Salvaged Title 'Cruiser

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

T

tdkhelene

Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Threads
19
Messages
161
Location
Seattle WA
Back in November my wife got into an accident in our '98 'cruiser. A woman in a late model outback tagged our rear quarter panel while making a random lane change. After fishtailing across all lanes of traffic, hitting the median and 2 other cars, my wife was able to bring the truck to a controlled stop on the side of the road. Fortunately my wife and my 2 boys were safe with no serious injuries with the exception of the mighty 'cruiser. Sadly the insurance company could not revive it and wrote her off.

Here's my problem. I bought the 'cruiser with a salvage title. As a result, insurance will only give us 6 grand as replacement. We bought the truck in 2012 with 119K for $8,500. The salvage title came from the truck being stolen and not from an accident. How do I show the insurance carrier that the replacement value of the truck is significantly higher than $6,000? Anyone out there have any evidence / proof / documentation of higher values? I live up in Seattle WA FWIW.
 
What little I know, is that reconstructed titles are generally considered to be worth half as much, regardless of circumstance. in cases like a theft recovery, it doesn't make sense, but you took advantage of the branded title when you bought it. Sounds like a great buy.

Can you take the cash and buy back the car for salvage value, or however that works? Is $6k enought to cover the repair?
 
Sorry man, thats the issue with salvaged titles and insurance companies, they don't want to mess with them. The actual value always varies and an adjuster doesn't look at your car before the accident.

Although we all can agree that your salvaged title may be a better option, the insurance company (people behind desks) can't see your car and by their own business standards have to go by what they have written in front of them. The probability of issues while being stolen is there. Kelly Blue Book or a written trade in value from Carmax are what I would know that may have a fight. But I'm sure the value they wrote you is from KBB. A statement from Carmax or other credible dealership within the last 6 months proving a higher trade in value could work.

In your case it sucks that you know that what you were driving is worth well over that. The greatness of a Toyota 4x4.

If you had anything aftermarket, you can ask your agent or the adjuster for your personal possessions. Like DVD players, Headrest Video Screens, Wheels, Subwoofer, Headlights, Bulbs etc.

Good Luck.
 
Bummer about the accident. I'm glad the cruiser protected everyone. Did it take the insurance co 3 months to figure things out? One positive way to look at the situation is that if you get $6000 from insurance, you drove a wonderful vehicle for 3 years for only $2500. That's a good deal by most standards.
 
Yeah... it was a great deal alright... I appreciate the feedback though. I guess I'll have to settle for what they give me. :bang: It seems wrong to be at the mercy of these insurance companies since we are the ones that are making them rich.

Fortunately, my '98 did protect my family well. I'm back into another one now... I found me a 1999 LX470 with 99,000. Unfortunately I had to trade the rear locking diff i had in the '98 for the dumb AHC... but, on the good side... the AHC is working perfectly. Anyhow... thanks for the thoughts guys!

Here's a couple of the 'ole '98:

resizer.webp
resizer (1).webp


Here's the new member of the family:

IMG_3110.webp
 
I don't want this to come off the wrong way, but I think you are extremely lucky to even get $6k out of an insurance company on a totaled truck that had a salvage title. I was under the impression previously that insurance companies would cover salvage title vehicles for liability only since they inherently have a highly diminished value. Like someone else said, you drove a truck for a couple years for $2500 and it kept your family safe - take the money and enjoy the new (hopefully not salvage titled) LX! Nice BFG ATKO2s btw!
 
Thanks man... I appreciate the perspective mcgaskins. It's just hard to stomach the loss when someone else runs you off the road and you gotta empty your bank account to get back in the saddle again.

(I will say that the new tires are pretty great though! :))
 
You came out pretty good. Glad you have the right outlook and ended up in another 100. I bought a salvaged F350 and learned that when you buy a salvage vehicle you will have to practically give it away so you better get a screamin' deal on the front end. IMO the biggest downside to a salvage vehicle is you have to sell it outright. Most dealers won't touch one.

Good looing LX. :smokin:
 
mcgaskins said:
I don't want this to come off the wrong way, but I think you are extremely lucky to even get $6k out of an insurance company on a totaled truck that had a salvage title. I was under the impression previously that insurance companies would cover salvage title vehicles for liability only since they inherently have a highly diminished value. Like someone else said, you drove a truck for a couple years for $2500 and it kept your family safe - take the money and enjoy the new (hopefully not salvage titled) LX! Nice BFG ATKO2s btw!
Click to expand...

I concur.

$6k on a '98 w/ a salvage title is pretty solid. Fortunately you didn't overpay when you bought it. That $6k is a nice start on your new rig.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom