Tree Fell on Truck. Looks bad. Advice?

[greentruck]

The city probably goes by market value in what they'll offer you. Comprehensive on your own stuff will cover up to that same value, presuming there's not much argument over what the value is. If you want coverage over and above market value (collectors value, special added equipment, etc), you have to pay for that separately. If you have that sorta value, but not insured yourself, then the city could be offered the same evidence of extra value to justify a bigger payout...but they could just see you in court over that. It gets complicated.

 

[greentruck]

Wish I could be an optimist n getting the windshield frame straight. If it was just the upper, could do it. But it the lower, opposite lip is also crunched, then getting them both straight and in proper relation to each other is the hard part. Especially if you don't have tools and gauges like a shop does. Not saying it can't be done to at least work, just guessing in a wet climate like Duluth/Superior a leaky windshield is soon a rusty windshield.

There are more Southwestern trucks out there.

This one's paid for.

The eternal dilemma in these situations, especially bad when there's some emotional ivestment as there often is in our vehicles. Hard to let a good one go when the numbers don't add up.

 

[BILT4ME]

I'm guessing about $1500 damage on the pickup. That shouldn't be anywhere near totaling it. If it is, buy it back for $200 and throw the money at it to fix it on the cheap.

I have State Farm and I have agreed values on a 70 GMC and on a 59 Studebaker. They do have to be legitimate values, and my premiums reflect the value. Surprisingly, the premium for the 70 GMC valued at $15K is about the same as the premium for the Studebaker valued at $5000 because the Stude is harder to find parts.

Get an estimate and send to the city. Choose the shop that will give you the highest value. Ask THEM about market value of the truck.

 

[Red Merle]

Wish I could be an optimist n getting the windshield frame straight. If it was just the upper, could do it. But it the lower, opposite lip is also crunched, then getting them both straight and in proper relation to each other is the hard part. Especially if you don't have tools and gauges like a shop does. Not saying it can't be done to at least work, just guessing in a wet climate like Duluth/Superior a leaky windshield is soon a rusty windshield.

There are more Southwestern trucks out there.

This one's paid for.

The eternal dilemma in these situations, especially bad when there's some emotional ivestment as there often is in our vehicles. Hard to let a good one go when the numbers don't add up.

This is truth. As much as I feel like an idiot for letting this happen, at least nobody got hurt.

As for the truck, yep, there is an emotional attachment to it. This was my 4th Tacoma and the exact model and features that I always wanted. I love these little guys because they are just so handy and reliable and they get great MPG. In a former life I was a remodeling contractor and I always used the little trucks when my competitors all drove full sized, mostly American, gas hogs. They would mock me for the little truck, but I always got everything in there and I could still do as much work and haul enough equipment and materials to make the same amount of money they did each day, but at the end of every month I would be hundreds of dollars ahead because my little buddy got three times the gas mileage and it almost never broke down.

These are nearly impossible to find in any condition where I live and I feel like if I lose this truck, I will never have the chance to get another one like it. That shouldn't upset me as much as it does, but what can I say?

 

[flintknapper]

I don't have it because they won't pay out anywhere near what the truck is worth. They said they would pay roughly $3k in the event of an accident but that would have cost me an additional $200 per month. Those numbers don't work for me. I wanted them to do an agreed value policy and they said they would get back to me on that, but I never heard anything and I just forgot about it to be honest.

I have Allstate right now for both trucks and my house and now I am really thinking I might want to switch as I tried to bump my coverages up so that this type of thing wouldn't burn me, but all I am seeing at this point is an increase in premiums without anything to really show for it.

Where can you go to get agreed value policies for older vehicles you daily drive?

Dang, better check with another agent. I know we are in a different rating territory, but I pay $168.00 a month to insure both of our vehicles with:

Liability, Property damage, Collision, Comp, Rental reimbursement, roadside help, Uninsured and medical expense benefits.

That is with Allstate. ^^^^^^^^

 

[ZackR]

I'd definitely call around on insurance. I pay $4.94 a month for comprehensive on my 94 cruiser with USAA, with a $500 deductible. Not agreed value so if something happened I'd likely have to haggle with them but still a good deal.

For reference my six month premium for the cruiser is $248 (300k/500k bodily injury, 300k damage and 300k/500k on uninsured motorists injury). Three total cars on the policy.

 

[Red Merle]

Dang, better check with another agent. I know we are in a different rating territory, but I pay $168.00 a month to insure both of our vehicles with:

Liability, Property damage, Collision, Comp, Rental reimbursement, roadside help, Uninsured and medical expense benefits.

That is with Allstate. ^^^^^^^^

I feel like my agent might be a jerk. A couple of months ago, I spent an hour talking to him about the values of my trucks and the things I wanted covered for my home and shop and he really didn't follow through with what I was asking him to but he just went ahead and upped my premiums for my HO insurance and now that this has happened and I am reading the fine print, I think I am getting hosed.

I am going to do a full audit of all of my coverages to make sure my stuff is actually insured. I have a lot of crap. 6 bikes, two cars, a boat, 2 canoes, piles of skis and a mountain of camping gear along with a pretty respectable shop full of power tools and full mechanics boxes full of hand tools. I honestly thought something like this would be covered since the truck was parked at my house and I was no where near the driver's seat when it happened.

 

[flintknapper]

I feel like my agent might be a jerk. A couple of months ago, I spent an hour talking to him about the values of my trucks and the things I wanted covered for my home and shop and he really didn't follow through with what I was asking him to but he just went ahead and upped my premiums for my HO insurance and now that this has happened and I am reading the fine print, I think I am getting hosed.

I am going to do a full audit of all of my coverages to make sure my stuff is actually insured. I have a lot of crap. 6 bikes, two cars, a boat, 2 canoes, piles of skis and a mountain of camping gear along with a pretty respectable shop full of power tools and full mechanics boxes full of hand tools. I honestly thought something like this would be covered since the truck was parked at my house and I was no where near the driver's seat when it happened.

Your agent can send you a PDF of your exact coverage (itemized). My agent does this bi-annually and I don't even ask her. I pay $41.00 every 6 months for Comp on my 97 Land Cruiser with a $50.00 deductible.

I can't see your Home Owners insurance paying anything for your vehicle, especially since it wasn't even on your property at the time, but the City (or some other entity) might be responsible...IF it can be proved that they own the tree and that it presented an unreasonable and foreseeable hazard.

Yes, check with your agent, doesn't sound like he is working for you with respect to rate prices.

 

[ppc]

$200 per month is even high for full coverage. Either you have an incredibly bad driving record, a bunch of teenage drivers or a thief for an insurance agent.

 

[4wheelspulling]

Can you find a Taco cab and just replace the whole cab? Maybe cheaper than payment by the hour to a body shop to fix yours? Going through same kind of scenario on my wife's Honda. I ended up just buying her something else that she wanted to drive. So much for mods to our Landcruiser like I want for a while!

 

[gearinstalls.com]

So do you ever have one of those days where it just feels like you have a black cloud above you? I am two thirds of a way towards a decent country music song here. My gal up and left last night and this morning I woke up to the city boys pulling a sizeable section of a maple tree off my beloved Tacoma.

My homeowners insurance told me to pound sand and I have auto coverage with them, but I don't do comp and collision because I drive like an old man and they won't pay out what the truck is worth because KBB doesn't understand the Toyota Tax.

So what do I do? I will file a claim with the city, but I am guessing that will be tough sledding and I will end up just having to eat this.

The truck is a 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 5-speed, ext cab with cruise control and AC, 2WD. They never sold these in the upper midwest and I found this one that had been imported from AZ 6 years ago. I paid $4500 for it but it's much nicer now than when I bought it. 100% rust free, body had no damage beyond an old slightly mismatched respray from a previous fender bender that must have gone unreported. Runs perfect and I had planned on keeping it forever since they are so hard to find, period, much less in this condition. I also have a sweet set of snow tires mounted on separate wheels.

I have no money for any real bodywork and paint. Should I try to get the windshield out and bang it back somehow and hope I can get a windshield in there somehow or should I just part it out?

Man, what day. Hopefully my dog doesn't die to finish up the requirements for that song.

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I know this isn't 80's Tech, but I trust you guys and I have never found the Tacoma forums to be as thorough as you guys are. Any advice would be appreciated.

Looking at the limited damage, I'd give it a go in straightening it out just enough to get a windshield in there. Wedging your foot from the inside might not have enough umph to bend it straight ...time for some 2x4 chunks and the hi-lift jack(with the old window removed).

 

[GeoRoss]

I'd definitely call around on insurance. I pay $4.94 a month for comprehensive on my 94 cruiser with USAA, with a $500 deductible. Not agreed value so if something happened I'd likely have to haggle with them but still a good deal.

For reference my six month premium for the cruiser is $248 (300k/500k bodily injury, 300k damage and 300k/500k on uninsured motorists injury). Three total cars on the policy.

I've been very happy with USAA. I will say I was still shocked when we added the fresh 16 yo driver to the plan. 4 cars, the youngest a 2013 and all with comprehensive $500 deductible and we pay $350/month. $120/month was the new driver.

 

[4wheelspulling]

I've been very happy with USAA. I will say I was still shocked when we added the fresh 16 yo driver to the plan. 4 cars, the youngest a 2013 and all with comprehensive $500 deductible and we pay $350/month. $120/month was the new driver.

Great company, that is who I use also. Can't say I have been able to find a better insurance company!

 

[souzgs]

I definitely wouldn't part it out. Maybe you can find a donor truck at a junkyard. You wouldn't even need the whole truck, just a chance to cut out a couple of pieces of the body. Couldn't you just cut out the pieces of the roof and windshield edge (and possibly hood) you need, cut out the same dimensions of the damaged parts of your current truck, then weld in the undamaged pieces from the donor truck? (With windshield out, of course). Grind the seams until smooth, then finish off with the normal body repair methods...fill, sand, primer, paint, etc. I'd think you'd get a better looking and functioning result with this over just pounding out the dents, then hoping to fill and fix any imperfections.

Sure, easy to say, hard to do. But if this were my truck, that's the route I'd probably take...even if it meant purchasing a relatively inexpensive welder and learning/practicing how to weld.

Just a thought.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I would take a deep breath. Get an estimate to repair it. Call the city. Demand they pay for it.

Then worry about whether or how you fix it.

Get the facts then make a decision. Until then you are wasting your time.

 

[LINUS]

I would take a deep breath. Get an estimate to repair it. Call the city. Demand they pay for it.

Then worry about whether or how you fix it.

Get the facts then make a decision. Until then you are wasting your time.

+1

I have a feeling if the city was out there removing the branch that did the damage, then the tree was one they claim as part of your town's property.

I'd be the loudest guy at the city courthouse too, with good fortune they $$$ up.

Worst case, you rent a porta-pac & use lumber to push out using broad force rather than single points of pressure, let the steel memory hopefully take it back to 'close'.

Worst case & it turns out like complete butt / won't take a stock windshield, you can do your own polycarb window - choose to keep it or not based on final results of what window fits the frame, but polycarb works better than some would instinctively guess.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I wouldn't scream and yell. The exact way I would handle it is this.

Walk in with estimate and ask to speak with the City Manager. When they ask why tell them "One of the City's trees fell on my truck so I got an estimate for the repairs for you to cut me a check so I can get it fixed."

You've started the ball rolling. Now the person you just told the story to is going to tell the next person "This guy had one of our trees fall on his truck and needs to make a claim." The responsibility has already been accepted and assumed by them as they relay the message.

They will direct you to the correct person to speak to. Don't yell or scream. Be calm and respectful. It isn't these people's fault you parked on the wrong side of the road and were too lazy to put your sh!t away!

Another thing to remember is that nearly every City is self insured (up to a certain dollar amount, which you are nowhere near). They know this stuff happens and they budget for it. It is highly doubtful you will have to deal with an insurance company and could walk out with a check that day.

If you get nowhere THEN you can get more assertive.

 

[LINUS]

^^^ Good point - I mis-spoke when I said 'loudest'.

In my 1 horse town I generally know by name most the folks in legal by virtue of having friends/family/ex's all there.

Poor wording on my part. Mea culpa.

 

[Red Merle]

Thanks for all of the advice. I took the truck in for an estimate today and I received an email from the head of the Dept. of Public Works. I know him professionally and we have a good relationship. He seemed to think it shouldn't be a big deal for them to make me whole again, but he did explain that I have to file a claim with the Claims Committee which meets once per month. Unfortunately, they met today for this month, so I will have to wait a month before I know what is going on. It's out of his hands, but I have a feeling he is going to lean on them if they deny me initially.

I will let you know how it shakes out.

Thanks again!

 

[LINUS]

In a convoluted way, a full month for your buddy to "give a nod" to the right people is a gift. He's not bound for time, and you basically park it weeks at a time (so I gathered).

It would be my dream scenario if I was trying to advance the ball, esp since this is far from a DD rig.

Gives you a few days as well to file any paperwork, submit to your buddy, etc.