Expert Advice for Actual Cash Value
All Articles on Actual Cash Value
What is ACV vs RCV in Insurance?
Insurance providers usually estimate the value of a totaled car based on its actual cash value (ACV)—but that might not get you the best payout.
Kaitlin May
How to Determine Your Car’s Cash Value
The insurance formula for calculating the actual cash value of your totaled car isn’t public, but resources like Kelley Blue Book can help you get an estimate.
Rob Shapiro
Understanding ACV for Car Insurance
With ACV (actual cash value) for car insurance, many factors go into determining it. Some of them include prior accidents, wear and tear, and depreciation.
Bonnie Stinson
How to Calculate Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Car insurance claim adjusters may not offer you enough if you’re being offered actual cash value for your car, not what you paid or owe.
Jason Unrau
How to Get Your Comic Book Collection Appraised
You probably don't need any more reasons to love your comic book collection, but it's worth finding out if you're sitting on high-value collectors' items. Here's how to get your collection appraised.
Marisol Pereira
What Does Actual Cash Value Coverage Mean on Insurance?
Insurance companies use actual cash value to determine the amount they will pay you on a claim. Here's what you need to know about actual cash value for your insurance policy.
Marisol Pereira
The Difference Between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value (ACV)
If you own valuable items, not knowing the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost could cost you money. Here's an article explaining the difference between replacement cost and ACV.
Cheryl Knight
All Questions on Actual Cash Value
How do you track your car if it's stolen?
I went outside to get my car and it was gone! How can you track down a car if it’s stolen?
Emily Maracle
How can I check my car value for insurance?
How can I find out how much my car is worth for insurance purposes? I was in an accident and my car was deemed totaled by my insurance company. I want to know how much my insurance provider should give me for my vehicle.
Phoebe Mah
Can I trade in my Chevy Trailblazer if I still have a loan on it?
I want to trade in my old Chevy Trailblazer for a new one. Can I do this if I still have a loan?
Eric Schad
How do lenders determine the loan-to-value ratio of a car?
I read that the loan-to-value ratio is important for car loan approval, but I’m not sure what that means or how to calculate it. How do lenders figure out a car’s loan-to-value ratio?
Eric Schad
Why am I getting such drastically different quotes for the same manufactured home?
The coverage limits look the same to me; why would rates be so different? My manufactured home will be completed in a few days and I am shopping for the right kind of homeowner's policy. I have quotes from both Allstate and State Farm, and State Farm is drastically lower.
Shannon Martin
How is actual cash value calculated?
I recently totaled my car, and I was worried about getting a new car until I realized I had actual cash value coverage through my insurance. How does my insurance company determine the actual cash value of my car?
Macy Fouse
How much does it cost to insure a kit car?
I'd like to build a kit car to replace my current car. I've heard insurance rates are different for kit cars. How much will it cost to insure a kit car?
Emily Maracle
How can I get a new car after a total loss?
My car was completely destroyed in a car accident recently. How do I get a new one from my insurance claim?
Liz Jenson
How much is my car worth for a title loan?
How can I calculate how much my car is worth when I’m taking out a title loan? I drive a 2015 Ford Fusion. I’d like to get a title loan, but I don’t know how much to ask for.
Liz Jenson
How do you value your car for car insurance?
I’m curious as to how I estimate the value of my car. How can I figure out the value of my car so that I know my insurance is getting it right?
Will Baldwin
Does Progressive renters insurance cover theft?
I can’t believe it—my laptop was stolen from my car. Does Progressive renters insurance cover theft?
Rachel Rigolino
What are the steps to get a better interest rate on a Ram 1500?
I entered into a loan for my Ram 1500 hastily—now I’m stuck paying a high interest rate. Can I get a better interest rate, and if so, how?
Eric Schad
How is the actual cash value of your vehicle determined?
If my car is a total loss, how does my car insurance calculate the value of my vehicle?
Emily Maracle
How much is my car worth in the eyes of my car insurance company?
I have full coverage insurance on my 2019 Chevy Malibu. I am wondering how much my car is worth to my insurance company? Would I get the total value of my car back if it's totaled?
Emily Maracle
How do car insurance companies determine a car's value?
I've read that insurance companies can low-ball offers for totaled cars. I'm a careful driver, but money is always tight, and although it's unlikely, I don't want this to happen to me! How do insurance companies determine the value of a car, and how can I make sure that an offer is genuine?
Eric Schad
Do any companies refinance upside down car loans?
I have a massively upside down car loan with a high interest rate. Is there a company that will refinance my car at a more favorable rate?
Eric Schad
What does actual cash value mean?
I’m picking out car insurance for the first time, and I’m not sure whether I need actual cash value coverage. What is actual cash value anyways?
Macy Fouse
How do I get my recoverable depreciation check from my home insurance?
The fridge we’ve had for five years just stopped working. There’s a part in my home insurance policy that talks about recoverable depreciation, which I think will help replace it. I know this is in my coverage and I should know this, but to be honest, this is all going a little over my head. How do I get my depreciation money back from my home insurance? We have replacement cost coverage if that helps.
Melanie Mergen
Can the value of my car change the rate of my insurance policy?
The Blue Book value of my car is $5000, so why is my insurance so high? I need to keep comprehensive and collision coverage on a little longer, but the policy price seems off base.
Shannon Martin
How do you dispute your insurance's car valuations?
Can you fight an insurance company over a totaled car? I got into an accident that totaled my car. I bought it for $20,000, but my car insurance company is only offering me $13,000. What do I do?
Emily Maracle
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?
Will Baldwin
How do I trade my car when I still owe on it?
I still owe $2,000 on my car loan, but I'd like to get a new car. Can I trade my car in even if I still owe money on it?
Emily Maracle
How do I value my car for insurance?
I was in a car accident two weeks ago. I had to submit a claim and now I need to negotiate with my insurance company. What’s the best way to figure out what your vehicle is worth?
Emily Maracle
When is a good time to lower the coverage on my auto policy?
When is a good time to lower my coverage limits? My vehicle is a 2015 Jeep Compass and my policy limits are 100/300/50. I have had the same coverage on this policy since the day I bought the Jeep six years ago.
Shannon Martin
Why does a dealership drop the price of a car if I finance with them?
I want to finance a car for $12,000 through the dealer because they said if I finance with someone else that the price jumps to $16,000. They're prepared to offer me a 60-month, 8.99% loan, as my credit is mediocre. How can dealers justify this price drop only if I finance with them?
Eric Schad
When is it too late to get renters insurance?
I moved out into my first apartment earlier this year and have forgotten to purchase renters insurance. It’s been just over 6 months since I moved in. When is it too late for me to purchase renters insurance?
Claire Beaney
How does insurance decide to write off a car?
I got into an accident and my car is wrecked. I want to know whether my car is totaled or not. How does insurance decide to write off a car?
Emily Maracle
What is a payoff on a car loan?
I was looking at my loan balance online and noticed something labeled payoff. It was a large amount, but I'm not sure what it means. What is a payoff quote for a car?
Emily Maracle
What's the loan-to-value ratio on a car?
I was reading about car loans, and I discovered that the loan-to-value ratio is an important part of car loan approval. What is a car’s loan-to-value ratio?
Eric Schad
How will USAA value my Ford Mustang after an accident?
How will USAA evaluate my Mustang after an accident? I was at fault in an accident but I have collision insurance. This car has been my baby since I bought it and I want to repair it if possible, but I don't want to pay for it out of pocket.
Eric Schad
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