Wiring harness cost, wtf!?

Have a squirrel problem in the neighborhood. Just got a quote from a dealership in Austin to replace the wiring harness on my '19 4runner.

$5400 !!!

Putting it out to the community for an opinion. Is that out of line?

I had to do the same to an F350 a few years ago for $1200.

BTW, in case anyone is wondering, full geico coverage does not cover that.

And finally, can anyone recommend a repair shop in Austin that can do this repair. Inspection is due and can't clear an engine check light w/o the new harness, so the 4runner is an anchor until it gets fixed.

Thanks in advance.

{edit: nice to see the dealership is watching this thread}

 

Mine was $9K for a new engine harness from rodent damage but my comprehensive covered it. If it’s just the injector wiring then you can purchase the pigtails and have a competent mechanic solder them in.

 

Yikes! Sorry for your trouble and expense.

 

At first I thought "well, there's your problem - you live in Australia!" then read on to find out you live in Austin...

I don't get why Geico wouldn't cover that.

 

I don't have much to add besides Geico being the absolute worst insurance company to deal with. That company will dip dodge duck dive dodge to get out of paying out as much as they can.

For comparison, I had an energy drink explode under my passenger seat, causing all kinds of electrical issues with the airbag system. My insurance (not Geico) covered it with a rental no problem.

 

Welcome.

That cost is not out of line at the dealer. You can try an independent shop for comparison. I'm surprised that your comprehensive coverage doesn't pay for it. Read through that section of your policy with a fine tooth comb.

 

C'mon now, Warren Buffett can't stay rich if Geico started paying for repairs. So when are you changing insurance crooks?

Go to an indie shop that can do wiring repairs. You can also DIY with a few crimp & seal connectors and split loom. Rock Auto has injector harness pigtails if you have wires damaged at the connector.

 

That's why I don't use cut rate insurance.

Still I think comprehensive should cover that. I'll be looking for new insurance company if I were you.

 

Smash the Gekko

 

Buy a cat

 

Why would this be covered by insurance, because it's expensive?

 

What is comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance coverage is defined as an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events that are outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature. Though often referred to as "comprehensive insurance," comprehensive coverage refers to a specific coverage on an existing policy, not a separate type of insurance. Note that lenders may require you to carry comprehensive when you finance or lease a vehicle.

 

So, what does the policy cover, or more importantly, not cover? Everyone gets a copy of the policy/dec page when they purchase a policy. Why would you think it's covered?

Saying something as broad as posted above isn't much different than saying insurance pays for damage, so it's covered, right?

 

Having spent 12.5 years as a tech (master tech and shop foreman) and about 20 in automotive as a whole. It was a rare to have a day without at least 1 car with rodent damage. I’ve seen them eat countless amounts of wires, vacuum lines, coolant hoses, fuel line, the back of a headlight assembly, the rubber grommet sealing the steering column to the firewall, air filters, the vent hose on the transmission, even the plastic battery case! If the estimate exceeded it was claimed through in comprehensive insurance. Not once did I ever see an insurance company deny the claim.

 

Well you got me beat. I let my tech certs (ASE) lapse before I got to 12.5 years, including my "B" certs (damage analysis and estimating), and although I was able to get out of the auto industry before I hit 20 years, I did work as a claims adjuster for two of the largest insurers in the US, and one of the largest dealer networks in the US.

I would still ask the question(s), and rely on my policy docs, to determine what is covered and what is excluded. It's cool that not once did you ever see an insurance company deny a claim. My experience as an adjuster is they will always determine liability where appropriate, and confirm coverages, before paying a claim. You do that starting with the policy docs.

 

Anyone recommend there favorite rodent protection? I think peppermint spray is the solve just not sure if there is a "best".

 

Yes, obviously the contract only covers what the contract says it covers… but let’s not pretend that it wouldn’t be logical to assume rodent damage would be covered by comprehensive.

 

There are multiple lengthy threads on this forum covering that exact subject.

 

But it isn't covered by comprehensive, is it.

 

Why would rodent-chewed wiring be any different than running into an animal on the highway? Both are damage caused by an animal.

 

I assume the OP will be able to more specifically answer your question, but if I were to guess, one is covered and the other is excluded, and that's the difference.

 

Reason #94599384 I wont use Geico.

When wife was just the gf she had Geico. Got rear ended completely other drivers fault and they tried to not cover her repairs. Was even telling her she needs to call the other drives insurance co.

I've always had State Farm and they take care. No questions asked and go after the other drivers insurance on their own.

 

@Dillusion they probably told her that so she could get a rental and not have to pay a deductible.

A (first-party) person's insurance company is contractually obligated to abide by the contract. If your g/f had a deductible, her insurance company would be contractually obligated to "deduct" that amount from the total repair cost. If she did not have rental car coverage, they wouldn't cover that; however, a third-party insurance carrier, found to be at fault (accepting liability) would be legally required to provide basic transportation (rental coverage) while her vehicle was being repaired.

It is almost always financially better to pursue a claim through the third-party/at-fault insurance carrier. If Geico told her she should pursue the claim through the other person's carrier, it was probably because it would be a lot easier for your g/f to be fully compensated for her damages as the other carrier would be legally required to pay more than Geico would have been under the contract. Now, that's not to say Geico wasn't being lazy or the insurance adjuster didn't want to add one more claim to their workload, but it's very probable that their concern was also to "protect" your g/f interests by having her pursue the other carrier. I would have explained all of that to your g/f and been really clear about it, then asked her what she wanted to do, but I certainly would have made sure she understood she would get more money from the third-party carrier because they wouldn't be contractually obligated to "deduct" or were not required to pay for, the total value of the claim.

Insurance is state-specific, regulated by each state, and therefor isn't always handled the same way based on where you live, or by the carrier/contract. I'm just using my experience as a claims adjuster to respond, but YMMV.

 

An ounce of reading comprehension would reveal I didn’t say it was…

 

Must not have been fully comprehensive comprehension.

 

That same ounce of reading comprehension is why it isn't logical to assume rodent damage would be covered by comprehensive, which is what you said. It isn't logical to assume rodent damage would be covered by comprehensive, since the OP said in the very first post that it isn't covered.

You win though, ok.

 

I removed the engine cover and spray Grandpa Gus' peppermint oil ever since I had this issue. I also regularly wash my engine which I have been doing for years on many vehicles anyway.

 

What is comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance coverage is defined as an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events that are outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature. Though often referred to as "comprehensive insurance," comprehensive coverage refers to a specific coverage on an existing policy, not a separate type of insurance. Note that lenders may require you to carry comprehensive when you finance or lease a vehicle.

Also 1938 4Runner? Spammer is obvious.

 

Regardless of policy language, or exclusions?

 

Read the contract of your policy. It should be in there.