In Delaware, is my car insurance company supposed to pay for the cost of tax and title on my new vehicle after my car insurer decided to total my last car?

Thirty-two states require car insurance companies to pay for sales tax, title or registration fees after drivers replace their totaled vehicles. Unfortunately, Delaware is not among them.

But it never hurts to ask. Just because your state doesn't require insurers to reimburse customers for those costs after vehicles are totaled, doesn't mean companies will refuse to pay in every case. Policy language for collision and comprehensive coverage is often ambiguous, so the benefit of the doubt tends to favor the policyholder.

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Public policy is generally on your side as well if another driver was at fault for the crash that totaled your car and you're collecting from that motorist's insurance company. In that case, you should be able to collect all the costs you incurred directly from the crash, including those involved with purchasing a new vehicle after your old one is declared a total loss. In addition, your car insurance rates should not rise if the accident was not your fault.

Make your request quickly, though. There is sometimes a time limit, even in states that require insurers to reimburse consumers for these costs.

For more, see recouping expenses after your car is totaled.