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Can I replace my damaged car with a new car if I get into a not-at-fault accident?

Another driver ran a red light and hit me recently. My car's in bad shape, and I think I want to get a new one. Last time I was in a not-at-fault accident, the other driver's insurance just paid for repairs. This time, can the insurance company pay me for the value of my vehicle instead?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Sorry to hear you were involved in an accident—I hope everyone is okay!
Whether the other party’s insurance will write you a check or pay for the cost of repairs depends on a few different factors.
The
car insurance
company will first need to determine who was at fault.
If the other party’s insurance accepts liability, they will send out an adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle. At that point:
  • If the anticipated cost of repairs is greater than the
    actual cash value
    (ACV) of your vehicle, they will declare your car
    totaled
    and pay you the ACV.
  • If repairs will cost less than the ACV, the other driver’s insurance company will typically pay for the repairs.
So, you’ll need to wait until they have made their decision before moving forward with purchasing a new vehicle. If they do decide to repair your car, you can always trade it in or sell it to get a new vehicle.
We don’t have to tell you that accidents happen—and we hope you have better luck down the road! But the takeaway here should be to make sure your new ride is protected by great insurance. The
Jerry
app can help you find the perfect policy and avoid overpaying for it.
A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, Jerry will gather customized quotes from top name-brand insurance companies and deliver the best deals straight to your phone for free. And if you have questions, Jerry’s agents are just a text away.”
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