Being in a car accident can be a very scary and stressful situation. Unfortunately, all the stress of being in an accident doesn’t just go away once you leave the scene. After you’ve had time to recover, you have to decide if it’s worth repairing your vehicle (if it’s in working condition) or if it’s totaled.
Though this is something you’ll want to work out with your insurance company, a good rule of thumb is that if the damage of the car costs more than the value of the car, then it is totaled. So, for example, say your car is worth $3000, but it will cost $4000 to repair it. Then your vehicle is considered a total loss.
If your vehicle is considered “totaled” in an accident, your insurance company will not provide funds to repair it. Instead, they will give you money that matches the worth of your vehicle. The process of determining if your car is totaled may take up to a few days, but once your insurance company declares it a total loss, they will write you a check for the worth of your car.
Wondering what factors go into deciding the worth of your car? Let’s take a look at a few of the key ones.
Type of Vehicle
What type of vehicle you have will play a huge role in determining the value. High-end luxury vehicles and classic cars are treated differently than your average commuter vehicle because they depreciate differently in value. If there are more expensive features (moon roofs for example), that will also factor in.
Age of Your Vehicle
Another large factor in determining the value of your vehicle is how old it is. The general rule of thumb is that older cars tend to be worth less than newer cars, which estimates into the estimated vehicle value, which can tip the scales towards a vehicle being considered “totaled” if the damage is extensive.
Current Condition
Your insurance company will also take into consideration the condition of your vehicle. If the condition of your vehicle is below that of the average vehicle of the same age, then the worth will be lower.
Your insurance company will consider the vehicle type, age, and condition together to determine an estimated vehicle worth. This will then be weighed against the estimated cost of repairs that a local body shop can provide. If the cost to repair is more than that estimate, it’s considered total.
If you’re ever in a car accident, Adams Collision Service can help. If it isn’t totaled, we can offer body work to get your vehicle back in shape and road-worthy without having to put your life on pause. For more information on how we can help with accidents and claims, visit our website to learn more about our services, or give us a call at 847-961-5409. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook as well!
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