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How much does body damage affect a car's value?
How much will body damage affect my car’s overall value? My car suffered some damage recently and I’m debating whether I should try to get it repaired or just cut my losses and buy a new vehicle.
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Body damage can affect a car’s value differently depending on the extent of the damage. If your car body is only slightly damaged, it can take 10 to 15 percent off of the book value. If the damage is more extreme, it can take 75 to 85 percent off of the value.
To determine your car’s book value before the body was damaged, you can use the
Kelly Blue Book
or a similar tool.Keep in mind that, if the damage is severe, your car will be considered totaled, even if it’s technically still fixable. If this is the case, consider selling your car to a junkyard for parts and purchasing a new vehicle. Totaled cars generally cost more to repair than they are worth, so you would be losing money by attempting to get the body repaired.
If your car body was damaged in a car accident or an act of God, you’ll probably be covered by your insurance policy. If you’re not happy with your current policy, check out
Jerry
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