PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How do I keep my vehicle if my insurance company declares it a total loss?
My vehicle was deemed a total loss by my insurance. I think the damage is fixable and I'd like to keep it. How would I do that?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If you want to keep your vehicle after it’s deemed a total loss, you have a few different options! So don’t feel overwhelmed until you take a look at what’s available to you.
First, you need to negotiate with your
car insurance company
. Some companies will refuse to let you keep your vehicle and will only pay out the actual cash value of it. Others may agree to let you take ownership of your car, but won’t pay you the full value of your vehicle. You’ll likely receive a reduced settlement amount.If they agree to allow you to keep the vehicle, you will need to register it as salvage. Reach out to your state’s DMV to determine what steps you need to take to do this.
Make sure that your current car insurance company will still provide coverage on a salvage title. Not every company offers insurance on salvage vehicles. You may have to
request car insurance quotes
from other companies to see who will insure the vehicle.The cost to insure a salvage vehicle is often higher as well and many companies place a surcharge on salvage vehicles.
Before negotiating with your insurance company to keep your vehicle, be sure you can afford to maintain and insure a salvage vehicle. In some cases, you may be better off using the actual cash value of your vehicle to purchase a new one.
If you decide to take the actual cash value and purchase a new car, make sure you shop around for the best price on insurance with
Jerry
. Sign up in minutes to compare quotes from over 50 providers.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
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.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies