Insurance companies

Insurers to recoup Toyota recall crash claims

Insurance companies are gearing up to recoup from Toyota money they paid for claims in the crashes involving sudden acceleration, the subject of major safety recalls by the Japanese automaker. It could also mean money back for some drivers who paid deductibles.

At least six major insurers, including State Farm Insurance Cos., Allstate Corp. and Geico, have begun examining past claims involving the recalled vehicles, which number about 6 million in the U.S. and 8 million around the world. Insurers can request that Toyota pay them for the claim if a vehicle defect is proven to be a key factor in a crash, a long-standing industry practice known as subrogation.

Many insurers have begun notifying Toyota Motor Corp. that they will do just that.

"We're seeking to have them share in some of the financial liability, because part of it is their fault," said State Farm spokesman Phil Supple.

The move could repay some Toyota owners their out-of-pocket costs due to crashes but probably wouldn't have much of an impact on the premiums drivers pay. And it would mostly involve crashes in which people weren't seriously injured, because those cases frequently find their way into lawsuits.

Insurance companies typically refund deductibles - the amount a policyholder must pay before the insurance takes over - to their customers when they are repaid in such cases, officials of several companies said this week. None would release any financial estimates or the number of potential crashes, but given the sheer size of the Toyota recalls the liability could be in the millions of dollars.

State Farm has sought reimbursement from Toyota in cases where cars have sped out of control on their own at least as far back as 2007, according to a letter the company provided to federal regulators. The letter, dated Sept. 18, 2007, sought a formal Toyota investigation into a crash involving a 2005 Camry that surged forward at a stop sign and hit another car.

"We are aware of several complaints to your company of unexpected or sudden acceleration involving the Toyota Camry," the letter says. "Please accept this letter as notification of State Farm's rights of recovery for the damages we paid to both vehicle owners."

Toyota issued a limited floor mat recall in 2007, but it didn't cover the 2005 Camry at issue in the State Farm letter. In the past few months, the automaker has issued two unwanted acceleration recalls for several of its popular models, one to fix floor mats the company says can jam floor pedals and one to repair what it calls a problem with pedals that can stick. Prius hybrids have also been recalled for brake issues.

A Toyota statement declined comment on the insurers' attempt to recoup claims but added it was "a common practice in the automotive industry," which was echoed by Allstate spokesman Mike Siemienas.

"This is business as usual for Allstate," he said.

Experts say most insurers have agreements with automakers to negotiate a confidential settlement over defect-related claims - and automakers such as Toyota usually have insurance to cover most of the costs. Toyota declined to comment beyond its statement.