When does my insurance company legally have to total my car?

Answer by  Jennifer46 (29)

Your insurance company cannot legally total your car without your permission. Totaling is when you've been in an accident and the repairs cost more than what it's worth.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

They can total your car when the cost of the repair costs more than the value of your car. You have the option to buy teh car back.

Answer by  Anonymous

In Texas, if you are dealing with an insurance company of an at fault party, they want to total your car, yet repairs are less that ACV, threaten to sue their clientin small claims, when you win they have to pay. Pay for repairs then bill them, it works!

Answer by  Paladin (19)

If the car cannot be repaired to a safe working condition without exceeding the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of accident. Insurance companies may have a threshold above which a vehicle will be considered totaled (i.e. if the cost to repair exceeds 70% of value).

Answer by  Gabriel (2146)

The insurance company will "total" your car when the cost to repair it is greater than the value of the car. Understand that it isn't the replacement cost that we're talking about, its the depreciated current value, adding in any verified upgrades you made. The exception is if you have a policy specifically written for the replacement cost.

Answer by  Jenn (116)

Legally your insurance has to total your car when the cost of damages is 51% or more than what your car is said to be worth.