What to expect after your car has been totaled
This short video from our insurance experts describes what happens after your car has been totaled.
What the insurer owes you
The insurer owes you the actual cash value of your totaled car. If you and the insurer can't agree on the value, the insurer must follow Washington state's total loss rules. These rules let the insurer choose one or more of the following ways to determine your car's value:
- They may offer to replace your car with a comparable car in your local area.
- They may pay you the actual cash value of comparable cars in your local area.
- If your insurance policy has an appraisal provision, you and the insurer may be able to use independent appraisers or other methods to resolve the disagreement.
If the insurer can't find comparable cars in the area where you normally park your car, they may expand the search 25 miles at a time until it finds two or more comparable cars. With your permission, your insurer may search beyond 150 miles.
The insurer must add to the actual cash value any taxes, license fees and other fees required to transfer ownership.
To find out if the insurer is offering you a reasonable amount of money, ask them for a “total loss valuation report.” This shows the data they used to decide your car's value. The insurer might not provide this report unless you ask for it.
When you disagree on your car's value
Disagreements with your insurer
If you and your insurer can't agree on your car's value, you may have the right to hire an appraiser. Your auto insurance should allow this.
Disagreements with another person's insurer
If someone else is at fault, you might disagree with their insurer on your car's value. If you have collision coverage, you can file a claim with your insurer. They will then pay for your totaled car.
Your insurer can try to get money back from the at-fault driver, including any deductible you paid. If you don't have collision coverage, you need legal advice.
What happens if you keep your totaled car
If you keep your car, the insurer removes the value of salvaging it from what they owe you. The insurer will report your totaled car to the Washington state Department of Licensing.
If you have questions about what happens next with your totaled car, contact the:
Washington state Department of Licensing
Title and Registration Services
Customer Service Unit
360-902-3770