8 Articles
Total Loss Dispute Guide
Learn how insurance companies determine total loss, how to dispute their valuation, and your options for keeping or surrendering your totaled vehicle.
Essential Reading
How Insurance Calculates Total Loss
Understanding the formula insurance companies use to decide if your car is totaled.
8 min readRead Guide
How to Dispute Total Loss Valuation
Step-by-step guide to challenging an unfair total loss settlement offer.
10 min readRead Guide
Can You Keep Your Totaled Car?
Your options for owner-retained salvage and what it means for your title.
7 min readRead Guide
Total Loss Threshold by State
State-by-state breakdown of when insurance must declare your car totaled.
6 min readRead Guide
How to Negotiate Total Loss Settlement
Tactics for getting a higher payout when your car is totaled.
9 min readRead Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
It varies by state, typically between 50-100% of the car's actual cash value. Some states use a Total Loss Formula (TLF) that adds repair cost plus salvage value.
Yes, you can dispute the valuation by providing comparable vehicle listings, getting independent appraisals, and documenting any unique features or recent upgrades to your car.
In most states, yes. This is called owner-retained salvage. The insurance company will deduct the salvage value from your settlement, and your car will receive a salvage or rebuilt title.