Determine If Your Car Is Worth Repairing After an Accident
Car accidents happen more frequently than we 'd like them to. Understanding how to determine if your car is repairable will save you time and money, along with the stress of what to do next. We 'll look at this process from the consumer side as well as the insurance carrier 's side in order to help come to the resolution.
Immediately after the accident, you should report the accident to your insurance carrier. They will gather the facts together, and then they will usually send a company adjuster or an independent adjuster to inspect your vehicle.
The adjuster will determine whether your vehicle is deemed a total loss. These factors will depend on:
- Age of vehicle
- Mileage
- The pre-accident condition of your vehicle
- Severity of the damage
- Price of estimates of repair
If your car is deemed a total loss, this means that the repairs to the vehicle will exceed the current value of the vehicle. For example, if your 1996 Toyota got rear-ended resulting in a lot of repair work to get it back on the road, it may end up costing you more money than the car is worth.
The adjuster should be made aware of any improvements to the car that would increase the value of it, for example, a new transmission, leather seating, sunroof, etc. These are important factors in formulating the actual cash value.
Once the inspection is complete, the adjuster will review the estimate of repairs and photos of your vehicle, along with the the estimate of the cash value of your vehicle, typically from NADA or Kelley Blue Book. This information will determine if it is worth your car getting repaired.
If your car is deemed unrepairable, the adjuster will discuss the value of your vehicle along with the next steps in the process. You are also available to review the estimate and appraisal completed on your vehicle and ask any questions you may have.
It is important to keep in mind that the vehicle repair or total loss is always subject to the collision and comprehensive deductible of one 's insurance.
To get the most complete coverage on your car whilst maintaining affordability in Hudson, NY, contact
Lofgren Agency. Our talented personal insurance specialists can guide you through the process of selecting affordable
auto insurance without limiting the amount of coverage!
