Why is My Car a Total Loss? Now What?

What to Do When Your Car is Declared Total Loss

Coping with the aftermath of a serious accident can be very stressful, especially when trying to deal with your insurance company and the loss of your vehicle. However, knowing the right questions to ask and having a realistic understanding of the situation can be helpful. If your auto insurance in CT declares your car a total loss, here’s what to do.

When is a damaged car considered a total loss?

Your insurance company may decide your damaged vehicle is a total loss if:

• It cannot be repaired safely.
• Repairs would cost more than the car is worth.
• Connecticut uses a Total Loss Formula: the cost of repairs plus the scrap value of the car must equal or exceed the car’s pre-accident value.

If your car is declared a total loss, here’s how to handle the situation.

Call your insurance agent.

Immediately following the accident, after you’ve alerted the police, you should call your insurance agent. He or she can then start the claims submission process.

Have the vehicle towed to your insurance company’s preferred shop.

If you think your vehicle has a good chance of being totaled, have it towed to your insurance company’s preferred body shop. This will help to speed up the claims process. The professionals at the body shop, along with your claims adjuster, will determine if your vehicle is repairable.

Locate your vehicle’s title.

This is an important document to have. Your vehicle’s title can provide proof that you own your car outright. If you don’t own your car, you may need to provide your adjustor with the account number and contact information of the company that finances or leases your vehicle.

Work with your adjustor.

You’ll want to communicate with both your claims adjustor and your insurance company after your car is totaled. If you still have a loan on the vehicle, you might need to transfer ownership of the vehicle to the insurance company once the loan has been paid off. Your claims adjustor can help assist you with next steps to take.

For help finding the right auto insurance in Connecticut, and the surrounding cities, contact the independent insurance professionals at North American Underwriters. Serving New Britain, Bristol, Farmington, Plainville, and all of Connecticut; we will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection for your specific situation, all at the right price.