How Do I Know if My Car is Totaled?
Even minor accidents can lead to significant car damage that will end up costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you have been in a car accident and have collision insurance coverage, your insurance will likely cover the cost of repairs for your car. Sometimes, however, the cost to repair the car exceeds the car’s value. In these cases, the car will likely be declared totaled by your insurance company, and you will receive a check for the value of your car. If you do not currently have car insurance, it is extremely important to get coverage immediately to ensure that you have at least minimal protection in the event of an accident.
Avoid Using the Word “Totaled” Prematurely
After your accident, you may be able to tell roughly how badly damaged your car is, but it is often difficult to tell what the total repair cost will be at first glance. In fact, it is better to not try to estimate costs and to avoid using the word “totaled” when describing the damage to the insurance company. “Totaled” is a quantitative term, and a car can only be deemed totaled once all of the repair costs have been added up. If you tell your insurance company that you believe the car is totaled, they may suspect you of insurance fraud or may believe that you are trying to get out of repairing your car in exchange for cash.
Adding Up Repair Costs
Your local body shop can determine the total cost of repairs that your vehicle will require to get it back into working condition. If the frame of your car has significant damage, the vehicle won’t start, or there is substantial damage to the transmission, your vehicle is likely totaled. The mechanic will compile an estimate, which your insurance company will compare against the current value of your vehicle to determine whether they will invest in repairs or write you a check for your vehicle.
Contact Us
To learn more about insuring your vehicle against car accidents and affordable insurance options available to you, contact the Chicago auto insurance professionals of Insure on the Spot today at 1-888-972-SAVE.