PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How can I fight my insurance company about a totaled car?
My car was totaled in an accident. My insurance is offering me an incredibly low settlement. How do I fight to get a better settlement amount?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Getting a number back from your insurance that doesn’t match your expectations is incredibly frustrating. However, negotiation is a normal part of a
car insurance claim
process.Since you feel the settlement amount from your insurance is low, start by looking into the
actual cash value
of your vehicle. You can do these by looking at car websites or similar vehicles for sale in your area on sites such as Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or Autotrader.Kelley Blue Book
and Edmunds are great resources to help you determine what the value of your vehicle is while Autotrader allows you to search the prices of similar cars.From there, you’ll want to see what the difference in the settlement amount is. If you still feel it’s unfair, go back to your insurance company with a number you feel is.
If you’re still having issues, you have the option of hiring an independent claims adjuster or a lawyer. An independent claims adjuster is an unbiased third-party that can validate a settlement amount. A lawyer can help you negotiate with your insurance.
Ideally, you should be able to come to an agreement with your insurance that meets your expectations.
If you are looking for a new insurance company after this process, shop around or use
Jerry
. Jerry collects quotes from top providers to ensure you’re getting customized coverage for the best rate.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance for Your Car
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
