After you’ve been in a car accident in Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton, Massachusetts, and everyone is safe and sound, your next focus is likely getting back on the road. That means taking a look at your vehicle and determining if the car can be repaired.
If the damage is extensive, your vehicle might hit the Total Loss Threshold of your insurance company.
Since Total Loss Thresholds vary by state, the team at Collision 24 is here to answer some common questions about the Total Loss Threshold in Massachusetts and how you can determine whether your car is repairable or considered a total loss.
What is a Total Loss Threshold?
A vehicle is considered a total loss or totaled when the repair cost is more than the car is worth. A vehicle is deemed salvageable or repairable if the cost to do so is less than the vehicle’s worth.
If it’s more than the threshold, it will likely be taken to a scrap yard, and your insurance company will pay you what your vehicle is worth.
How is Total Loss Determined?
Each state has different rules for determining a total loss. Insurance companies use either a percentage rule or a custom formula, depending on the state.
For example, in New Hampshire, a vehicle with damage that adds up to 75% of its value would be considered totaled, while in a state like Colorado, where the Total Loss Threshold is 100%, the same car would be regarded as fixable.
What is the Total Loss Threshold in MA?
Massachusetts insurance companies use a formula rather than a percentage to determine if a vehicle is a total loss. The total loss formula is as follows:
Repair and labor costs + value of the vehicle as scraps > car’s value before the accident.
If the cost of repairs plus the amount you’d get at the junkyard for scraps equals or exceeds the car’s value before its accident, your car is considered a total loss.
What Happens After a Vehicle is Declared a Total Loss?
If your vehicle is considered a total loss, there are a few things you likely need to do.
Are you leasing your vehicle? You’ll need to contact the leasing company to let them know the car has been totaled.
Remove Your License Plates
If you’re able to, remove your license plates. Removing and keeping these plates safe can prevent issues if someone were to steal and use them before the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) removes them from your records.
Remove All Your Personal Belongings
Remove all your personal belongings. You may need to visit the collision center to remove any items from your vehicle. Check your vehicle’s glove compartment, trunk, and other nooks and crannies. If you turn in your keys before recovering your belongings, you may not be able to retrieve them, or it could become more difficult later to do so.
Give Keys to Your Insurance Company
Send all the keys you have to your insurance company. Your insurance company will likely want all of them. If you have more than one key, be sure to send it to your claims adjuster. You can let them know you have a key that needs to be sent, and they’ll tell you where you can mail it or drop it off.
Fill Out Necessary Paperwork
Once your vehicle is declared a total loss, you may have some paperwork to fill out before receiving money from your insurance company. These documents include a title transfer to the insurance company so they can send it to the scrap yard before paying you for your vehicle. The collision center team may also need a signature or two once you remove your personal belongings.
If you have any questions about what to do after your vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurance claim’s adjuster will be able to answer them for you. They are there to make the entire process as easy as possible.
FAQs
How do insurance companies determine a car’s pre-accident value?
Insurance companies look at the current market value of your vehicle to estimate what it was worth before the accident. Essentially, they ask: how much would someone reasonably pay for your car if you were selling it?
This selling price factors in the make, model, mileage, condition, and any history of previous accidents or prior damage. Depreciation also plays a role, since vehicles lose value over time compared to their original sale price.
How does my insurance company determine the cost of vehicle repairs?
After an accident, you’ll need to bring your vehicle to a repair facility, like our body shop, for an estimate. This estimate breaks down the cost of parts, labor, and any additional work required to restore your car.
Your insurance company will review the estimate the collision facility provides and use it alongside the total loss formula to decide if your vehicle qualifies as a total loss.
How can your collision center help with the total loss process?
Our collision center is staffed by expert automotive technicians who can provide a thorough evaluation of your vehicle. We work directly with your insurance company to help you get back on the road as quickly as possible.
Our team will determine the costs to repair your vehicle, if it’s repairable, and send that information to your insurance company. Your insurer will then make the final call on whether repairs move forward or your vehicle is declared a total loss.
Can I keep a totaled vehicle?
You might be able to keep a totaled vehicle, but it depends on your state’s laws. The best way to start this process is to talk to your insurance carrier about purchasing the totaled vehicle back. If you can buy back the car, you’ll need to contact your local DMV to find out what forms are required and what steps to take to complete the purchase.*
What should I do if my car is undrivable after an accident?
After an accident, you may notice a flat tire, a smoking hood, or leaking fluids. These are all signs that your car is undrivable and will need a towing service to get it to a repair facility. Our 24-hour towing service is ready to help whenever you need us.
When you need a tow, give our team a call. We’ll dispatch a tow truck mechanic to assess your vehicle’s damage and let you know if your car needs a tow or is still safe to drive. If it needs a tow, our team will bring your vehicle to our secure repair facility right away.
Our tow trucks are capable of towing vehicles considered light or medium duty, so most passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are covered.
Learn More About the Total Loss Threshold in Massachusetts
Whether your vehicle needs to be appraised as a total loss or requires repairs, the team at Collision 24 can help. If your car is repairable, then you’ll have an incredible team of certified collision repair technicians ready to move forward with repairs that will restore your ride to its former glory in no time.
If you’re looking for an estimate to determine a total loss or the cost of repairs around Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton, MA, schedule an appointment with our team today.
*Source: Kelley Blue Book