Total Loss Car Value Calculator

What Is a Total Loss Car Value?

A total loss occurs when your car is so extensively damaged in an accident or collision that repairing it would be more expensive than replacing it. When determining the total loss value of a car, numerous elements are taken into account. Some junk car dealers (including JunkCarsUs) have an online tool for determining total loss vehicle value for reference. Unless your car insurance specifies this coverage, you may be responsible for the remaining payments of your car lease or loan.

How to Use Our Total Loss Car Value Calculator

An insurance total loss payout calculator would typically use the price of car repair or replacement less depreciation when calculating the totaled vehicle price or the actual cash value an insurance company is required to pay. To double-check a totaled car insurance payout or figure out if you can get more for your car, you can use our vehicle value estimator for totaled cars available online. 

To use the total loss formula calculator from JunkCarsUs, you don’t need any specific estimates or data. You should just have basic car info at hand and enter it into an online form:

• Standard information about your vehicle: You need to type in the year, make, and model of your car;

• Type of title: You should mention if your car title is available and if it’s clean or salvage;

• Condition of your auto: You’ll need to answer a few questions about the current state of your car, such as if all tires and wheels are in place, if it’s drivable or not, whether it lacks any exterior or interior parts, etc.;

• Car mileage: Here, you are required to put actual figures from your auto’s odometer. Notably, if you can’t verify the mileage, it might reduce your price proposal;

• Your contact data: The final step is entering your name, phone number, zip code, and email and attaching the photo of your vehicle to submit the complete form. 

The JunkCarsUs car total loss value calculator considers the aspects that normally impact the price proposition. So, you can rest assured you’ll get a competitive, fair offer in line with market rates.

How To Check Whether My Car Is Totaled

After assessing the safety and injuries of everyone involved in a significant accident or collision, the following step is to assess the damage and calculate the value of a car if it’s totaled. You can usually tell whether your car has been totaled, but it is not always evident, especially if your vehicle appears to have been spared debilitating damage. Knowing this, you won't be caught off guard when the insurance shows you a totaled car cost calculator.

1. When your car insurance says it’ s totaled

   The most obvious and certain method to determine if your car is totaled is if your auto insurance company says so. So, after a visual and mechanical inspection, your insurance company determines that the cost of fixing your car after an accident is greater than the cost of replacing the car. Your insurance company will refuse to fix your vehicle and instead offer you money equal to the vehicle 's actual value. This is best if you still have payables left on the loan.

2. You can’t drive or start your car

   If you have an aging vehicle that won’t start, this can signify that it’s nearing the “totaled car” tag . If the engine needs extensive repairs like a total engine replacement, most of the time, it would be better to junk the car instead.

   If your car was involved in an accident, when you can’t start the car or if it’s not road-worthy, then it’s very likely that your car will be viewed as a totaled vehicle.

3. If oil is leaking out of your car

   If engine oil leaks from your parked car, the engine block could have significant damage. If your car was involved in a head-on collision that folds the hood, it’s likely the engine absorbed the brunt of the damage. A crack in the engine block is usually unrepairable, so the engine would need to be replaced. The engine replacement plus the cost of repairing the car’s body more often than not will be more expensive than the average cost for a totaled car.

4. If your car is more than 30 years old 

   Unless you own a valuable classic, when very old cars suffer any type of engine or transmission damage, the cost of repairs will typically be in the thousands of dollars — if it’s even repairable, since replacement parts may be hard to come by. When this happens, it would be better to just junk your car and buy a new one.

What To Do With a Totaled Car

Below are the options for your totaled car’ s future. For options that involve you keeping the car, you should note that some states do not allow you to keep a totaled vehicle. Your insurance company can assist you in calculating a total loss estimate and determining whether local laws allow you to keep the totaled vehicle. Hopefully, this can help you calculate the best amount you can get from your totaled car.

1. Accept the insurance payout 

   Following an accident, your insurance will inform you of the value of your totaled car and the cost of all necessary repairs. The firm will determine whether to declare the vehicle totaled. Each company has its own total loss car value calculator, and each state has its procedure for declaring a vehicle totaled. If the car is not worth repairing, the insurance company will offer cash for the car 's value. You can accept it and use the money to purchase another vehicle .

2. Keep the car and repair it

   You have the option to keep your car even if it has been declared totaled. You may choose not to file a claim if your vehicle can still be driven safely or towed to a repair shop.A good mechanic might be able to do the repairs, but you'll have to pay for them. You might be able to ask for money from the person who caused the accident to help pay for repairs. If your totaled car insurance payout is insufficient to cover the cost of a replacement vehicle, this is a viable option.

3. Donate your totaled car

   Check with your local non-profit organizations and charity services if you can donate your car. If they accept your car as a donation, they will schedule a time to have your car towed for free.

   They will then sell it for parts, and you will get a tax deduction based on the sales.You get to help, have your car towed for free, and earn via a tax deduction.

4. Keep it and salvage it off for parts

   If you think your auto has valuable parts that can be sold individually, selling them off per piece will net you more money.If a junk car dealer’ s quote does not satisfy you, then scrapping your car for parts is a good option.

   This can be the case if your car is an old but popular model, so spare parts will be a premium. In many cases, the badges, steering wheel, and seats can be sold to people looking to rebuild their same make and model car. Here’s a handy scrap car value calculator to help you out.

5. Sell it to a junk car buyer

   Perhaps the easiest way with the most return is to sell your totaled car to a junk car buyer like JunkCarsUs.These companies specialize in buying totaled cars, so they know every rule and documentation needed to make the sale easy. 

Consider Selling Your Totaled Car to JunkCarsUs

It's unfortunate when accidents happen or a trusty car dies out. You can still get ahead of the situation by selling your totaled car to a trusted junk car buyer like JunkCarsUs. You can use any totaled car value calculator, but we assure you that we offer the best deal in town.

We buy totaled cars and pay more than scrapyards or other junk car buyers.We accept vehicles of all years, makes, and models in any condition.If you have a totaled car in your possession, call us at (855) 547-1550, and our friendly staff will answer all your questions. We offer same-day cash deals, and we always include free towing-plus, we help with paperwork.