If you total a car that isn’t paid off, you could end up owing your lender more than your insurance settlement, unless you have gap insurance.
Unfortunately, the value of new vehicles depreciates quickly. When you factor interest into the equation, it isn’t uncommon for people to end up upside down on their car loans—owing more on the car than its actual cash value.
Car insurance
comparison shopping and broker app Jerry
has put together everything you need to know about what happens if you total a financed car. Of course, if you don’t want to find yourself in this undesirable situation, Jerry can help you find cheap car insurance
and coverage options that will keep you protected. So, read on to find out what happens if you wreck a financed car.
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What does it mean when a car is totaled?
A car is considered totaled when an insurance company decides that it will cost more to repair than it is worth. State requirements differ, but the damage will almost always have to be more than 60% of the car’s actual cash value.
In this case, your car will be deemed a total loss and you will receive an insurance payout, minus your deductible.
The payout will cover the car’s cash value just before the accident up to your policy limit. For instance, if the actual cash value of your totaled vehicle is $20,000 and you have a $1,000 deductible, you will receive $19,000 as your payout.
What happens if you crash your car on finance
In situations where a financed car is totaled, and isn’t fully paid off, your insurance company will either give the payout directly to your lender or make out a cheque for you to sign off to your lender.
If you don't owe more than the car is worth, your insurance company will pay your lender for the amount you owe. You can keep the rest of the settlement for yourself.
For example, if you owe $5,000 on your loan, you would get to keep $14,000 of a $19,000 payout.
Unfortunately, it’s also possible to end up owing a lender money on a totaled car that you no longer own. Since the value of new vehicles depreciates quickly, it’s not uncommon to end up owing more than the car is worth if your car is less than half paid off. The same is true if you have a longer-term loan or high interest rate.
If you owe $22,000 on the $20,000 car mentioned earlier, your total payout of $19,000 would go to your lender—but you will still owe an additional $3,000.
To avoid ending upside down on your car loan, it’s a good idea to invest in gap insurance
to help cover the difference if your car ends up totaled. Key Takeaway If your insurance payout doesn’t cover all the money you owe and you don’t have gap insurance, you will have to make up the difference out of pocket.
Will I still have to pay insurance on a totaled car?
No. Once a car is totaled, it doesn’t belong to you anymore—so you don’t have to pay to insure it.
But once you purchase a new car, you’ll need to find a new car insurance policy to go with it. If you’d rather leave the hard work of gathering quotes to someone else, use Jerry. This free app can collect quotes from more than 50 top insurance companies!
"All I had to do was give my phone number, and then Jerry jumped in and did the rest. Constant communication via push notifications and texts to let you know where you are in the process. You need to download this now. It’s awesome and puts $100 back in my pocket each month." - Satisfied Jerry User
Can I keep my totaled car?
You might be able to keep a totaled car,
but it’s usually not worth it. More often than not, insurance companies will simply auction off totaled cars. In some states, you may have the option to repurchase the vehicle. If this is the case, the insurance company will ask their usual salvage buyers to put in some bids to determine a fair market value. The market value of your totaled car will then be deducted from your insurance settlement.
Once you make a total loss on financed car, many states require a salvage title
. Vehicles with salvage titles are notoriously difficult to sell. The vehicle could be costly to repair and potentially dangerous to drive if the damage goes undetected. You’ll also pay higher insurance premiums and likely won’t be able to purchase collision or comprehensive insurance. Will car insurance cover the sales tax when replacing a totaled car?
In most cases, yes—but it depends on the specific insurance laws in the state where you live. If your sales tax is reimbursed, the value you are refunded for will cover the tax on your totaled car, not your new car.
If your state does cover you for sales tax when you purchase a replacement vehicle, your insurance company will reimburse you for the sales tax on your older totaled car. You may have to reach out to your insurance company to request this reimbursement, and some states have a 30-day time limit to do so.
Here are the total loss car insurance settlements and sales tax by state:
| Total loss car insurance settlements and sales tax |
|---|
| No state sales tax in Alaska. When the insurance policy provides for the adjustment and settlement of first-party auto total loss based on ACV or replacement with another of like kind and quality, the insurer must offer a comparable replacement a vehicle with all applicable taxes, license fees, and other fees paid. |
| When the insurance policy provides for the adjustment and settlement of a first-party auto total loss, the insurer must either (1) offer a replacement auto with all applicable "taxes, license fees, and other fees" paid, or (2) make a cash settlement which includes all applicable taxes, license fees, and other fees. |
| Insurer must offer a cash settlement based upon the actual cost of a "comparable auto", including all applicable taxes and other fees, or offer a replacement comparable auto including all applicable taxes, license fees, and other fees. |
| When the insurance policy provides for the adjustment and settlement of first-party auto total losses on the basis of ACV or replacement with another of like kind and quality, the insurer must pay sales tax. |
| Insurer must (1) offer a cash equivalent settlement based upon the ACV of a "comparable auto" including all applicable taxes and other fees, or (2) offer a replacement auto including all applicable taxes, license fees, and other fees. |
| If the policy provides for the settlement of first-party auto total loss, the insurer may elect to either (1) offer a replacement auto that is at least comparable including all applicable taxes, license fees, or other fees, or (2) offer a cash settlement based on the actual cost of a comparable vehicle, including all applicable taxes, license fees, or other fees. |
| Insurer is required to reimburse the insured with the ACV. This means either repairing the damaged item or replacing it with an item substantially identical including sales tax. |
| Motor vehicle sale and use tax is not due when an insurer takes title to the vehicle as a result of a total loss. However, motor vehicle sale and use tax are due when the insurer purchases a replacement vehicle for the insured on a total loss claim. |
Key Takeaway Check your state insurance laws to see if you’re covered for the sales tax on your replacement vehicle.
Finding the best insurance for a car with a loan
If you owe more on your loan than your car is worth, upgrading to gap insurance will help you avoid owing money on a totaled vehicle.
Even if you aren’t upside down on your payments, Jerry
will still help you find the best policy at the best price. The Jerry app is free and signing up takes about 45 seconds. As a licensed broker
, Jerry compares plans from more than 55 insurance companies to find users the best price for the coverage they need. Jerry can even help you cancel your old plan and sign up for the new one, all in the app. No long forms, no calling around, no hard work—just savings. The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Will totaling a car affect my credit score?
Not directly, but it could affect your score once your car loan is paid off. Eliminating one of your oldest and lowest loans might have a slightly negative effect on your credit score, while eliminating a loan that you still had a lot of money owing on may improve your credit score.
How do I get a new car after my old car is totaled?
You are free to shop for a new car as you please. Be sure to check in with your state requirements to find out if your insurance covers the sales tax on your new vehicle.
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