Just Like A Good Neighbor: State Farm Joins Toyota Shake-Down

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

More and more Americans have recently detected that they have a rich uncle in Japan. The uncle’s name is Toyota. From LaHood to a bevy of lawyers, all have a yen for Toyota’s money. Latest (but surely not last) to join the fray: State Farm. You know, that same insurance company that had disclosed all those claims to NHTSA and never received an answer. They went public with the story a few days before the congressional hearings. Now we know why: Like a good neighbor, State Farms wants its money back.

“Armed with reports of accidents for which they’ve already paid claims, State Farm insurance has asked Toyota to repay them for any crashes related to unintended acceleration by its vehicles,” reports USA Today. The request for a little Farm Aid is just the beginning.

Other insurance companies are expected to – make that will follow and ask for money. In the trade, this is called “subrogation.” No, it’s not a kinky sex practice. It is a complicated matter on which a Wikipedia has a whole article, in case you are interested. Executive summary: The insurance companies did pay the claim, Toyota is supposed to hold the bag. To the tune of another $20m to $30m. If the insurers get their money back, customers who filed a claim may get their deductibles refunded. (Just make sure that you will.)

State Farm had sent a letter to Toyota in September 2007 asking it to pay for claims in an accident involving a 2005 Toyota Camry. State Farm wrote, “We are aware of several complaints to your company of sudden acceleration involving the Toyota Camry.”

The letter was copied to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA replied they had looked into similar complaints, starting in August 2006, and closed the investigation on April 3, 2007. State Farm wasn’t reimbursed.

What if Toyota refuses to pay? Easy, says USA Today: “The cost could trickle down to consumers, who could end up paying higher insurance rates for Toyota vehicles.” This gives the insurers more leverage than the law: Toyotas are cheap to insure at the moment. If it changes, it will hurt sales. Toyota must decide to settle now, or pay later.

Toyota has no comment.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Bobby72 Bobby72 on Aug 25, 2010

    State Farm is the worst insurance company ever!!!!!!!!!!! Wait untill something happens to your car and you will see how soon they will give your money back. though you would probably have to sue them anyway to get it back

  • Tonymart Tonymart on Aug 25, 2010

    Bobby72 You are absolutely right, except SF will probably keep your policy intact until the premium has expired then send you a cancellation notice as they did me. With neighbors like them who needs enemies.

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
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