Can I Keep My Totaled Car After the Accident?

What Can I Do if My Car Was Totaled?

You don’t really want to buy a different car. This one has been so good to you or maybe your car is totaled but still drivable. You could probably fix it up or just keep driving it like it is. Is that an option? Can I keep my car if it is written off as total loss?

It’s your car. You can do what you want with it, and that includes deciding what to do after an accident. If you want to keep your car that’s been totaled, it’s your choice. But it doesn’t always mean your insurance will work with you on it.

In most cases, your insurance company will make an offer to settle your claim outright. That entails giving you money in exchange for the damage on your vehicle as well as the damaged vehicle itself. It adds up to the car’s pre-accident value.

If you want to keep your car, you’ll have to negotiate with your insurance adjuster. It’s not as clear-cut as you might hope. The car’s remaining value has to be determined and subtracted from their offer. But if you still owe money on your car, the lender might have some say in you keeping a totaled car. You might be stuck taking the cash settlement and saying “bye-bye” to your wheels.

What Can I Do if I Totaled My Car With No Insurance?

If the collision doesn’t fall under your car insurance policy and your car is no longer running, there’s a bit of good news if you can call it that. You’ll have no problem keeping your wrecked car. Unfortunately, no one is going to give you money to restore it to its former glory, though. And in addition, you’ll probably have a hefty bill coming from the other person involved in the accident. If cost of repairs can be far too high, especially if the damage was high or if the car had previous mechanical problems.

How Much Will I Get When I Sell My Total Loss Car?

Are you wondering, “How can I keep my totaled car?” The process isn’t overly difficult, but it is time-consuming.

First, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. If you haven’t already let your adjuster know that you’d like to keep your totaled car, it’s a good place to start!

Next, research what your car is worth in its current condition. If your totaled car is still drivable, its value will be much higher than if it’s not running and driving. Typically, you can expect your totaled car value to be between 15 and 50 percent of its pre-collision value. Now you’re prepared when the insurance adjuster makes their new offer.

Pay off your car loan, if applicable. If you still owe money on your totaled car, you need to make sure that the payout will cover the amount owing. Otherwise, you’re going to be in big trouble with the bank!

Collect your check and keep your car! If the numbers all make sense with the adjuster and the bank, settle up. You’ll get the payment for your insurance total loss and keep your car.

Keeping A Totaled Car - If Your is Totaled, Can You Keep It?

“If they total my car, can I keep it?” Just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes from keeping your totaled car.

Lower Value

Owning that banged-up totaled car might seem like a good idea at first. You think you’ll fix it up or just drive it like it is, but that’s not always going to go to plan. Your car isn’t worth as much as it once was. You’ll quickly find that it’s no longer an asset, but a liability. And now you’re stuck with it.

Limited Insurance Options

Many insurance companies will charge you higher rates for driving a car that’s been a write-off previously. Who knows if it’s in good working order or not? And is it going to be at a higher risk for another collision or, worse yet, hurt someone? Some insurance providers won’t touch it.

Expensive to Fix

Once you start estimating repairs on your totaled car, you’ll realize it’s more expensive than you first thought, guaranteed. There’s always hidden damage and unexpected expenses. In the end, fixing up a crashed car is hardly ever worth it.

Hard to Sell

Once you tire of driving a smashed-up car and want to sell it, it’s another pain in the backside. No one wants to buy your lump of junk as it is. Even if you’ve fixed your total loss and want to sell it, the branded title is a deterrent for almost all buyers. It’s not an easy sell.

Final Verdict: What Can I Do With My Totaled Car?

If you’re in a position where you need to sell your wrecked van, smashed truck, or totaled car, there’s an option. At WeBuyTotaledCars, we buy totaled cars!

The process is fast and painless. Request an online offer for your vehicle in as-is condition, total loss or not. We’ll make you a guaranteed offer that’s valid for seven days. Accept the offer, and we’ll pay you fast and pick up your car at no charge to you. Simple, quick, and cash in hand. Could you ask for more?