Can You Keep a Totaled Car?
If you got into a recent car accident with no injuries, then that’s great news! However, how much damage did your car take? If you have full collision coverage, your insurance will take care of the repair costs and your car will be as good as new.
Still, what if you really want your car? Can you keep a car that is totaled? Fortunately, you may be able to save your car from the salvage yard and take care of its repairs yourself, keep it for parts, or do whatever else you wish. For our customers near Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton, keep on reading to find out more! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out our team at Collision 24.
What Does “Totaled” Really Mean?
Insurance companies label cars a “total loss” if the cost of repairs exceeds the worth of the vehicle. This term varies based on different states or insurers, but it generally comes down to its cash value and the estimated repair total.
Another situation that could result in a totaled vehicle is when your car can’t be repaired safely. Regardless of what the costs would be, an insurance company won’t pay to repair a vehicle that may never be safe again. If this applies to your totaled vehicle, you’re better off letting go and getting a new car.
Once your insurance company brands your vehicle totaled, it’s deemed a salvage vehicle, and you’ll get the cash value of your car at that time. This includes the make, model, current mileage, options, condition, and any alterations. They’ll send you a check, and they’ll auction your car off as a salvage vehicle.
Can You Keep a Totaled Car? Should You?
If your car isn’t totaled because of a safety issue, there are many reasons you may want to keep it. You can salvage it for the parts yourself, which may leave you with more cash than the total loss check from the insurance company, or you may want certain parts for other reasons.
The most common reason to keep a totaled car is repairing it yourself. If you believe you can restore the vehicle to a safe condition and get more use out of it, then this would be a possible option for you.
That being said, there are a few things to consider:
- Find out the repair costs and decide if it’s actually worth it.
- Make sure you can pass the DMV inspection for a “rebuilt” title so you can legally drive your car.
- Make sure you can find an insurance company willing to insure a salvage vehicle after the repairs.
If you do your homework and still want to keep your totaled car, you can arrange with your insurance company. It’ll be processed like any other accident claim, but you’ll get a lower settlement amount than the salvage price would be.
Visit Collision 24
The answer to, “Can you keep a totaled car?” is yes, you might be able to, but do you want to? If you’re in Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton and you want to repair a salvage vehicle, Collision 24 is here for you. Our technicians have years of experience working with damaged vehicles, so contact us to see what we can do to help you keep your totaled car!