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How does insurance decide to write off a car?
I got into an accident and my car is wrecked. I want to know whether my car is totaled or not. How does insurance decide to write off a car?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sorry to hear about your accident, but not all is lost!
Car insurance companies
write off a car or deem it a total loss when the cost of repairs exceeds its actual cash value; it’s nothing against you.The
actual cash value
is the value of the car minus depreciation, or at least that’s how car insurers figure the value for the purpose of payouts.If you need to look into the value of your car, look at sites like
Kelley Blue Book
or Edmunds. Both sites provide car valuations based on the current state of your vehicle.You could also get repair estimates from repair shops to see the cost of repairing your vehicle. With these two pieces of information, you can determine whether your car is totaled or not. Otherwise, you can call your car insurance company to speak with a claims adjuster. They can provide you with more information about your claim.
If your insurance rates increase as a result of the accident, don’t just settle for a higher rate. Use the
Jerry
app to compare quotes from over 50 insurers and get the best price for your coverage.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.
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