Home Car insurance Coverage My car was rear-ended and totaled but it was paid out by my insurance company and I am left with a balance on my car. Can I make a claim with the other drivers insurance company to pay the balance? My car was rear-ended and totaled but it was paid out by my insurance company and I am left with a balance on my car. Can I make a claim with the other drivers insurance company to pay the balance? View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area By Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. | Posted on July 14, 2014 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. No, you’re entitled to the actual cash value of your car, not what you owe on your car loan.. Auto insurance claims settlements are meant to make you whole by putting you financially into the same place as you were before the accident. Unfortunately, you had negative equity in your vehicle (owed more than it was worth) so being paid its worth the moment before it was crashed may not feel like being made whole. You ended up with a gap of what the value is and the balance due on your loan, which is your responsibility alone to pay for – unless you have gap insurance. Gap insurance is additional coverage that you can carry when you owe more than your vehicle is worth and if the car is totaled it will pay the difference between your vehicle’s ACV and your loan balance so you aren’t left still paying on a car you no longer can drive. Penny GusnerContributor  . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. QuickTake Non-owner car insurance: How to get car insurance if you don't own a car in 2024 Minimum car insurance requirements by state in 2024 Can I insure a car that isn't in my name? Can you drive with an expired license? Everything you need to know about insuring two cars Does car insurance cover hitting a deer? Do you need the VIN number for the insurance quote? What is full coverage car insurance? What is liability auto insurance? 15 things you didn't know your car and home insurance policies cover How auto theft investigators work - and how to hire your own What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage? Car warranties versus auto insurance How Does Gap Insurance Work and Do You Need it? Do you need full coverage on a financed car Veterans and military guide to insurance 5 questions to ask your car insurance agent "Stacking" your UM/UIM auto insurance coverage The secret life of your car's VIN 10 things that aren’t illegal but should be SR-22 insurance: What is it and how does it work? Auto insurance: How to make sure you’re not underinsured How to cut your car insurance bill in half 12 things you don't know about car insurance that could cost you Untangling your insurance during a separation or divorce My wife was half asleep when she went out to scrape snow and ice off her car. She used a snow shovel, not realizing she picked up the one with the sharp metal blade at the end, so she scratched the car all over. Will her car insurance cover the damage? As I was backing out of the driveway I hit a parked car that was parked beside the curb in the street causing what looked like mild damage. My vehicle had no damage. Will I have to pay a deductible? Don't let other people drive your car Taking the slow lane by storm: Insurance for low-speed vehicles Car insurance for blind drivers (you heard that right) Would I lie to you about car insurance? Only if it pays off Insuring your tricked-out, souped-up car See more > In case you missed it Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024 Car insurance rates by state in 2024 What is full coverage car insurance? How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2024? A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy in 2024 What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault Total warfare: What to do when your auto insurer totals your car Car insurance claims: Who gets the claims check? Used car insurance costs: Most and least expensive models to insure The Best Car Insurance for Bad Credit of 2021 The best car insurance companies for speeding tickets Car insurance after a DUI Guide to car insurance discounts Proper insurance coverage for college-bound children How to read actually understand your auto insurance policy Car Insurance Companies New driver insurance grace period: What you need to know How much do insurance agents make Autonomous cars: 5 delightful and 5 distressing things Busted! Part 1: How insurance companies spot bogus claims Insurance options for rideshare drivers 10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be 1/1 Get instant quotes now ! Please enter valid zip Get Quotes