-
Total Loss
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you must file an insurance claim with your car insurance company. A “total loss” claim is filed when the vehicle is damaged beyond repair, or when it would cost more to repair the vehicle than what the vehicle is worth.
Purpose of a Total Loss Claim
The purpose of a total loss claim is to compensate you--the vehicle driver--for the cost of replacing your totaled car. The exact amount of a total loss settlement depends on the estimated worth of the totaled vehicle, and the estimated cost of purchasing a like-model car of the same year.
Negotiating a Total Loss Settlement
Yes, total loss settlements are negotiable. If you feel that your auto insurance company is not offering a fair settlement, consider taking one or more of the following steps:
- Hire an independent appraiser to appraise the worth of the totaled vehicle.
- Submit receipts for repairs and replacement parts for the vehicle.
- Request a written statement saying that your claim can be reopened if you are unable to replace the vehicle for the settlement amount within 35 days.
- Hire an attorney or independent arbitrator to plead your case in court.
Be aware that hiring an appraiser, attorney or arbitrator will require additional spending. Prior to taking these steps, consider the difference in what it will cost to hire a professional attorney or appraiser and the settlement amount you wish to receive. Consult the yellow pages or search online for attorneys specializing in auto insurance claims.
Obtaining a Salvage Title
If you would like to retain your totaled vehicle, you might be required to obtain a salvage title, depending on the state you currently reside in. Contact your local DMV office for more information regarding salvage title requirements.
In This Section
Other Topics in This Section
- Auto Accident Payment Recovery
Info On Auto Claims And Auto Accident Payment Recovery. Look Online For Car Insurance Info And How To Handle Accident Claims With An Auto Insurance Company.
- Proof of Loss
Learn More On Proof Of Loss If You Are Involved In An Auto Accident. Handling Auto Claims With An Auto Insurance Company Can Be Intimidating. Find Car Insurance And Total Loss Info Online.
- Subrogation
Get Info On Subrogation And How A Car Insurance Company Tries To Recoup Auto Accident Expenses. We Cover Helpful Auto Claim And Car Insurance Details.
- Actual Cash Value
Learn More About Getting The Actual Cash Value When Making Auto Claims. We Simplify Info On Accident Claims, Car Value And Car Insurance If You Are Involved In An Auto Accident.
- Lost Wages
Get Online Info On Handling Auto Claims If You Suffer Lost Wages After A Car Accident. We Cover How To Deal With Accident Claims And Auto Insurance Companies To Recoup Lost Income.
- Salvage Vehicles
Info On Salvage Vehicles And Accident Loss. In Some Cases An Auto Insurance Company Will Declare A Car A Total Loss After An Auto Accident. Get Tips On Handling A Salvage Vehicle Situation.
Insurance Resource Center
-
Shop For Insurance Online
-
Insurance State Requirements
-
Auto Insurance Center
- Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Top Reasons To Buy Insurance Coverage
- Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Buying Car Insurance Basics
- Buying Car Insurance For Teens
- Teen Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Get Car Insurance Coverage With A Learners Permit
- First Time Drivers Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Save Money On Teen Car Insurance
- Common Driving Mistakes Teens Make
- Safe Driving Tips For Teenage Drivers
- Safe Cars For Teen Drivers
- How To Add Teens To Your Auto Insurance Policy
- Tips for Car Insurance Policy Holders
- Types Of Auto Insurance Coverage
- Buying Car Insurance For Seniors
- Senior Guide To Car Insurance
- Extended Insurance Coverage Guide
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Auto Insurance Coverage
- When To Buy Rental Car Insurance
- How To Cover Vandalism Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Auto Theft Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Windshield Repair Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Accidents With Wildlife Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Lost Wages Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Medical Expenses Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Pet Injuries Through Car Insurance
- How To Avoid Auto Insurance Non Renewal
-
Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements
- Commercial Auto Insurance State Requirements
- Federal Motor Carrier Insurance
- CDL Federal Requirements
- Commercial Insurance Filing
- State Commercial Insurance Filings
- Federal Truck Filings
- Intrastate Truck Filings
- Interstate Transportation Filings
- Certificate Of Insurance
- Uniform Carrier Registration Plan
- Types Of Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance Discounts
- Multiple Policy Discount For Commercial Vehicles
- Paid In Full Commercial Vehicle Insurance Discount
- Commercial Business Experience Discount
- Commercial Auto Insurance Quotes
- Commercial Auto Insurance Articles
- Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance
- Types Of Commercial Vehicles To Insure
- How To Save Money On Commercial Auto Insurance
- What You Need For A Commercial Insurance Quote
- Types Of Business Vehicle Insurance
- How To Compare Commercial Insurance Quotes
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage
- Types Of Commercial Trailers To Insure
- Online Commercial Auto Insurance
-
Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Types Of Motorcycle Coverage
- Accessory Coverage For Motorcycles
- Comprehensive Physical Damage Insurance For Motorcycles
- Collision Insurance For Motorcycles
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Property Damage Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Medical Payments Insurance For Motorcycle Riders
- Personal Injury Protection Insurance For Motorcyclists
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Motorcycle Roadside Assistance
- Motorcycle Insurance Quotes
- Motorcycle Insurance Rates
- Motorcycle Insurance Discounts
- Online Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Articles
- Motocross Insurance
- Dirt Bike Insurance
- Moped Insurance
- Trike Insurance
- Scooter Insurance
-
Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Auto Insurance Deductible
- Auto Insurance Limit
- Auto Insurance Premium
- Auto Insurance Quote
- Auto Insurance Rates
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Proof Of Financial Responsibility
- Auto Insurance Endorsement
- Auto Insurance Exclusion
- Auto Insurance Rating
- Auto Insurance Code
- Auto Insurance Discounts
- Auto Insurance Glossary
- How To Obtain Proof Of Insurance
- How To Change Auto Insurance Providers
- Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
- How To Cancel An Auto Insurance Policy
-
Insurance Claims
- When An Accident Happens
- Accident Loss
- Auto Accident Payment Recovery
- Total Loss
- Proof of Loss
- Subrogation
- Actual Cash Value
- Lost Wages
- Salvage Vehicles
- How To File An Accident Report With The Police
- Evaluating Personal Injury In Auto Accidents
- First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident
- When To Seek Medical Attention For Personal Injury
- Protection Against Auto Insurance Fraud
- How To Handle Staged Car Accidents
- Types of Insurance Claims
- Bodily Injury Claims
- Property Damage Claims
- Windshield Claims
- Third Party Insurance Claims
- About Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Claims Affect Your Auto Insurance Policy
- When To Cover Personal Injury With Auto Insurance
- How Much Personal Injury Protection To Buy
- Supplementing Health Insurance With Personal Injury Protection
- Pain And Suffering In Personal Injury Claims
- Statute Of Limitations And Personal Injury
- Negligence And Determining Legal Liability
- Auto Insurance Claim Settlements
- Auto Insurance Settlements Involving Personal Injury
- Proving Fault In An Auto Accident Personal Injury Case
- Compensation For Auto Accident Personal Injury Claims
- Tips For Settling A Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
- Factors That Affect Compensation In Personal Injury Claims
- Legal Representation For Insurance Claims
- When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
- When To Hire A Lawyer
- Personal Injury Attorney Fees
- How To Choose Personal Injury Lawyers
- Benefits of Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney
- What To Submit To A Personal Injury Attorney
- Processing Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Handle Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Investigate Accident Claims
- How To Document Auto Accident Damage
- When To Report An Auto Accident To The DMV
- Tips On Documenting Personal Injury Expenses
- Paying Medical Bills Before Receiving Personal Injury Compensation
- Wage Loss In Personal Injury Auto Accident Cases
- How To File A Loss Of Wages Auto Claim
- Stages Of A Personal Injury Case
- Filing Car Insurance Claims
Shop Online for Insurance
We put a lot of effort into making our content helpful & accurate. Please let us know if you see something that isn't clear or correct; we are here to ease any frustrations you may have while navigating DMV topics. We are not a government agency, please reach out to your local DMV, insurance agent, or respective professional for further assistance on specific situations.
