's not beyond the realm of belief to think it would be totaled.

Hmm...wonder if I could pick up a pre-disasterized Prius on the cheap?

 

I'm in Texas and we've definitely had some massive hail storms with baseball sized hail. They will tear up a car pretty good. BUT - I bet they could replace the glass and every body panel on a 2009 and still be ahead since there is no structural damage or anything mechanically wrong.

 

Good point that the body work could be expensive - probably depends how much needs to be done. My only point was that a relatively new car has a lot of book value, so cost to repair can be quite high before it exceeds that.

 

So, here's my big answer: if it's totaled, replaces it with a 10 (if you can afford it)
It is a new car but with a 10 years experiment : technically more powerful and ecological for n less consumption. Sometimes P3 can prove to be a bomb on the road: more powerful, more nervous.

 

My Gen2 had ABS failure under warranty. My Gen3 had a stuck shifter. IMO the media attention over the Prius is BS.

If you are thrilled with the '09 you may not be as happy with the '10.

 

At this point, I can't see how anyone can say that an 2009 is more reliable than a 2010 or vice versa, there just isn't enough data. If you have it in your head that the last year of the Gen II's are more reliable and will take less trips to the doctor, then definitely buy a 2009.

 

What's reliable anymore? Almost any car today from KIA to Bently will be vastly more reliable than cars were just 10 years ago...You should really just go with your gut and pick the car you want to be seen in for a while. Your only question should be "Cheese Wedge or Trigger fish on wheels?"

 

Now that you decided, start shopping. At www.aaa.com you can build a car & get pricing. Also start looking around for 2009 prices. If the car isn't going to be fixed you won't lose any time & have an idea if you are being offered a fair price.