So After I was rearended a few weeks ago my xB went to the body shop and was repaired very nice job I am happy that it came out good, BUT ever since I have had it back I have noticed that when I get in after the car has been sitting for a while and start the engine its alot louder than normal and when I shift into drive there is a rattling sound that comes from behind the lower center of the dash. now befor the accident if my car was on and just ideling I could hardly tell it was on. I got stoped by a cop and forgot to turn the engine off and he couldnt even tell I left it running. Needless to say I have a problem. I just want my car back to how it was befor the accident, I am going to call my insurance adjuster tomorow and see what she says about it and what I should do.

 

They might end up giving you crap about not reporting these noises sooner, even though you just started to notice it. Good luck.

 

yeah thats what Im afraid of! I just called my rep and left her a message to call me in the morning.

 

more often than not, it sounds like i ran over a tree branch when i put it in gear when the car first turns on.

is that what you mean?

 

I use to work insurance auto claims a while back. Since I don't know how bad the accidednt was, I can give you general suggestions:

1) Advise the insurance company and body shop. They might think your crazy and that it is not related, but inform them none-the-less, so it is documented.

2) Go to the dealership and start a claim. Don't tell them you were in an accident and see what they find. It should be under warranty anyways, so it shouldn't cost you anything. Maybe a deductible, I don't know if Toyota does that or not.

If the dealer finds something odd and comes back to you saying we found this or that how it got broke we don't know, but we fixed it then your good. If they say, "This vehicle appears to have been in a accident and it is a direct relation and we can't cover it under the warranty, well, get the dealer to document that. Take that document to the insurance company and/or body shop directly.

Now, what will happen is, the body shop will have to deal with the insurance company and provide the document to them stating the dealer has related it to the accident and the shop will submit a supplement to the insurance company for the repair cost.

If you go through the insurance company directly, they may just advise you to go to the dealer, have it fixed and we will reimburse you directly.

Make sure everything is documented so you "CYA"

Good luck. BTW, I wonder if it is some type of broken mount?

 

Wow thanks for the info

as for the tree branch no its more of a rattling not a scratching(what I would think a dragging tree branch to sound likee) but I would get that looked at dosnt sound good!


I just got a call back from my insurance lady and she told me to take it to the body shop where her inspector was and he would let me know where to go from there. my problem is that Im slammed busy with work right now and dont have much time to take it in. I have to call the guy see when I can get it in to him.

 

Check the lines that run down the firewall in the engine compartment. This rattle sounds like one people have had when one of the lines pops out of its clip.

I wouldn't get the dealer involved. If you go in for something like that and they determine it was from your accident, you'll probably get charged shop time...

 

Better sooner than later because if the damage gets worse and cause damage to something else, the insurance company may not cover the additional damage claiming they gave you the opportunity, but you procrastinated or failed to act in a timely manner. Thus allowing the issue to worsen and cause the additional damage. At which point they may only give you a percentage of the cost of repair.