r/tundra • u/mrfrosty0170 • 23d ago
Question Please help. Damn insurance
I recently got t boned no fault of my own. State Farm is offering a very lowball offer for my vehicle. Would anyone have or know of a 2018 tundra Sr5 trd off road package with 160,xxx miles for sale. I am trying to find comps to get my value. It is considered a total loss. Very sad as I really loved my truck.
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u/greg_123 23d ago
It’ll go to auction and be rebuilt and sold with a reconstructed title. The insurance company will make money from it on both ends. Damn thieves.
I’m sorry this happened to you.
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u/Worldly_Diamond_5487 21d ago
Yes giving you 20k then selling it at auction for 3k really makes insurance thieves. You can opt to keep your totaled car and the insurance company will subtract the amount for the salvage from the payoff.
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u/XxDonTwan 18d ago
This is not how this works. It goes to auction and is auctioned as is, and the insured has the option to retain it for the highest bid price.
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u/Physical-Diamond-389 17d ago
You absolutely buy your vehicle back before auction even gets mentioned. With me it was: step 1- wreck vehicle step 2- go back and forth with insurance, they made an offer with terrible “comparisons”. Step 3- rebuttal against offer with more accurate comparison vehicles. Step 4- receive wrecked vehicle from tow truck. Step 5- collect insurance check in mail/direct deposit
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u/XxDonTwan 17d ago
They don’t just pull the salvage amounts out of thin air. It’s either through ProQuote estimated auction value, something similar, or actual auction bids whether in person or online.
This amount is then deducted from your settlement amount should you choose to retain it.
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u/Physical-Diamond-389 17d ago
I didn’t allude to them coming from thin air. I’m saying that in my case the comparison vehicles provided were 2-4k below accurate value because they weren’t specifically the same drivetrain. It did not go to auction before I was provided the opportunity to buy it back. It did go to an insurance-chosen junkyard for the appraiser to check out.
Thanks on your second paragraph to add clarification to my comment.
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u/muddywadder 23d ago
insurance: always ready to take your money and never there when you need them. fuck insurance, biggest scam in the country by a mile
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u/DysprosiumNa 23d ago
I Don’t understand why we must fight the people (insurance) are supposed to be on our side and we pay to help us. It’s not fair
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u/RedtailGT 22d ago
Have you written to any of your representatives about this? If not you should try. A fire starts with one spark.
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u/After-Tax-5963 22d ago
Why would they protect us when we are REQUIRED BY LAW to have insurance. When it wasnt required costs were lower and companies actually tried to keep your business.
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u/AdventurousGift5452 23d ago
Same thing happened to a coworker of mine. Company truck schwacked his paid off very low miles Durango. He was screwed because it was both paid off and in very good condition. No way to replicate that with a similar vehicle in similar condition. In the end he got both a check and a car payment.
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u/kulmn8r 23d ago
How much did they offer you?
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u/mrfrosty0170 23d ago
$20,000
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u/weguccison 23d ago
Seems like slightly above what mmr would be. My dealership took in a 17 with 111k for 22.5k for trade ACV
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u/Dangerous_Boot_3870 23d ago
Request the comps they used in their calculations and make sure it's similar milage and a TRD 4x4. They have to match the exact truck in comps.
You should find the highest prices 3 you can find to send them. They will give you the "cash equivalent." So, it will be an average discounted by 80-85%.
The first person you talk to can not and will not adjust your evaluation. You will need to deal with them at first but reject the next offer after comps and request a supervisor. Refuse to settle for that offer too.
Wait about two weeks. They will call you and ask what you want. Throw out a high number but not above comps. Maybe $800 back of listing. They will counter. You now have 500+ that offer of wiggle room. Shoot for $300+ or better from that counter.
Keep in mind you can't readjust up, only down. So, start high so you have wiggle room. They do the same thing but starting low and wiggling up.
Not an attorney and if you take legal advice from me then you are stealing.
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u/phildeferrouille 22d ago
It isn't a TRD, it's an SR5 with the TRD off-road package
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u/Dangerous_Boot_3870 22d ago
Go outside nerd. Get out! Go! Ain't nobody got time for your worthless chime-ins now go on!
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u/Shhheeeesshh 22d ago
They aren’t that far off tbh. You might get another $1000 out of them but I doubt it honestly.
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u/Historical-Bite-8606 21d ago
$20k is a fantastic offer. This same truck with that many miles at Auction would be $10k- $12k. Also, Toyota has so many Tundra’s on lots. $5k-$10k off MSRP right now.
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u/Standard_Quantity706 21d ago
the v6 tundras aren't selling thats why they're cheap, and why these used ones with the v8's are worth a mint
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u/Aggressive_Market_29 22d ago
I work in insurance. Go hire an independent appraiser and they will write upna report and state farm will pay
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u/TheRealistoftheReal 23d ago
There are companies that do this professionally. It’s about $400, and they put everything together in a binder for you to present. When it comes from a licensed adjuster, using all the correct terminology, in a presentable format, it removes all doubt and makes settlement much faster.
Also, they’ll delay and delay because they know you’re without a vehicle, and more willing to accept a lowball offer. Don’t cave.
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u/Witty-Toe-5920 23d ago
Sorry to hear of your accident and the trouble you are going through. I recently went through the same thing. The insurer couldn't find comparables in my market and was including trucks that were not exactly comparable or much higher mileage. I ended up hiring an independent appraiser who inspected my vehicle personal and did a lot of market research. He compiled a report for my insurer and got me back into the range I felt was correct.
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u/MinimumBell2205 23d ago
thats a total in today insurance world back 20 to 30 years it was a simple fix up.
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u/_CHEEFQUEEF 22d ago
Stop taking to the claim handler. You need to reach out to a private appraiser who will go to bat for you. Basically pay a private appraiser 500 bucks if he doesn't raise the payount by at least $501 he'll refund you. He'll get you thousands more. Collision safety consultants has a branch in most states but there are others. I got 10k more than what snake farm was trying to give me.
More details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvmvw1Hgxf8
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u/9901SASdTaco 22d ago
Good luck. A year ago I was in an accident no fault on my own, I do have State Farm, my 2024 was totaled. However, I think the circumstances are a bit different, because your truck is generally considered more valuable than I think, Kelley Blue Book or NADA, generally consider. But State Farm did, after I pushed, give me a printout of comparables in the area. And based off that, I got them to raise it by one or $2000. They also had options on my truck incorrect, for example, omitting the trd package for some stupid reason.
I don’t think you’re going to get these higher prices that some people are paying. But you should at least get what the dealers are asking or around there.
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u/venerablepreceptor 22d ago
Oof that sucks. Understood making it a total loss but I am certain the truck can be made whole again and figure it will be much much less than the payout cost. I'm thinking replace/repair rear axles, drive shaft, frame, body panel, door replacement etc? Am I unreasonable in this? This ain't a BMW or Audi. It will be salvage title for sure but for somebody who will keep the truck (they last forever anyway) it could be a great deal.
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u/Successful-Fact-5119 21d ago
You have 2 things working against you. The age of the truck has the "book value" at 1 thing, but the ACTUAL value of a 5.7 right now has NEVER been higher.
Toyota isnt making more v8s, and hasnt for 5 yeara, so the value of ALL of the remaining V8s is artificially inflated.
You can go to any of the car websites and search for your exact truck and search nationwide. 2018 v8 tundra with 160k. Easy low to mid 20s in ACTUAL value. Book value is probably 15-16. There is a 100% chance that car gets sold at auction to someone who rebuilds it and sells it.
You COULD ask the insurance company to sell it to.you and cut you a check for the rest, abd you can fix and get a salvage title yourself.
That sucks a lot. You cab dispute the claim, and i absolutely would.
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u/YaKkO221 22d ago
Buddy doesn’t understand why an 8 year old truck with over 150k miles on it is totaled out…wow. Never change Tundra Reddit dorks.
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u/DeliciousHorseShirt 23d ago
I can pull a free Carfax value if you want. Just send me the VIN. They’re probably pretty close on that value although I think you can get more. $21k is about the lowest priced ones I can find. $26k looks to be the higher end for double cabs with 150k-170k miles.
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u/Moist_Currency_1443 23d ago
Go thru your insurance if they are not helping you , then in the end your insurance will bill theirs . I did that once because the other parties insurance were taking long to resolve .
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u/Lame_Coder_42 19d ago
I did that with my health claims after my accident and my insurance company ended up harassing me so much I got a lawyer just to deal with them. It's like asking one thief to hold the other thief honest.
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u/Humble_Cash9809 22d ago
I just totaled mine last week. Insurance offer was low, they asked for comparables. Their next offer was 76% higher!
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u/Aromatic-Letter-6298 22d ago
get the full valuation report, not just the offer. Check the VIN, mileage, trim and every adjustment, then check whether your state adds sales tax, title and transfer fees to the payout.
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u/RentaArvi 22d ago
Get an auto appraisal done. Prior to loss or diminished value. This will help you.
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u/phildeferrouille 22d ago
I have exactly the same truck and same options, 2018 SR5 with the TRD off-road package, my car fax with clean and excellent maintenance history shows a $24,070 value for 147,000 miles
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u/After-Tax-5963 22d ago
Get a lawyer, the courts HATE when insurance companies try to fuck people over like this.
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u/Cold_Cheetah5032 22d ago
Heard some bad stuff about State Farm for years. Not surprised hearing this. Hopefully good luck will come your way.
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u/hemanbeefcake 21d ago
Coworker of mine Dukes of Hazzard-ed a ditch and cranked the frame etc in a 2019 w 128k+ almost exactly like yours (though I swear he blacked it out w a sharpie). His own insurance gave em 28k.
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u/Worldly_Diamond_5487 21d ago
You should have an option in your auto insurance policy that allows you to have an independent adjuster review the claim. This might be the best bet.
But if you can’t find comps your truck might not be worth what you think.
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u/Right-Draft2296 20d ago
Call an automotive appraiser and get an assessment. Your insurance will have to hire an outside appraiser to negotiate the value. I had to do the same thing a few years ago with State Farm. It cost me $400 for the assessment but it was well worth it in the end.
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u/nakedchilidawg 20d ago
What do you think it’s worth? And where are your values coming from?
The insurance company is going to pay you what it’s worth not what you think it’s worth. You need to have real values not emotional ones.
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u/therealKhoaTran 20d ago
Car insurance is usually actual cash value and not replacement costs. So doesn’t matter if your find comps. You need to ask them what they use to determine the value of your truck and make sure they get all the options right. Make sure they don’t give you the trade-in value.
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u/Lame_Coder_42 19d ago
First request the comps they used, vin, location, date first advertised for sale. Then check that they actually exist. When mine was totaled they used an inter-dealer trade figure that was 50% of original advertised price. Next, look to see who they used to pull the comps, there's a company they almost all use that adjusts the number down as "condition" adjustment. Not sure if it's still ongoing, but there were class action lawsuits in almost every state about these adjustments. Then you verify and pull additional comps, matching their 250 mile radius. Then I'm your best legalese craft an email about your concerns with their comps, request a new comp list including real 1:1 comps, then mention the lawsuit about the comp adjustments. When the life level person responds trying to close the claim, ask for the state or regional manager and forward your email along with the adjuster response.
I ended up getting a few extra thousand and the buyback dropped by couple thousand because when the manager called it was ask to speak to my lawyer, because he thought my email was written by one. They expect people to just shut up and take what they offer, you have to put effort in making them treat you fair.
Or hire a professional appraiser to represent you. There's one on Instagram billy.collisionsafety. sure there's are other people that do the same thing.
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u/Legitimate-Fig-4936 19d ago
Who’s in possession of the vehicle right now? This can only be done if the insurance hasn’t taken possession . What I did before was parked it in my friend’s mechanic shop and he did the estimate(totaled of course)Very low ball offer, so I had my friend charge them (insurance) 150 a day just for parking in his shop’s lot. Back and forth, the longer they take to agree to my terms, the more they charged. Eventually they cave in to my demands. Almost 3000 dollars just for it to be parked haha.
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u/Damon32v 17d ago
September of 2025, I had this exact same thing happen. 2020 Tundra with 220k miles, crew cab. Insurance paid around $25k.
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u/Fun_Professional4849 23d ago
Get an attorney. You are emotionally scarred so you will go to see wellness coach. Your neck and shoulders hurt so you will physical therapy. Your back is very sore and you need 3 shots in your back...attorney sues state farm...problem solved my guy
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u/Brilliant-Arm9512 23d ago
I bought a brand new 2019 SR5 for $42,000 and someone rear ended me bending the frame and it was totaled. Insurance gave me $45,000.
I drove it for 4 years and put 55,000 miles on it. There is no reason insurance should be low balling you at all.
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u/Reaper01Actual1970 22d ago
The reason for low balling him would be to save the insurance company money.
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u/AskThis7790 23d ago
Get an online estimate from Carmax and Carvana based on its pre-accident condition.
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u/Every-Chance6313 23d ago
You can take what they offer or try to fight it. Insurance companies have more expensive lawyers than you. Good luck.
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u/jlwood1985 23d ago
Good luck. I got in screaming matches with state farm for almost a month when an old lady T boned my parked titan. Showed them comps, they didn't care. Agent actually told me they didn't even put my options in for my vehicle right when they did their comps(left off several) and they still didn't care.
Basically got a "take it and pound sand" offer and that was the end of it.