When is a Car Considered Totaled?

The word “totaled” is thrown around a lot in regards to accidents and damage to your vehicle, but what exactly is the car totaled meaning? When is a car considered totaled? In short, for a car to be totaled, the cost to repair it must exceed its current value. There are some key signs that a vehicle is totaled, as well as a number of steps you should take if you get into an accident or suffer significant damage to your car. The service team at Sid Dillon Buick of Lincoln has more insight into the car totaled meaning in the guide below – check it out, and be sure to keep an eye on our other service tips and tricks like how to tell if your car needs an oil change and more!

Signs Your Car is Totaled

If you’ve recently gotten into an accident around Hickman or suffered some other major damage to your vehicle, you might be wondering “When is a car considered totaled?” or “Can my car be repaired?” In general, a vehicle is considered a total loss if it fits any of the following criteria:

• You’ve gone to a service center and found that the cost to repair your vehicle would be more expensive than replacing it.
• If you want to drive your vehicle to a service center to get it repaired but can’t because of issues like leaking fluids, bent parts, or an obstructed view of the road, it can safely be considered a total loss.
• Your car is over five years older and has suffered major damage to the frame. If your car is considered “old” and will need an expensive frame replacement to run properly, the insurance company may consider it totaled.
• Your car is old enough that making major repairs easily exceeds its current value.
• Your car has a lot of miles on the odometer, which lowers its value even if you’ve kept up with your maintenance schedule.

What to Do if Your Car is Totaled

The first thing you should do is contact your insurance agent right away to file a claim. From there, the insurance company will evaluate the cost of repairs and determine if your car is a total loss. If it’s totaled, your provider will give you money equating to your car’s value at the time of the accident. They’ll also take into consideration things like your car’s age, mileage, and condition to help determine its current value. The deductible on your collision and insurance coverage will be deducted from the value they come up with.

Turn to Sid Dillon Buick of Lincoln For All Your Service Needs

If you need any repairs done on your vehicle, you can schedule an appointment right from our website! You can also stop by our service center to talk to a service expert in person – we’re conveniently located near Beatrice and Omaha. Feel free to contact our service team with any questions, or for more information about the services we offer for your Buick or GMC!