How to Know If a Car Is Totaled

If you have been in an accident, there is no need to wait weeks for your insurance company to let you know if your vehicle is a total loss. Learn how to determine if your vehicle is totaled by following the directions below.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Towing service (if your vehicle is not drivable)
• Calculator

1. Drive your vehicle (or have it towed) to an authorized collision repair center. Explain your situation to the representative and ask for a repair estimate. Plan to have someone pick you up; the repair center might not be able to get to your vehicle immediately.

2. Pick up your vehicle and get a copy of the repair estimate; you will need it to determine if your vehicle is a total loss. Most collision repair shops offer free estimates, but if the one you brought it to does not, you will need to pay the bill before getting the vehicle.

3. Determine the value of your vehicle before the accident. Insurance companies usually use the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) good condition retail value. You can get this information online at nada.com, or you can ask a dealer to look it up for you.

4. Calculate the damage percentage. To do this, divide the amount of the repair estimate by the value of your vehicle. If the damage percentage is higher than 70 percent, most insurance companies will declare the vehicle a total loss. If it is less than 70 percent, the vehicle will more than likely be repaired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this only as a guide; the insurance company will make the final decision on whether to declare your vehicle a total loss.

References

• Car Insurance Advice

Resources

• NADA