Does my prius looked totaled?

I just re-read, I think you only get a diminished value check if someone else crashes in to your car and you are not at fault right? you cant crash your own car then ask your insurance for diminished value.

 

Not an expert by any means, but I believe you are much more likely to get this kind of compensation when the other party is at fault. Their insurance company knows that you have the right to sue the person at fault for pretty much any damages you think you can justify. They know that this is probably a pretty easy one to argue effectively should it go to court, so they are pretty likely to just pay it if its asked for. I suspect the main differences in states that don't have this specifically in law is that they are not going to offer it unless you ask in states that don't require it. There may be states that you can't get it, but I'd be surprised.

 

this sounds right to me.

 

Greetings.

First thing first....You got whammed on Sat. How are you feeling today?? Even if you're just a little sore, you should get checked out by a doc to make sure that your frame wasn't bent. The car? That will come.....
Save any paperwork if the accident wasn't your fault.

# next..... Insurance absolutely does pay for diminished value...even on the left coast, unless you're in one of those goofy "no-fault" states. (You're not!) It's called Property Damage.
I'm presuming that the accident is pretty much the other driver's fault, and they had insurance. Congratulate yourself now for not being one of those morons who smoke out their brake lights.

This means that in a fair and just world, their insurance company should make you whole....or compensate you for the incident.
Of course......their insurance company will in no way agree with this, since they think that their job is to make a profit for their investors.
This is why there is a very good chance that when you pick up a local phone book for your city?
You'll see a sniveling, weasely, money-grubbing attorney's add on the cover promising you a fat check.

You don't need to call the attorney of course, but you are entitled to a repair by a reputable body shop (ask your dealer who they use) and you're entitled to demand OEM parts. Get 3-4 estimates from different body shops. YOU are entitled to direct who fixes YOUR car....within reason of course.
I don't use the "E" word very often, but this is a rare case where it is warranted.
That black paint is going to be tough to match, and in a few years it's going to be visually obvious that this car has been wrecked.
It's already obvious in cyber-space, and NOBODY wants to buy a gently-wrecked car when there are zillions of non-wrecked ones out there.

That's why you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
If you can't negotiate?
THEN you litigate.

 

"who smoke out their brake lights"??

 

Toyota did that from 2004 to 2005.

 

I dont know why you think back paint is hard to match? I work in autobody and its hands down the easiest color match

 

Op sell me your taillights

 

What about the visible buckling in both rear quarter panels?

 

I also many times say to use some wax and elbow grease and buff out the damage.....

It's not a realistic estimate, just stating it's not totaled.

 

Ouch. I doubt it's a total loss.


iPad ?

 

I agree. My daughter had a similar encounter while driving anHonda Fit last year. From a distance it looked minor and easily repairable. She drove the car to the body shop. The shop put laser sights on the car and found almost no body panels were in alignment any longer. I saw photos of the car with red reference marks on multiple points illustrating the mis-alignment. It was totaled. Broke her heart ! But then.... Now she has a Prius C !

John

 

As you'll be aware, any car can be repaired, but whether it's cost effective is another matter.

Over here, on anything other than a new or almost new car if there is any structural damage they'll write the car off. Same with any airbags having deployed. Just not worth the hassle. A car that badly damaged will always have problems in the future and the insurers will have hassle of repair warranty claims. Most insurers give 5 year warranties for the repair.

Easier to pay out or replace the car and then sell the smashed vehicle for parts. This seems to be especially so for hybrid and EVs. There are strict rules here to ensure the damaged car doesn't find its way back onto the road.

I guess something very similar happens your way.

 

How does one try to get reimbursed for diminished value? I tried a while back when I was involved in a collision that was not my fault. I don't remember, but it seemed like it was more of a hassle to get this money and I gave up on it.

 

"diminished value" return is not universal. California and the insurance companies don't pay out on Diminished value claims. you will need to sue the other party. You might be able to talk your insurance company into totaling out the car if a "total loss" and a major repair or close to each other price wise saying that once fixed the car will never be the same, it will show up on carfax and you will need to disclose that to the next buyer, thus lowering the value of the car. so the argument hinges around Diminished value and you would prefer that they total out your car and buy you a new one. Better deal for you... Motorcycles whenever they get into an accident even a minor one are typically a total loss. The insurance company doesn't want the liability down the road in the event that something happens.
dimi