Insurance company is saying total loss … What happens next

The insurance company declared my car a total loss, and I want to know what steps come next.

Start looking for when you get that payout check. Honestly, it might be a blessing with that engine.

You get a check from your insurance company and then buy another car.

BillSmith said:
You get a check from your insurance company and then buy another car.

What happens if you’re underwater in the car and no GAP?

solesfin said:

BillSmith said:
You get a check from your insurance company and then buy another car.

What happens if you’re underwater in the car and no GAP?

If you have no gap, then you’ll be responsible for the difference. Insurance will pay out what the car is worth at the time—GAP should cover the remainder.

Get all your personal belongings out of the car - you’ll never see it again. Insurance company will make you an offer. Before you accept, watch some YouTube videos on insurance offers (you should generally reject the first offer). Once you accept an offer, you’ll sign the title over to them. Any car rental will end at that point. If you owe money on the car, you have to pay that off; you get to keep any excess. If you’re upside down, you’ll have a hard conversation with the finance company; they’ll want their money. Then you get the fun of looking for a replacement car.

@Nathan
Note on this: if you paid for GAP insurance when you purchased your vehicle, make sure to take advantage of that if you still owe money on the vehicle.

@Nathan
Yes, don’t accept the first offer. On my parents’ total loss, I did a little research on our local used market for the same car with similar condition and mileage. Submitted info to claims adjuster and they upped the valuation by $1900.

@esleystanley
My uncle is a claims adjuster and he advised me to ask for the CCC one papers which go into detail, then tell them it’s not enough. They went from $9,500 to $11,100. Massive difference I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. They were trying to lowball by grouping me with older cars.

Start looking now. Once a determination is made and the payout is processed, you might only have 3 days of rental before they cut you loose, then you’re completely on your own.

I would check the worth of your car on Kelley Blue Book and dealer sites in your area, as well as in nearby states. The first offer I received was a lowball. After thoroughly checking several sites and creating an Excel sheet with these various prices, I was able to convince my insurance company to match those prices.

Don’t take their first offer. Managed to get a few thousand more after showing similar vehicles for sale in my area that were priced higher.

Is it me or does it look fine? I’m no car expert but it looks like it just needs a new front bumper and some other small front pieces.

Jane said:
Is it me or does it look fine? I’m no car expert but it looks like it just needs a new front bumper and some other small front pieces.

It can be insanely expensive if you ask for OEM parts because they replace rather than repair a lot of panels. I had my CX-7 Mazda backed into by a Toyota Rav4, going under 5 mph, in a parking lot. It ruined the hood, the bumper, and the front grill, and passenger front quarter panel. Insurance came within $400 of totaling the car.

Does it have anything mechanical wrong with it? I was told by a couple body shops that my Elantra was a loss; however, I found a mechanic who fixed the body issues and replaced the radiator. I paid out of pocket, but it was worth it for me.

You might want to buy it back from the insurance company for scrap value if you think you can fix it. You would only be able to buy liability-only insurance, not collision or comprehensive, since the car is already declared totaled. Check your state laws first. Some may require an inspection of the repairs if you go that route.