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How do I know if my car is totaled?

I was out for an off-road drive last night and crashed my car. Everyone is fine, but my car is pretty beat up. How do I know if it’s completely totaled?

avatar
Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m glad to hear you’re okay! Whether or not your car is totaled depends on the value of your car and the level of damage.
A totaled car must cost more to repair than the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle. For example, if your car is valued at $40,000 but the damages are estimated at $50,000, your car would be considered totaled.
Each situation is unique, of course, so you won’t know the status of your car until the vehicle is fully examined. If your car is totaled, though, you should get a
payout
in about one month.
Next time you go offroading, make sure you have enough coverage to keep your car as protected as possible. To do this easily, check out the
Jerry
app—we’ll get you customized quotes from top insurers, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you choose one, we’ll even help you switch!
Best of luck with the repairs!
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