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How do I determine if my car is a write-off?
I got into a small accident, and my wife is saying they might have to write off the car. There isn’t that much damage, but it’s an old car! How can I determine whether or not my car is a write-off?
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m sorry to hear about your accident! It’s true that your car can be declared a total loss even if the damages are technically fixable. But car companies declare your car totaled when the cost of repairs is worth more than the car.
That means that if the price of repairing your car combined with the salvage value is more than the cost of repairs, it’ll be declared a
total loss
. While you’re free to buy back your car and try to fix it up, totaled cars typically have low values and won’t be worth the effort. It can be frustrating, but your best option may be to accept the payout and start looking for a new car.
While you’re looking for a new car, it’s a good time to look for a new car insurance policy with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app can help you compare personalized quotes from over 50 top providers like Progressive and Nationwide for free. When you find a better plan, Jerry can help you buy your new coverage and even help cancel your old policy!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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