What to Do If Your Car is Declared a Total Loss After an Accident

Being told that your car is a "total loss" after an accident can be overwhelming. At Quattrochi, Torres, and Taormina, our experienced Auto Accident Attorneys and Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help you navigate this challenging situation. Here’s what you need to know if your car is declared a total loss and your insurance claim options.

An insurance company will declare your car a total loss when the cost to repair it exceeds its actual cash value (ACV). The ACV is the market value of your car at the time of the accident, not what you originally paid for it. This can be surprising, as vehicles depreciate quickly.

To determine your car’s ACV, insurers typically look at the sale prices of similar vehicles (same model year, make, condition, and options) in your area using tools like Kelley Blue Book. If you disagree with the insurer’s valuation, you can dispute it by providing evidence such as recent sale prices for similar cars.

When your car is declared a total loss, here are the steps you should take:

You can choose to keep your totaled car, but the insurance company will deduct its salvage value from the payout. Consider whether it’s financially sensible to keep a car that requires extensive repairs and reinsurance.

If you believe your car should not be totaled or disagree with the ACV, you can:

Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s ACV and the remaining balance on your loan, which can be crucial if you owe more than the car’s worth.

Learn what to do if your car is declared a total loss after an accident. Quattrochi, Torres, and Taormina explain your insurance claim options. Call for a free consultation.

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