Use our Totaled Car Value Calculator to determine if your vehicle is a total loss after an accident. By comparing repair estimates against the Actual Cash Value (ACV) and local salvage rates, you can estimate your potential insurance settlement and decide whether to repair or replace your car.
Totaled Car Value Calculator
Totaled Car Value Calculator Formula:
Total Loss Determination:
(Repair Cost / Actual Cash Value) × 100 ≥ Threshold (%)
Net Settlement Formula:
Settlement = Actual Cash Value - Deductible
Formula Source: Insurance Information Institute, Kelley Blue Book
Variables:
- Actual Cash Value (ACV): The fair market value of your car immediately before the accident.
- Estimated Repair Cost: The professional quote for parts and labor required to return the car to its pre-accident condition.
- Salvage Value: The amount the insurance company can sell the damaged car for at an auction.
- Total Loss Threshold: The percentage (usually 70%-80%) at which a state requires a car to be totaled.
Related Calculators:
What is a Totaled Car Value Calculator?
A totaled car value calculator is a specialized financial tool used to evaluate whether a vehicle is “totaled” (a total loss) from an insurance perspective. It calculates the ratio between the cost of repairs and the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV).
Insurance adjusters use this math to decide if it is more cost-effective to pay you for the vehicle’s market value rather than fixing it. This calculation is crucial for policyholders who want to verify if an insurer’s offer is fair or if they should negotiate based on local market data.
How to Calculate Totaled Car Value (Example):
- Determine the Actual Cash Value (ACV). Example: Your 2018 Sedan is worth $20,000.
- Get a Repair Estimate. Example: The body shop quotes $16,000.
- Identify the Threshold. Example: Your state uses a 75% threshold.
- Calculate the Ratio: ($16,000 / $20,000) = 0.80 or 80%.
- Compare: Since 80% is greater than the 75% threshold, the car is Totaled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
You can often “buy back” the car. The insurer will pay you the ACV minus your deductible and the salvage value.
Insurers look at local sales of comparable vehicles (mileage, condition, year) using databases like CCC Intelligent Solutions or NADA.
No. Some states (like Florida or Texas) have specific percentage laws, while others use the “Total Loss Formula” (Repair + Salvage > ACV).
Yes, you can provide independent appraisals or proof of recent upgrades to increase your ACV and potentially change the math.