insure logo

Why you can trust Insure.com

quality icon

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.

Crashed your car? Bummer. Even worse is getting a call from your auto insurance company saying it’s a total loss and should go to the junk yard.

How to keep your totaled car

Your attachment to your vehicle may be sentimental. In some cases, your bond may be financial: you may not be able to replace the totaled car with the money your insurance company is willing to pay. There are options — learn more about what happens when your car is totaled and what to do if insurance wants to total your car but you want to keep it.

Key Takeaways

  • A car is totaled when the damage exceeds 65% to 70% of the vehicles market value.
  • The car’s market value is calculated by considering the model and year, mileage and condition, the demand for the car in your area and resale value of the parts.
  • You can keep the car after being totaled, wherein the insurer will pay you the car’s cash value minus any deductible due and the amount for which the car could have been sold to a salvage yard.
  • If a leased vehicle is totaled, you will receive leased vehicle’s value and are required to make any remaining payments to pay off the lease.

What does it mean when a car is totaled?

totaled carTypically cars are totaled when damage exceeds 65% or 70% of the vehicle’s market value. Rick Ward, director of auto claims for MetLife Auto & Home, says the standard for deciding when a car is a total loss varies by company and may be set by state regulators. You can find out the threshold by contacting your insurance agent.

Car insurance companies find that many older cars are simply not worth repairing.

“We determine the value of your car through market research,” explains Ward. “There are three software providers that provide vehicle valuations, Blue Book averages and what cars are selling for in your area through dealer networks.” But this software isn’t available to consumers.

Insight:

According to ISO data reported by the Insurance Information Institute, the average collision claim in 2019 was $3,750. The average auto liability claim for property damage was $4,525. If you think your totaled car is valuable enough to justify a repair, you can contest your insurance company’s decision to declare it a total loss, but be prepared to provide evidence that the car is worth the effort.

If you can demonstrate good maintenance and mechanical improvements, you may be able to win your totaled car a reprieve. Its age and mileage will be key factors.

What happens when insurance totals your car?

Obviously, it’s not the best news, especially if you really like the vehicle. In general, here’s the process of what happens when you total your car:

The insurer will calculate the car’s actual cash value (ACV). The ACV is how much your vehicle is worth after factoring in depreciation. On average, vehicles depreciate more than 20% the first year and approximately 10% each additional year for the first five years, according to Erie Insurance reports using Carfax data.

After that, the insurance company will calculate an estimate of the car’s market value, based on the make, model and year, mileage, and condition, as well as the demand in your area for the type of vehicle you have.

Another factor used to estimate the car’s value is the resale value of the parts and the metal.

If the cost of repairs plus the scrap value equals or exceeds the ACV of your car before the accident, then it is totaled.

What if insurance wants to total my car but I want to keep it?

If you decide to accept the insurer’s decision to total your car but you still want to keep it, your insurer will pay you the cash value of the vehicle, minus any deductible that is due and the amount your car could have been sold for at a salvage yard. It then will be up to you to arrange to make repairs.

“They will cut you a check,” says Ward, and then you’re on your own.

If my car is totaled can I still drive it?

Not immediately. In order to safely operate a totaled car, you will need to make major repairs. And remember, safety should be your primary concern when keeping a totaled car.

If damage to the totaled vehicle is mostly cosmetic, you may be able to fix it and drive it again for a modest cost. However, if fixing the car means reaching deep into your pockets, you may be better off letting it go.

There is a good reason why car insurance companies are cautious about fixing badly damaged cars, says Ward. “Cars are complicated. All damages are not visible. Once you start dismantling, often you find additional damage.”

You think twice about repairing and driving a car that has been seriously damaged. If the professionals who work for your automobile insurance company think the car is beyond repair for a reasonable cost, it probably is. Damage, such as cracks in frames or to airbags, often can’t be seen by just looking at a vehicle.

What to do when your car is totaled and you still owe money 

If your vehicle is totaled and you still owe money on the loan, the insurer will reimburse your lender for the car’s worth i.e the actual cash value of the car, and you will be left to pay off any remaining balance if the money paid by the insurance company is less than the loan amount.

If you have gap insurance, it will compensate for the difference between what the vehicle is worth and what remains on your loan. Otherwise, you will need to keep making payments from your pockets until the loan amount to be paid becomes zero.  

Finding car insurance for a totaled vehicle

Ward says you may run into trouble when you seek auto insurance for a car that has been declared totaled. Your ability to buy collision and comprehensive coverage may be affected.

“That is really up to each individual company,” he says. Before you decide to fix your car, check to see if that is an issue.” Some insurers will not accept a car with “a branded title,” he adds. “It basically puts a stamp on it that says it is a salvaged vehicle.”

Ward notes that the federal government has established a database called the National Motor Vehicles Title Information System to provide information to car shoppers. “All total losses are recorded by the insurance companies. What this does is provide consumers with a database to see if a car has been previously salvaged.” That means don’t count on being able to unload your vehicle on a buyer.

Is repairing a totaled car worth the effort?

Only you can decide whether repairing your totaled car is worthwhile. However, you should consider the expenses of repairing a car, and whether or not it is safe to drive the car. 

Insight:

“The best thing is to be well informed,” says Ward. “Talk to your mechanic. Do your research. Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.”

In a nutshell

When a car is totaled, it means that the damage to the vehicle is so severe that it would cost more to repair than the car is worth. This can be devastating for a car owner, especially if the vehicle is new or has sentimental value. However, you can still keep your totaled car if you’re willing to put in the work. Make sure you consider the expenses of repairing your totaled vehicle before you decide to keep it.

Frequently asked questions

Below are more details on what happens when a car is totaled.

How to determine if my car is totaled ?

If your insurance company says your car is a total loss (AKA totaled), it means the cost of repairing your vehicle is more (or close) than the car’s value. Your insurance company will pay you to replace the vehicle instead of repairing your totaled one.  

What happens when you total your car?

If you’ve been in a serious accident, the insurance company will run calculations on how much it would cost to repair your car vs. how much your car is worth. Cars are typically totaled when the damage exceeds 65% or 70% of the car’s market value. You’ll receive a check for the current cash value of the vehicle from your insurance company. The totaled car can be sold for pennies on the dollar as a salvage vehicle, donated, or you may keep it if you feel it’s worth repairing.

If the insurance company finds that the cost of repair is close to or greater than its market value, they will declare it a total loss and cut you a check for the vehicle’s cash value. You can use the insurance funds to purchase another vehicle, or to keep the totaled car and pay for the repairs yourself from the check. Keep in mind that insuring the totaled vehicle may be difficult or expensive in the future, not to mention the expense of the extensive repairs.

What happens if you total a leased car? 

Similar to what happens when your car is totaled, you’ll receive a check for the leased vehicle’s value. The problem is, you’ll owe the remaining payments to pay off the lease, which typically amounts to more than the vehicle’s cash value. You’ll need to come up with the difference out of pocket, unless you had gap insurance coverage for any shortfalls.

People also ask

Settling a total loss claim involves a few essential steps that help you receive compensation for your vehicle after it's been deemed unrepairable. Knowing these steps can make the process smoother and less daunting. Key steps in settling a total loss claim Assessment and inspection - An... Read More

Knowing the signs that suggest your car might be totaled can help you prepare for the aftermath of an accident. Being aware empowers you to make informed decisions. Indicators of a potential total loss Severe structural damage - It can be challenging and costly if your car's frame or... Read More

Insurance companies determine if a car is a total loss when the cost of repairs exceeds a certain percentage of the car's value. This evaluation involves several factors to decide the most cost-effective solution. Factors influencing total loss decision Repair costs - Insurers assess the... Read More

Totaling a financed car without insurance can have significant financial and legal consequences. It's crucial to know the potential outcomes to avoid these traps. Financial and legal implications Out-of-pocket expenses - Without insurance, you'll be responsible for covering the entire... Read More

If you have a financed car and it's declared a total loss, gap insurance can be helpful. It covers the difference between what you owe on your car loan and the car's actual cash value (ACV) determined by your insurance company. Gap insurance benefits and process Coverage of remaining... Read More

After your car is deemed a total loss and you're waiting for the insurance settlement, rental car coverage can be a lifesaver. It helps you drive a rental car for your everyday needs and errands. However, the coverage has its limits. Duration of rental car coverage During the evaluation... Read More

Insurance companies deem a car a total loss when the cost of repairs exceeds a certain percentage of the car's actual cash value (ACV) before the accident. This threshold varies across companies and states, typically between 70% to 100%. Factors leading to total loss decision Repair... Read More

If your car has been deemed a total loss after an accident, the cost of repairs exceeds its value. You can negotiate a fair settlement for your totaled car with your car insurance adjuster. Here are all you need to do to make the process smooth and easy.    Documenting the... Read More

author image
Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer

 
|
  

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.