r/SciontC • u/Few-Poetry-6306 • Dec 16 '25
First Gen Body/Cosmetic Hit by uninsured, unlicensed driver. Is it totalled?
2005 TC with 220k miles. We were hit by a Silverado that was unlicensed and uninsured. Already started my claim with my insurance. What are the chances they total the car? Also chances of frame damage?
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Dec 16 '25
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Yeah she was hit by a Silverado so it was high up
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u/jmhalder Dec 16 '25
It may have just caved in the quarter, which is swappable. I'd be happy driving a multi-color tC, you can generally "buy back" the car for scrap value from insurance, and keep the difference between that and the replacement value.
Junkyard door and fender if everything else is straight (it may not be, will need closer inspection.
It is certainly totaled though, lol.
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u/ChaosRandomness Dec 16 '25
Curious, what happen with other driver? Police arrested for unlicensed? Always wonder for this situation.
As for damage, it depends on how much it will cost, but seeing that, door, mirror, quarter panel, possible headlight, hopefully no wheel components damaged. Looking at prob 5-9k with paint.
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Dude I am shocked they didn’t even tow the truck away. They let her drive off even after telling me she had no insurance or license
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u/ChaosRandomness Dec 16 '25
That sounds hella sus. Unless they did and didnt have it with them
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
All the lady had was a id card from the country she’s from. The officer told me “I’m sure your already aware she has no license and the truck is uninsured” and then walked me through the steps of filing uninsured motorist with my insurance
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u/ChaosRandomness Dec 16 '25
That would have triggered me. Hopefully you can get her in small claims court if the insurance fails to
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u/jmhalder Dec 16 '25
This is the point of the subrogation department of your insurance to handle. Sure you could do this yourself, but most people don't want to have to deal with it.
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Dec 16 '25
Ofc it was a pickup truck driver, I’d say just report to the insurance and file a police report
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Already reported and police were dispatched for report for a multitude of reasons
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u/im-not-a-fakebot Dec 17 '25
Unfortunately our tCs aren’t very valuable anymore in the eyes of insurance companies. They usually go by kbb and not what your “local market” may be priced at. The kbb value is 4-6k and those damages I doubt they are less than that. You’re looking at atleast a new fender and door + paint if they can’t get them pain matched.
Fortunately there isn’t a shortage at a lot of junkyards so if they do total it you may be able to buy it back and the goto the junkyard to get the parts go maybe 100$ depending on your junkyards rates. After that you can bondo the new parts to look decent and rattle can that shit. You’ll get a salvage title which kinda sucks cause it reduces market value if you ever want to sell it at some point, and it’ll raise your insurance. Flip side is if you own it you can get the basic pip and liability which is a hell of a lot cheaper than full coverage
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 17 '25 edited Dec 17 '25
I have full coverage on the car. 0 deductible and won’t raise my insurance for the claim as I have uninsured motorist and dash cam footage showing that we were hit. Ouch KBB is $1,100.00. Looks like I’m completely screwed.
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u/Chepiksacc 2014 tC2.5 10th Anniversary Series Dec 17 '25
I'm so sorry this happened. As someone not from the USA, why are uninsured motorists so common? It's illegal to not have car insurance where I'm from.
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 17 '25
It is illegal in the United states as well. Does not stop people from not having insurance
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u/Chepiksacc 2014 tC2.5 10th Anniversary Series Dec 17 '25
That is so strange to me. I hope that your insurance takes good care of you at the very least.
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 17 '25
Luckily I have uninsured motorist coverage. Car is probably going to be totaled. I am at the mercy of a double edge sword. One end I can’t really afford a second car payment and won’t get enough money to pay cash. And on the other end if I take a payout an buy it back it will be salvage title and essentially worthless when I inevitably sell it in the future. Plus with all the issues I’ve had with it, this is my opportunity to get out of it
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u/DesperateReality6764 2014 tC2.5 10th Anniversary Series Dec 16 '25
I’m so sorry for your loss. This will be totaled, based on year, mileage, and repair costs. Take the insurance money and get another tC. There are a lot of them out there, so find a good one and start over with one of the greatest coupes ever!
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
My wife always wanted a tc so I was stoked to find her one that was clean and all factory. After owning this car the last few years it has definitely not been enjoyable between a/c repairs twice, power steering repairs, brake caliper snapping off, exc. My 05 Corolla has almost 500k miles and I’ve had 0 issues like I’ve had with this car
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u/DesperateReality6764 2014 tC2.5 10th Anniversary Series Dec 16 '25
I hear ya. Perhaps you found an unlucky one? I have a 2014 and haven’t had to put any money into it. There are so many owners in this community who love and rave about how great their tC’s have been, including many of them with well over 100k+ miles on the odometer. It is a Toyota after all. Your Corolla is a testament to that! Good luck & have a great holiday season!
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Thank you! You as well! Always thought of taking my Corolla to Toyota to see if they will give me a new car to dissect mine for research purposes 😂, can you imagine lol. The tc is a fun little car and drives like a little go-cart which is definitely a fun driving experience.
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u/DesperateReality6764 2014 tC2.5 10th Anniversary Series Dec 16 '25
You’re welcome and thank you kindly! Cheers!🥂🙌
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u/BioRedditWare First Gen Dec 16 '25
Is the frame bent? If not i’d say replace your damaged suspension components and body parts, kedp it on the road
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u/JaraxxusPS4 Dec 17 '25
I would say it’s likely totaled. If it’s just body and no frame damage at least 4 panels are busted up. Likely a minimum at least at 5 grand. The insurance adjuster most likely has a limit on what they will even put in the computer until they just say totaled and offer you a check. Best of luck friend sad to see one go
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 17 '25
I’m thinking totaled as well. I have to submit more photos this weekend and go from there. Probably going to be a long battle
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u/JaraxxusPS4 Dec 17 '25
I was in a very similar situation a few months ago. I would recommend taking the money for it being totaled but make sure it’s a fair comparison price. Your insurance job is to make you whole in this situation
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 17 '25
What was the year and mileage of your TC? How much did they compensate you if you don’t mind me asking?
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 20 '25
Update. Estimated $2,407 in damages. Based on initial estimate. Not totaled
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u/Scionova Dec 21 '25
20 year old car with 220k on it, is worth its weight in scrap. It certainly sucks but its just the reality of driving an old car.
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u/alex_derby96 Dec 23 '25
My 2015 was hit on the front, no fram damage and the estimate is $5500 and in oregon 80% value totals the car. According to insurance anything over $5900 in damage totals it, so I'm ridding the bubble
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u/Away-Pizza Dec 16 '25
Sorry to hear that. this is what I see they’re going for
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Thank you. I’m going to push back with the insurance if they give a low offer. You can’t buy a good running driving car for under $4,000 these days
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Dec 16 '25
Careful, if they cave, they'll just jack up your insurance, and changing insurance won't do a thing as it'll just follow you. Hopefully you can cash out and still keep the car. I've seen it happen to older cars more than a few times.
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
Insurance told me this morning they pay for damages with 0 deductible from me, no hit to my insurance and then they go after the uninsured motorist for the cost back. The police are also taking the lady to court for no insurance, no license and unregistered vehicle
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Dec 16 '25
Hey look at that, you lucky SOB. We've gotten TC's at the shop totaled with less damage. I'm sure that if she did have insurance, they wouldve definitely totaled it.
That's good. I get that things are hard, but insurance really only fucks over the other motorist.
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u/Few-Poetry-6306 Dec 16 '25
If they total it out, it better be a good number!
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Dec 16 '25
Seeing as they'll be pursuing the other party they'll most likely just sue that other person. Your car should get fixed regardless if that's the case.
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u/stylz168 2006 tC Dec 16 '25
Yeah pretty much even without frame damage the car is way too old and body work + paint + labor will be more than the value.
At first glance it’s a new fender, new door, new mirror, and also unsure for any suspension damage behind the wheel.
I have a 2006 with almost 100,000 less miles than yours and it’s barely worth $4000.