What percentage of damage to a wrecked vehicle constitutes totaling the car?

tangerine

A vehicle is considered totaled if the cost to repair the damages is more than the book value of the vehicle.

CowboyBill

Lots of poor answers here -- every state has their own prameters for the definition of 'total loss'. While it's true that a vehicle is declared a 'total loss' if repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle, many states require a car to be totaled if repair costs exceed a set percentage of the actual cash value (ACV); sometimes as low as 70%, some as high as 99%. So, the answer to your question depends what state you live in. You should be able to contact a claims adjuster with your company and get a correct answer within minutes.

mbrcatz

It varies by state, but usually it's at LEAST 80%.

Percentage of damage is misleading, it does NOT mean that 80% of the car has to be damaged - it means that the cost of repairs are 80% or greater than the actual cash value of the car. If you have a 1977 Pontiac, a broken windshield can total the car. If you have a 2007 Lamborghini, you're going to need to have damage pretty much on all four sides.

bundysmom

It depends on if your state has laws about this or not. In Nevada it's 65% of the actual cash value. In other states, it's up to the insurance company to determine when they'll total a car, some total it at 75%, other total it at 80%. The rule of thumb is if the cost of repairs exceeds the actual cash value of the vehicle...it's a total, and legally that's all you're entitled to recover is the ACV.

Rigo

I'm not sure if it's a matter of percentage as it is a matter of cost.

IF (cost of repair) > (value of car) THEN Totalled.

Even if the repair cost was only $100 cheaper than totalling the car, the insurance company will repair it.

lisa k

if the cost of fixing it exceeds the book value of the car

Chris F

Cost to repair the damage exceeds the black book value of the car.

donna_mi

Usually if the damage is more than 1/2 the value of the car.

UNITool

Not a percentage really. When the estimated cost to repair the vehicle exceeds what the vehicle is worth, it is then considerred to be totaled.

gregthomasparke

It doesn't go off percentage of vehicle that was damaged, it goes by repair cost for complete repair, including brand new parts, and labour at an authorized repair shop the insurance company deals with, that cost is compaired to the value of the vehicle. If the cost to repair is more then the vehicle is worth, then the vehicle is concedered a write off, if the cost to repair the vehicle is less then the vehicle is worth, then the vehicle will be repaired.

Christina Ford

What everyone else has said about the damage being more then the blue book is true. BUT you don't HAVE to take the offer of totaling it out if you don't want to. Speak to an attorney and they will tell you all the answers you want and USUALLY it does not cost to talk to one. The insurance company will try to talk you out of it but you are better off protecting your assets then their bottom line.

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