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How can I total my car for an insurance payout?

I'm behind on bills and recently lost my job. Having some extra cash would be really helpful right now. I know you can get money from your insurance if your car is totaled in an accident. How can I total my car for a payout?

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Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Purposefully totaling your car for an insurance payout is consider fraud and illegal. While it may seem like a great idea, you can end up in jail or pay huge fines that can exacerbate your already tough financial situation.
When you file a claim with your
car insurance company
, a claims adjuster reviews the damage and accident. Through analyzing the car accident and damage, adjusters can tell when you’ve damaged the car on purpose.
If caught, you will face fines and possible jail time. Additionally, the insurance company will
deny your claim
and cancel your policy. With insurance fraud on your record, finding another company to insure your vehicle becomes almost impossible.
Beyond that, you won’t have a car which could add to your financial hardship, making your life more difficult.
If you want to save money, a better plan is to use the
Jerry
app. Jerry is an insurance broker that allows you to compare quotes from over 50 insurers so you always get the best rate possible.
View full answer 
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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.

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