Some ideas needed from land cruiser experts (1 Viewer)

[SFROMAN]

I bought a very nice 97 lx450 a few months back. My old lady and my youngest son were t boned in it about a month ago. I just talked to the insurance guy this morning. He says he does not know if the rear axle is bent. I told him that it's his job to figure it out not mine. The damage is at 60% if the rear axle needs repairs or replacement it will make the damage over 80%. That is the legal number here in Florida for vehicles to be totaled.

So here r the options the way I see them.

1. I get it repaired with the money that insurance quotes me for. I told him regardless of what he says I am going to have the whole drivetrain inspected and rebuilt or rebalanced as I see fit. I don't think this guy knows that I am not just going to settle for half ass repairs. Especially for any drivetrain repairs.

2. The vehicle is totaled and settle for an amount that I think is fair.
I told the adjuster to keep in mind that I searched for 4 years to find the cleanest low mileage vehicle I could find. With all records from dealership. On top of the purchase of the vehicle I bought 5 new BFG all terrains $2k, tax and title- for 2 years $800, base lined the vehicle with all new fluids $700. Two layers of liner in the interior to quiet it down $600. Another vehicle would also require a fee to be shipped which is probably around $1k.
For the record. I did tell the guy that I could care less. About the money. I am much more interested in the vehicle because I know what I have. I have a feeling that the insurance is going to want to low ball me and I'm going to end up going to threaten to get a lawyer so I can get the equivalent of what I already have.

3. This option would be for the vehicle to be totaled and maybe possibly buy the vehicle from the insurance company. This would not get me back to what I had before the accident but I could use the lx strictly as an offroad vehicle. My plan would be to get the vehicle to Darin's red barn and have him work his magic. Obviously only concentrating on the drivetrain.

It's a tough situation either way. The worste part is that I am still away for work and was only able to come to the states to talk to the insurance guy and then getting on a plane back to work. I won't be able to fix any issues or do anything with the vehicle until I get back In a few more months.

So what do u guys think?

 

[jfz80]

Del.... that sucks... read it on the main forum a while back and looks like they are taking their sweet time dealing with your dilemna.

There are a bunch of good similar threads with excellent advice in 80s tech. The beauty of the forum there are lawyers and insurance men and mechanics all in the same spot to share their sides of the story and advice.

Seems #2 would be a decent option if you could prove the value and get them to agree on paying it. Sounds like you have a good list started of points to address.

Were you not talking about getting your wife or yourself another 80 anyways. Seems i read in your thread she wanted to keep this one and you were thinking of getting one to play with. If so maybe the situation just got flip flopped and you get this one and go on the hunt for another cleaner/stocker one for the little lady.

Either way if you need a rear axle housing I have one available. It has been sitting out open so its likely in need of a deep clean but if you can get them to pay oem price for a new one then it might work out for you.

stay safe at work and come play when your back this way

 

[GLTHFJ60]

First of all, I hope that everyone is alright!

The ideal situation is obviously #2. Assuming you are able to get the full value out of the vehicle, then you can find a new one.

 

[SFROMAN]

The family is fine. The insurance adjuster says he will work with me and said he would do everything he can to get me what my vehicle is worth. Then he was like well I am telling u I can see the tires and the spare are new ( less than 200 miles and 0 miles respectively) but u won't get the full value for them.
In the end it is not my interests that they care about. The comparables in the for sale section lists 80s like mine between 12k and 15k. Of course I would still need to register it and pay taxes on it and get it delivered to my house.

 

[NCFJ]

Del, Glad all are well, let me know if I can help. I am dealing with a lot of 80s these days.

Stan

 

[SFROMAN]

The insurance guy just left my house.He dropped off a check for $3k and one for $200. The 200 is for the towing fees that we payed out of pocket.
The $3k is supposedly to get the truck back to the way it was. I asked why the estimate did not include a tow to the shop or how was i supposed to get it to the shop? His response- we already payed for the towing from the scene to the yard and from the yard to your house. So how do I get it to the shop? no answer. I am obviously expected to tow it there myself, I guess.
Once the frame and the body work are done the rear end has to be looked at. It is obvious that there is an issue with the rear end because the driver side that got hit is not exactly straight. I looked at all the links and they do not seem to be under stress or misaligned. the only noticeable rubbing from movement is in the anti sway bar bushing. The guy is stumped, he says he cannot figure out what the issue is with the rear end. I asked what about the rest of the drivetrain? He says what about it? I say well maybe I want to get it looked at since the impact might have caused other issues. He says that since he cant see damage that he cant quote me for that? So I guess I just go off his word that everything else is perfectly fine, balanced, not damaged, and aligned properly. I dont think so.

He says that he found a rear axle in South Carolina for $600. I said cool, what is the mileage on it? does it get rebuilt befre it goes back on? no answer.
I say wha tif the the rear drive shaft is warped due to the impact or knocked out of balance. His answer is not likely.

I told him that I know he is ding his job and it is nothing against him but at the end of the day I am going to expect my vehicle to be exactly or better than it was before I was hit. There is no reason why I should be expected by the crooks at the insurance company to expect anything less than that. The vehicle will sit in my drive way until i get back from deployment because I know that if I let my wife try to handle it they will try to take advantage of the fact that she does not know enough anbout cars to know when they r trying to rip us off.

I am seriously debating getting a lawyer and dealing with those crooks just so I dont loose any more money than I have to.
I figure that even if I tow it to a landcruiser shop. ie ACC in Atlanta, Darins in NC or Stan in SC I would be out that gas money that I doubt the insurance is gong to want to cover.

 

[NCFJ]

Don't sign anything, don't take any money

I do not know the time frame, but you don't have to take the first low ball offer they throw at you. IN GENERAL, which means not always and act at your own peril, IN GENERAL once you sign, your goose is cooked and served. They will eat you alive, that is what they do. The only way to get what you want is to beat them at their own game. Which is to have answers for every one of their questions and have statements they were not aware existed. Not an easy trick. Good luck.

We carry very specific insurance on our vehicles, trailers included. We have comprehensive insurance on vehicles that earn us money and vehicles that are worth well more than BANK value. KBB is a farce. If you feel your LC is worth more than BANK value, document the vehicle. We sit down with our agent, he insures our farm, home, shop, business,vehicles, animals. We have a bunch of rolling stock and I'll bet we spend equal or less than what many pay just on vehicles. My tow rig, trailer and loads are insured. It may be worth it for you to sit down with an agent. Look for a guy that sells to farmers and business.

$3K to make it right is nothing in todays market.

 

[LockedNLoaded]

Damn man I am sorry to hear about your troubles. Who in world is your insurance with? They are totally jerking you around. Several years back I crashed rolled my 40 and USAA had it towed to one of their body shops. Met with the manager and told him that I wanted to have it totaled and then I would back it back from the insurance company to make it a trail rig only. Two days later I flew to Japan for 3 months (so they had plenty of time). Shop manager calls me up to tell me that he can't believe it but USAA was going to pay the full repair bill even though the estimate was several thousand dollars higher than what it worth. It didn't make any sense, but I ended up with a completely new 40, even seats, CD player, all sorts of random stuff that had nothing to do with the accident. To this day I still don't understand it.


I hate to say this but I think you will need a lawyer. Without seeing photos it's hard to say, but I know LCs and 3k most likely even come close to you costs to get it back to the level that you expect. Honestly, it seems like a slap in the face.

Wish you the best of luck on this.

 

[fourtrax]

a good 4 wheel alignment shop would be able to show on paper if your if your axle is bent.

Glad no one was hurt. and don't let them low ball you.

 

[SFROMAN]

My insurance is with USAA. Ihave nothing but good things to say about them. I am currently dealing with Geico because it is what the guy that hit my wife has.

 

[LockedNLoaded]

My insurance is with USAA. Ihave nothing but good things to say about them. I am currently dealing with Geico because it is what the guy that hit my wife has.

Sorry don't know what I was thinking. Most likely will have to get a lawyer the. Geico is a PITA to deal with in those situations.

 

[SFROMAN]

I am going to deposit both checks becuase they expire. I am going to get the lexus fixed the correct way that I feel it should. The body damage is minimal and the $3000 should cover it. After reading the estimate it does say that there is damage that has still not been estimated. I am getting on a plane in a few hours headed out of the country so I will just have to deal with it in a few months when I get back.

This whole situation sucks and hopefully I dont have to deal with having to get a lawyer when I get back. I ust wish there was a landcruiser or toyota guy near me that I could trust to get the work done while I am gone.

 

[JohnVee]

Have you spoken with USAA about handling this? My experience is that they will help. I would be very hesitant to deposit any monies from the other company. It's usually in the fine print that doing so will seal the deal. USAA will understand that you are being deployed; GEICO couldn't care less and will probably use it to their advantage.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Del. You and my wife need to chat. I just chatted with her and told her to pop up on here.

Did you have full coverage on this truck ? If you did then as i understand it from her that your insurance can and should fight their insurance. That is why all my trucks are now fully covered from my bad FJ60 accident.

 

[household6]

Del, DO NOT CASH EITHER CHECK UNTIL YOU HAVE A TOTAL AGREEMENT! Once you cash a check from the insurance company, the court system takes that to mean you agree with the settlement offered. Your options after become very limited unless there is personal injury.

Unless you are willing to get the vehicle to a repair shop for estimates or have a certified, insurance approved mechanic come to the vehicle and give an opinion of the axle, you are stuck with the adjusters opinion. It doesn't matter what you did to customize the vehicle unless you have specific coverage that you purchased through your insurance company for customization. Their company will not consider modifications you made within their appraisal, they will go by the book with adjusted value for depreciation, miles, etc. If you have purchased an umbrella under your vehicle's coverage, you can file for the non-covered customizations under your underinsured coverage.

You have the right to get two certified appraisals of your own and submit them to the other person's insurance company and haggle to increase the amount that you are paid. You can also submit documentation of your upgrades to the adjuster and ask for consideration. If it were me, I would try to do so, agree on a "totaled" sum and settle, include the buy back amount in the $ and call it a day. Buy backs are very common and should not be an issue, unless you have signed a waiver saying you do not intend to do so. Is the vehicle at your home or off site?

We went through this process of working with an adjuster when Darin was t-boned by a stupid little car. In the end, I was able to negotiate more than a far price based on comps from Auction Web sites, book value, receipts from customizing the 60 and Darin's knowledge of restoration. We bought his 60 back for $800. It comes down to how you play the game and how much you know. Fortunately for us, I was a P&C claims agent for a few years! Hope it works out in your favor!

 

[SFROMAN]

We hold off on cashing the checks. I won't be able to do anything until I get back to the states in a few months. For now, I had the lx towed to my house. Thinking I'm going to get it to a Lexus dealership and have them do the work on it once I get back.

Thanks for the responses

 

[SFROMAN]

We will hold off on cashing the checks. I won't be able to do anything until I get back to the states in a few months. For now, I had the lx towed to my house. Thinking I'm going to get it to a Lexus dealership and have them do the work on it once I get back.

Thanks for the responses