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Prius nearly totaled

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by CLJohnson72, Mar 21, 2008.

  1. CLJohnson72

    CLJohnson72 New Member

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    Hello, Everyone.

    I am wondering if anyone can lend some insight into a situation that I am in.

    Last week my 2006 prius was rear-ended and suffered pretty bad damage. Everyone is OK and that's the main thing.

    The collision shop is telling me that they can repair it for 13,500 dollars. I was hoping that they would consider it a total loss as I would rather avoid the problems associated with having a car that was repaired after being nearly totaled in an accident from being rear-ended at 55mph...

    Do you know if there are any special risks involved considering the special components in the Prius?

    I appreciate any insight that anyone can offer.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Prius 07

    Prius 07 Member

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    Sorry that you got in an accident but glad there wasn't any personal injury. What is your insurance company say about fix / replace? If the insurance company recommends scrapping it how much are they offering for it? You may want to evaluate those option based on the financial options asa well as the risk of what you end up with if repaired.
    Good luck,
    Gabe
     
  3. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

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    You were hit at 55mph and it *only* did $13,500 damage? wow.

    great little car!
     
  4. saminjax

    saminjax Member

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    So sorry to hear about your car. How heartbreaking! :( Glad you are okay, though - like you said, that is the most important thing. I agree that you should bounce these questions off of your insurance adjuster, if you haven't already. Maybe they can offer some insight in weighing your options and determining your best course of action.
     
  5. siliconhybrid

    siliconhybrid Member

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    I had my accident last year. Cost of repair = $15K. The car was only 6 month old. My Insurance is AAA, they have policy if the repair cost is more than 50%, it is automatically a totaled car. How much is your car's worth? (see blue book?)

    You want to get the best possible car repair shop. Get comparison for more than 1 shops. Don't settle with fixing the "outside", but also the inside like the frame/chassis mis-aligned, battery (is it damaged?),

    Linky to my last year accident case.
     
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The traction battery needs to be pulled to prevent damage when baking the paint.
     
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    What is your source for this assertion?
     
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Reading through countless posts here.
     
  9. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

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    do you have pictures of the damage?

    im sure the car will drive normally once the shop lines the frame up correctly, and does perfect wheel alignment, i mean if the insurance is paying for everything it should be a great fix.

    should be, but then again i could be wrong.


    my 01 prius was in a severe collision, frame was damaged in the front, the electric motor wiring harnesses and stuff needed to be repaired, obviously i lost hope at some point, but as soon as we got it fixed the vehicle runs like a wonder, better than the 01 prius we bought from the dealer 3 years prior.

    honestly, for me getting a vehicle repaired from a collision and driving it is a very interesting experience, you always think that before the car looks normal, it was in a accident
     
  10. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

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    Pictures, pictures, pictures, we neeeeeeeeeeeeed pictures.:crutch:
     
  11. CLJohnson72

    CLJohnson72 New Member

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    They ended up calling it a total loss.

    The average value of a 2006 in my area turned out to be 20,300 with an average of about 35000 miles.

    They ended up offering me 17,800 for mine that had 68,000 miles.

    I am looking to dispute that, as the lowest selling price of any Prius on the list (autosource valuation database) was 18,500 and there was a 2006 with 81,000 miles that sold for 19,000.

    They calculated 6.5 cents devaluation for each mile above the average mileage of 35,000. That is why the amount they are offering is so much less than the average price. 6.5 cents per mile is a typical amount, however I am arguing that a Prius (which holds its value better than any other car in its price range) should not be subject to typical devaluation.

    I will update when the matter is resolved. If anyone has any insight, it would certainly be appreciated.

    Also, I have many pics, but each time I try to upload it times out. Any advise?

    Thanks!
     
  12. Prius 07

    Prius 07 Member

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    In the current Consumers Report the Prius is shown as the best vehicle for resale value in relationship to the purchase price. Show that report to your insurance company and best of luck.
     
  13. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I had a similar situation back in the late 70's when there was also a 'gas crisis'. I had a Rabbit Diesel, and they were basically like the Prius then. In demand, high resale and low depreciation.

    Unlike the Prius they were also very popular with car thieves. Folks were saying that they were stolen and trucked to Mexico where Diesel was much cheaper than gasoline but I can't attest to the truth of that rumor.

    One day I came out and the only thing left in my parking space was some broken glass and the Speaker Cover off the drivers door.

    My insurance company had the same lowball approach. So, I asked them to identify ONE car that was for sale anywhere in the US with my features and mileage at the price they were quoting me that didn't have a salvage title.

    Eventually they upped it to a relatively reasonable amount :)