How to Know if Your Vehicle Was Totaled After an Accident
When you’re involved in a car accident, it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate aftermath. You might be dealing with injuries or other consequences of the crash and don’t have time to think about what comes next. Soon after, it’s important to understand whether or not your vehicle has been totaled.
If your car is considered “totaled,” it means that its estimated cost to repair it would be more than its value as a trade-in at an auto dealer (or private party). In other words: It has no worth now that it’s been damaged beyond repair by an accident or natural disaster.
What is a Totaled Vehicle?
A totaled vehicle is a car that’s been damaged beyond repair. If your car has been declared a total loss by your insurance company, you’ll need to decide what to do with the vehicle before moving forward with any claims or repairs. When determining whether or not to repair your car after an accident (or if you should just get another one), several factors come into play, like the cost of repair versus buying new, and your insurance company’s requirements for getting reimbursed for repairs.
Signs of Damage After an Accident
The following are common signs of damage after an accident:
- Exterior damage, including dents and scratches.
- Interior damage, such as broken glass and torn seat covers.
- Mechanical damage, such as bent wheels or suspension parts that have been damaged beyond repair.
- Airbag deployment (if you have one)
Inspecting Your Vehicle for Damage
When inspecting your vehicle for damage, take pictures of all sides. Doing so will help you later when filing a claim or talking with an insurance adjuster. You should also assess the damage by looking at each part of the car and determining whether it needs repair or replacement. Have a professional inspect your vehicle so they can give you an estimate on how much repairs will cost.
How Insurance Companies Determine if a Vehicle is Totaled
When insurance companies determine whether a vehicle is totaled, they consider the cost of repairs and the age of your car. If it’s older than ten years, it could be challenging to find parts and expensive to repair.
If you want to know if your car is a total loss after an accident, talk with an agent at your insurance company, or visit your trusted auto body repair facility. They’ll help you decide whether it makes sense for them to pay out on this claim!
What to Do if Your Vehicle is Totaled
Ensure you have rental car insurance to help get you around while your vehicle is in the shop. You’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company if your vehicle is totaled. This will help them pay for repairs or give you money towards another vehicle purchase.
The Impact of a Totaled Vehicle on Your Insurance Rates
If you’re involved in an accident, and your car is deemed a total loss, it will affect your insurance rates. The impact depends on the type of coverage you have and how long it takes for your insurer to determine what kind of payout they’ll give you:
Higher premiums: If your car was totaled because of an accident, then yes—your premiums will likely be higher than if it wasn’t. This is because insurers consider accidents more costly than other forms of damage (such as hail or vandalism). They also factor in things like whether or not another driver was at fault for causing the crash when determining how much extra money they should charge their policyholders each month.
Increased deductibles: In addition to paying more for their monthly premiums, people who’ve had their vehicles declared “totaled” are sometimes required by their insurers’ policies to pay higher deductibles before receiving any compensation from them after filing a claim following an accident involving their vehicle being totaled by another party’s negligence.
What to Do with a Totaled Vehicle
If your vehicle is totaled, there are several options to move forward. You can sell the car for parts or donate it to charity. If you want to avoid selling or donating your car yourself, contact a tow company that will pick up your vehicle and take care of everything else for you. If you decide not to have your vehicle towed away, ensure it’s secured, so no one drives into it while trying to escape an accident scene.
Conclusion
If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to know the signs of a totaled vehicle. A car can be considered totaled if it has suffered extensive damage and cannot be repaired. If your car is deemed a total loss, you will need to decide whether or not it’s worth repairing and how much money should be put into repairs before selling the vehicle as scrap metal.
Have you been in an accident in the Front Range of Colorado? Trust us with your repairs! Contact us today.
