Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How do I deal with my car insurance company if my car was totaled in an accident?

I got into an accident and the car insurance company deemed my car a total loss. I've never had to deal with anything like this before; what do I do now?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“I’m so sorry that your car was totaled—that’s always a horrible experience.
The first thing to do after a
car accident
is to call your insurance company as soon as possible. They’ll send out an adjuster to determine the actual cash value of your car if it is indeed totaled.
Once your
car insurance
deems the car a total loss, you will have to wait somewhere between seven and 45 days to get a check for the vehicle.
If you feel at any point that you’re not being adequately supported by your insurance company, remember, it is always okay to switch companies. One easy way to figure out if you could get better coverage or a better price is to use the
Jerry
app. We’ll send you customized quotes from multiple providers instantly so all you have to do is pick the plan that works best for you.
Best of luck with filing your claim, and hopefully you’re able to recover smoothly.”
View full answer 
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

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings