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How do I negotiate with my car insurance company about my total loss car?
My car is reliable and always has been, but it’s old and not worth very much. I got into an accident, and the car insurance says it’s a total loss, which apparently means my car is gone now. How can I negotiate with my car insurance company to get my car back? I can fix it; I know I can.
Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear about your car.
Your car insurance company has to offer you the
actual cash value
of your car. This is how much your car was worth before the accident. To be deemed a total loss, the repair cost is between 60% and 90% of that actual cash value. Some states do not allow you to keep a total loss car, but you can ask your insurer to double-check. Let your insurance company know you want to keep your car, and they should give you the steps needed to keep it. This will change the amount of money you would be getting back as they would subtract the deductible and the salvage title amount. A car having a
salvage title
means you can’t drive it yet. Once you fix up your car and the local DMV inspects it, they will determine whether or not it’s safe to drive again. If they do, you’ll be issued a
rebuilt title
. Rebuilt titles can be harder to insure, but you can use the
Jerry
app to compare the top 50 insurance companies, and if you have any questions on insuring your rebuilt car, you can text one of our licensed brokers in the app if you have any questions. The average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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