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 does GEICO decide if a car is totaled?
I was recently in an accident and GEICO said my car was totaled. I'm not upset about taking the money for the car to buy a new one; it was about time to get a new one anyway. But I'm curious; how does GEICO decide if a car is totaled? It looked fine to me.
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“I’m so sorry about your accident, and I hope you’re alright!
GEICO
determines whether a car is totaled by comparing the cost of repairs and the salvage value against the actual cash value (ACV) of the car. If the repairs and salvage are more than the value, they’ll deem the car totaled.The ACV is different from the
retail value
of the vehicle. GEICO determines actual cash value by assessing:- Features, add-ons, and modifications
- Your vehicle’s mileage
- Damage before the claim incident
- Recent sales prices of similar vehicles in your area
While you’re shopping for a new car, here’s something to keep in mind—if your new vehicle has a higher ACV than the old one, your insurance might charge you a higher premium. If you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you need, try comparing your rates to other companies’ with the
Jerry
app. We’ll get you customized quotes from top-of-the-line providers so that you can make sure you’re getting the best deal on the coverage you need. And if you want to switch plans or providers, we can help with that too!Best of luck shopping for your new car!”
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 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
