After your vehicle sustains damage one of the first questions you may ask is whether it is totaled. If fixing the car costs more than it was worth before the incident — its market value prior to the crash. Lenders and insurers apply this rule to determine if a vehicle is economically repairable.
Begin by learning how insurers assess your vehicle’s worth.
Insurers evaluate the brand, trim level, age, odometer reading, overall condition, and regional pricing trends.
Online resources like Black Book and TrueCar offer reliable ballpark figures based on current market data.
These sites give you a range based on private sale and trade-in values.
Even if repairs seem straightforward, dig deeper into the true cost.
Surface-level fixes may mask serious underlying issues.
Professionals examine the unibody, steering components, braking system, and safety modules.
Damage to the crumple zones, radiator support, or electronic safety controls can drive costs skyward.
Most insurers apply a total loss formula based on a fixed percentage of the vehicle’s value.
Some states set the bar as low as 50%, while others allow up to 90% before declaring a total loss.
For example, if your car is worth 10,000 dollars and the repair estimate is 7,500 dollars or more, it may be declared totaled.
Consult your state’s department of insurance for legally binding guidelines.
Don’t rely only on the insurance company’s assessment.
You have the right to submit counter-evidence to support a higher value.
Include maintenance logs, aftermarket additions, and recent detailing receipts.
Engage a third-party appraiser accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
If your car is declared totaled, the insurance company will offer you a settlement based on the vehicle’s actual cash value minus any deductible you owe.
Keeping the totaled vehicle means you handle restoration costs and navigate state DMV requirements for Skrota krockad bil – det här ska du tänka på rebuilt titles.
Remember, a totaled car doesn’t mean it’s worthless.
It simply means the cost to fix it is not economically sensible.
Armed with knowledge, you can advocate for fair compensation when your vehicle is declared a total loss
