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If the airbags go off, is my car totaled?
I got into a nasty collision yesterday and my airbags went off. It’s the first collision I’ve ever been in, so I had my car towed to my dealership to assess it for damage and the next steps. I’m a bit nervous though, because I’ve heard that if your car’s airbags go off, your car is totaled. Can you tell me if this is true?
Katherine Duffy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re so sorry to hear about your collision and we hope you’re alright. If the airbags go off your car could be totaled, or it might not be, it depends on a few other factors. Your insurance company will declare your vehicle a total loss if the cost to replace the airbags is greater than the value of your vehicle.
Airbags alone are very expensive to replace, and if you were in a collision, you likely have to pay for other damage costs. If you drive an expensive car, your insurance is likely to cover the costs and your vehicle probably won’t be an automatic write-off.
But, if you drive a used mass-market car, an older car with a lot of miles, or a car with issues before the collision, it’s extremely likely that your car will be declared a total loss.
Collisions are one of the scariest parts of driving, and even the safest drivers often encounter a collision at some point. The best way to prepare for the worst is by finding a great insurance policy at an affordable rate.
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- Gregory R.
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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.
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