How Much Is the Insurance Payout for Totaled Cars?
Have you ever wondered or asked, “How much does insurance payout for totaled cars?” No one wants to get into an accident and have their car totaled. On top of the injuries from the accident, headaches from the insurance company, and dealing with car damage, no one wants to hear that they have to deal with a totaled car.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been seeking for Totaled car insurance payout. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or via video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car soon and finding a nearby doctor to help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
First, let’s fully clarify what it means if your car is “totaled”:
After an accident, if the cost of repairs exceeds 70% of the value of the car, insurance companies would deem it a total loss, or a totaled car. For example, if the car is worth $20,000 today, and the total cost of repairs the auto shop tallies exceeds $14,000, insurance will consider it “totaled.”
Given this calculation, you might be wondering how exactly insurance determines the value of your car. Because they use that as a benchmark to determine whether to pay for the repairs or to consider it a total loss, it’s important to be aware of the methods insurance companies use to determine the fair market value of a car.
How the Fair Market Value of Your Totaled Car Insurance Payout Is Calculated
Insurance companies use one of three following methods to settle all their total loss claims:
1. Average Retail Value
This method simply uses the average of all retail values of similar vehicles listed in the current editions of the “Automobile Red Book” published by Penton Media, or the “N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide” published by the National Automobile Dealers Used Car Company.
2. Like Vehicle Quote
You send a quote to your insurance company for a similar vehicle available for purchase from a dealership within 25 miles of your residence.
3. External Source
Insurance companies use an approved source, including computerized databases—from Audatex, Mitchell International, and CCC—that produces fair market values of substantially similar vehicles.
The third method is the most often used amongst the top 10 auto insurance carriers in Arizona, including State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, Geico, USAA, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Pekin, Safeway, and American Family.
If all three methods fail to represent a true cross-section of your local market to mark the fair value of your car, the insurance company is required to use the best available method.
Insurance companies are also required to fully explain, in writing, how they calculated the totaled car insurance payout they are offering you. In addition to showing which method was used to value your car, they also need to itemize all additions, deductions, and sales tax.
Can insurers deduct for any damage or rust that existed before the loss?
Yes. However, deductions for previous damage or rust must be itemized with specific dollar amounts. The amount by which the resale value of the car increases by eliminating the previous damage is the amount the insurance company can deduct from your totaled car insurance payout.
The Cash Offer from Insurance
If your car was deemed a “total loss,” the insurance company will offer you payment for the car’s actual cash value. The cash value of your car is based on what similar vehicles are selling for in the Phoenix area.
Accepting a cash offer from the insurance company may help you buy another car similar to what you had before. However, there is a good chance the first offer from insurance is low—and you could get more.
Before accepting the totaled car insurance payout offer, compare it with the value of your car—same make, model, year, and its condition just before the accident—listed in the Kelley Blue Book or on the Edmunds website. If the KBB lists a value higher than what the insurance offered, you can request the insurance increase its offer and use the KBB listing to support your request. However, if you and your insurance company can’t agree on the cash value, you can submit the dispute to binding arbitration.
Upgrades Add Value to Your Car
If you’ve upgraded your car with new tires, rims, or even a custom paint job, you can argue that the value of your car is higher than both the KBB and the totaled car insurance payout offer.
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association, the average consumer spends about $2,000 on options or modifications during the first year after purchase. By providing proof such as receipts and invoices, you can also get partially compensated for any additions or upgrade jobs on your car.
Getting Compensated for Loss of Use
Because you cannot drive your car, you incur additional expenses that would not have otherwise occurred. These include car rentals, towing costs, car storage expenses, the diminished value of your car due to the accident, etc.
If the other driver was at fault, he or she should compensate you for these expenses due to the loss of use of your car.
Insurance Payout For Totaled Cars: Submit a Property Damage Claim
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their injuries, including those from Totaled car insurance payout in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
We can help you with your Totaled car insurance payout, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
