You’ve Totaled Your Car. Now What?

by Collision Management

After a bad collision, you may learn that your car has been declared totaled. This means that the car has been deemed unfixable or that the cost of the repairs outweighs the car’s value. But who determines if a car is a total loss? And what can you do about it? Read on to learn more about what to do if your car is declared totaled.

Who Determines if a Car is a Total Loss?

Let’s say you’ve just been in a bad car accident and you file a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to check out the car and evaluate the damage. If the adjuster thinks the value of the car is worth less than the cost of repairs or if they believe the car simply cannot be fixed, they’ll conclude that the car is a total loss. At this point, it’s important to read over your insurance policy carefully to understand what you’re covered for and how reimbursement will work under your circumstances, like if you still owe money on a car loan. 

What Happens After it’s Declared Totaled? 

Once a car is declared a total loss, your insurance company will create an estimate of the actual cash value of what the car was worth immediately before the accident. They take into consideration factors like mileage, year, make, and model. If you think that the payout option they present to you is worth it, you can move forward with your claim. But what if you disagree with the assessment or amount offered? What if you don’t believe the car is a total loss? Can you get a second opinion? 

What If I Disagree? 

In many cases, car owners will disagree with the insurance adjuster’s assessment of the damage. It’s important to keep in mind that your insurance company is most likely prioritizing their budget over your best interests. This means that they might have ulterior motives when assessing your car’s damage. If you believe that the damage to your car is fixable or the cost of repairs doesn’t outweigh the car’s value prior to the accident, you have the legal right to get a second opinion or negotiate the offer presented by your insurance company. You can challenge the adjuster’s assessment by getting an independent appraisal with a repair shop that is not recommended by your insurance company. If you’re choosing this option, it’s vital that you work with an experienced and trustworthy car repair expert that can determine the true cost of repairs and if the car can be fixed. 

Who Can I Trust? 

For an honest assessment of what your car is worth, how severe the damage is, or if it’s fixable, contact Collision Management. Our collision experts not only provide you with a list of reputable and trustworthy repair shops that specialize in your car’s make and model, but they can also offer sound and unbiased advice on the best way to move forward. If you’ve been in a car accident and you don’t trust the way your car insurance company handling your claim, contact Collision Management today to get professional advice from the experts and recommendations on the best repair and auto body shops in South Florida.