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If my car was hit by someone else, will their insurance company pay for the damages if I decide to junk it?

"I drive an old (2006) car and my car was damaged pretty badly when someone hit me at a stop sign. I'm considering junking it and buying a new car, but if I do this, will the other driver's insurance still pay for the damages?"

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Sophie Newman · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Your best bet is to let the
car insurance company
decide whether or not your car is a total loss or can be repaired. If the cost of repairs is more than the value of the vehicle, then they will likely consider it a total loss, in which case they will retain the salvage car and give you a cash settlement.
If you come to a private agreement with a third party about your car, you risk signing away insurance money (by law you can’t be compensated twice for the same loss).”
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