How Do I Know If My Car is Totaled?

If you have been in an accident, or if your car has sustained major damage due to another unforeseen issue, you may be wondering if it is a total loss. Determining whether a car is totaled is an important step in the insurance claim and repair process, so it’s essential to accurately identify this status before proceeding. To determine if a car is totaled, you’ll need to consider the cost of repairs in comparison to the market value of your vehicle.

Continue below to learn more about these considerations, plus what you can do with your totaled vehicle if you do not have auto insurance coverage in Indiana.

Call 317-450-3721 For Indianapolis Cash For Junk Cars!
Call 317-450-3721 For Indianapolis Cash For Junk Cars!

What Makes a Car Totaled?

If the cost of repairing your car exceeds its market value, then it is likely to be considered a total loss. This means that the insurance company will not cover the repair costs because it would not make financial sense to do so. Instead, you will receive a payout from the insurance company that is equivalent to the market value of your car prior to its damage.

Evaluating a Total Loss Vehicle

In order to determine if your car has been totaled, there are several steps you can take. First, contact your auto insurance provider and inquire about the claims process for total loss vehicles. Your provider will likely be able to provide you with an estimated value of your car as well as information about the claims process.

It is also important to have a mechanic inspect any damage your car has sustained. This will help determine the extent of the repairs necessary, and it could potentially reduce repair costs in some cases if applicable. Once you have received an estimate from your mechanic, compare the estimated cost of repairs to the market value of your vehicle.

Ultimately, if the cost to repair your car is greater than its total value, it will be considered a total loss and you will receive a payout from the insurance provider. Remember to also take into consideration any salvageable parts that could reduce the cost of repairs.

Tips For Dealing With a Salvaged Car

By following the steps above, you can determine if your car is a total loss and begin the insurance claim process accordingly. Knowing whether or not your car can be salvaged will help you make an informed decision about how to proceed with any necessary repairs. As always, we recommend consulting with a professional before making any decisions about your automobile.

Don’t have insurance? Or you just don’t wish to claim your totaled vehicle under your insurance? Choose to sell it to a local Indianapolis auto salvage yard for cash on the spot. Contact Zore’s Inc. Cash for Cars division at 317-450-3721 to get a free, over-the-phone quote from an honest and reputable Indianapolis junk car buyer. We serve all of Central Indiana with free junk car removal!

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What You Should Know About Keeping a Totaled Vehicle

Although you came out fine on the other end of your accident, your car did not. You then receive a phone call from your car insurance adjuster notifying you that your vehicle is a total loss and suggests ditching it at a local scrap yard. But what if you want to keep your totaled car? Is it possible? Is it legal? What are the benefits? Are there any disadvantages? These questions and more like them are all too common for those with a totaled vehicle on their hands.

If you are facing the same dilemma, and still unsure what to do with your totaled car, continue reading for some helpful information and advice.

Totaled Car Buyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-450-3721
Totaled Car Buyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-450-3721

There are Several Rules About Totaled Cars

When a car is involved in a collision that renders it incapable of driving safely, it will be towed at the scene of the accident. But if you really want to keep your vehicle and avoid paying impound fees later on, there is a chance you could stop the tow truck from retrieving your vehicle and call your own tow truck to have your vehicle hauled back to your home. Keep in mind that if you live in a public complex, it may be against the rules to have totaled or unkempt vehicles on the property, in which case, the management would have it towed away without your knowing. So, the real question you should be asking yourself is not, “Can I”, but rather, “Should I?”

The obligations and obstacles you are likely to encounter by keeping your totaled vehicle may not be worth whatever reason you have to hold onto it. And even though you might want to repair it, if the insurance company deems your vehicle a total loss, you cannot get a clean title for the vehicle, only a salvaged one.

Furthermore, it can be quite a challenge to get a DMV to approve any repairs you want to make on a total loss car, and even more difficult getting approval to re-brand the title as “rebuilt.” Even after getting your car repaired, the DMV will not allow you to legally operate it until it passes a rigorous inspection.

What is a Total Loss Vehicle?

A “total loss” describes a vehicle is so damaged, the cost of repair would exceed its current market value. For instance, a car that is worth $2,000 but costs $3,500 to repair is deemed a “total loss” by insurance company standards. So, it wouldn’t make sense to repair a vehicle if it’s totaled unless there were spectacular sentiment tied to it.

What You Can Do With a Totaled Car

If your car is totaled, and branded a total loss by your insurance company, it is best to scrap it for its metal and make some extra cash at the same time. Contact a local Indianapolis auto salvage yard to request an estimate from a reputable junk car buyer. Any motorized vehicle can also be sold to a junk car buyer, such as motorbikes, motorcycles, ATVs, mopeds, tractors, lawn mowers, construction equipment, watercrafts, boats, jet skis, farming equipment, trailers, and anything that ran on fuel. Many junk car buyers also accept automotive parts.

Are you ready to sell your wrecked car for cash on the spot? Contact us at 317-450-3721 to speak with an Indianapolis cash for junk cars buyer and get a free offer today. We serve all of Central Indiana with free junk car removal!

Related Posts:

When You Can’t Afford to Repair Your Car
How Much is My Wrecked Car Worth?
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When There Might Be a Problem With Your Car’s Suspension

When it comes to investment protection and dependable performance, a suspension problem is an issue you want to catch as early as possible. If a worn-out suspension is ignored, marks of trouble will start to appear very quickly. Common indications of transmission distress include excessive wear and tear on tires, faulty alignment, and daunting sounds like bouncing, knocking, banging, or thumping.

If you think your vehicle is experiencing any of these issues, it is important to address them as soon as you can. Otherwise, you risk turning your vehicle into a total loss. If this happens, you will have to claim a totaled car under insurance policy, or sell it to a local junk car buyer for instant cash.

Indianapolis Indiana Total Loss Car Buyers
Indianapolis Indiana Total Loss Car Buyers 317-450-3721

When to Inspect a Car Suspension:

Towing, Long-Distance Driving, and More

Even if you are not aware of any mechanical problems with your vehicle’s suspension, there are still many other reasons you should get it inspected on a regular basis. For instance, if you are a frequent commuter, drive long distances, or tow heavy freights with your car, you need routine suspension inspection and service. One time per year is a good schedule to follow, but you should increase this to 2 times per year if you tow heavy cargoes on a regular basis.

Old Age or Poor Condition

Another reason to get your car suspension inspected has to do with its age and condition. Older vehicles, or vehicles in poor condition, will need more maintenance and service than a newer model vehicle in good condition. If you have an old or problematic vehicle, it may be wise to get all routine factory scheduled maintenance on a yearly basis, not just the suspension.

After an Accident

You should always have your car’s suspension checked after an accident as well, regardless of how minor you think the accident was. Even a tiny impact can cause your alignment to offset or damage a suspension. If the accident causes suspension issues, and you neglect to have them looked at, you could risk facing a hefty repair bill later down the road; or worse, you can total your vehicle.

You Can Always Sell Your Junked Car in Indiana

If you cannot afford to repair your car or purchase a new one, then junking your car for cash in Indiana could be your best solution. Selling your wrecked or broken down vehicle will give you access to instant cash. This cash can go toward a down payment on a new car from a used car lot. It can even be put toward a new car in some cases, depending on how much you get.

Do you have a broken down suspension that costs too much to repair? Call 317-450-3721 to speak with friendly Indianapolis junk car buyers about selling your total loss vehicle for cash on the spot. We accept anything with a motor, regardless of age or condition.

You Might Also Read:

Common Automotive Damages That Can Total a Car
Most Affordable Solutions for Car Engine Problems
Top 5 Factors Used to Determine the Total Loss Value of a Car

Cash for Cars Indianapolis
Cash for Cars Indianapolis 317-450-3721

Most Affordable Solutions for Car Engine Problems

The engine inside your car is basically the heart of the vehicle. Without a properly functioning engine, the rest of the systems within the car will slowly begin to fail, one by one, and then all at once. It is in your best interest to ensure your car engine is well maintained, otherwise, you might face the consequence of having to repair it or replace it, both of which will come with a hefty price tag. In fact, because engines are one of the most expensive automotive parts in a car, in some cases, a vehicle is deemed totaled by the insurance company because the cost to repair or replace the engine is more than the car’s current market value.

Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for resolving car engine problems on a budget.

Sell Us Your Totaled Car
Sell Us Your Totaled Car! 317-450-3721

Car Engine Repair

The amount of money it will cost to have your car engine repaired will depend on many factors, all of which will make the entire process stressful and inconvenient, from start to finish. Such factors include the car’s make and model, extent of damage or repaired needed, the cost of parts required for the repair, mechanic fees, and more. On average, the cost of car engine repair falls between $1000 and $4000, which is why so often, cars are deemed a total loss after suffering engine failures or defects.

Car Engine Replacement

Replacing a car engine can also be expensive, especially if you own a newer car and wish to buy a brand new engine. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000 for a car that is 10 years old. Newer cars will be more, older cars will be less, and luxury and commercial-use vehicles are virtually twice the price. These costs do not even include the price you have to pay for installation and service. To save money, you can consider buying a used or rebuilt car engine.  Not only are they are less expensive than a brand new engine or vehicle, they are also just as reliable as a brand new one, and often times, still comes with a warranty. 

Totaled Cars

In the case that you cannot afford either of these options after discovering car engine problems, or your insurance company deems your car a total loss but offers you a tiny settlement, you might want to consider scrapping your vehicle for cash. In many cases, this can be quite profitable, and the best option for those experiencing serious engine troubles or high repair costs. Just be sure to choose an established and reputable company to do business with in order to get a fair deal.

How to Learn More About Totaled Cars

Call 317-450-3721 to speak with our friendly Indianapolis junk car buyers about selling your totaled car, today! We are the reputable and reliable junk car removal company you are searching for! We have been in business for over 25 years and will give you best return for your junk vehicle or motorized commodity. We accept anything with a motor, regardless of age or condition. Just call 317-450-3721 to get started!

Top 5 Factors Used to Determine the Total Loss Value of a Car

When you total a car that is insured, your insurance carrier will use their own proprietary software, along with state and federal requirements, to calculate the actual cash value of your vehicle. Actual Cash Value (ACV) refers to the real amount of cash your vehicle was worth at the time of loss. Unless you have a classic car that is covered under an “agreed value” policy, your insurer will likely use several factors, in addition to their own business model formula, to determine the total loss value of a junk car.

Continue reading to learn the top 5 factors used to make this determination, as well as, where you can get paid top-dollar for your totaled car in Indianapolis.

Totaled Car Buyers 317-450-3721
Totaled Car Buyers 317-450-3721

Total Loss Vehicles

A total loss vehicle is a car that is so damaged that the cost to repair it is higher than the actual cash value at the time of the loss. Although every insurance company has their own formula for calculating the actual cash value of a totaled car, all carriers will use these five factors to start their estimation:

❶ Year
❷ Make
❸ Model
❹ Mileage
❺ Condition

For instance, a 1984 Chevy Camaro with 200,000 miles that has been submerged underwater for several years will be worth much less than a 2016 Chevy Camaro with 45,000 miles that has just recently been totaled in a collision.

Totaled Car With No Insurance? Or No Title?

If you total a car that is not covered under an insurance policy, your best option is to sell it to a local Indianapolis Cash for Cars Company. They will use a combination of electronic weight scales, XRF analyzers, and proprietary software to calculate the actual cash value of your vehicle now that it is a total loss. You will need the car title to sell a totaled car for cash to a junk car buyer in Indiana, so read our blog “How to Replace a Lost Car Title” if yours is lost or destroyed.

Where to Sell a Totaled Car in Indianapolis

Call 317-450-3721 to sell a totaled car in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash on the spot. We will buy your junk vehicle regardless of its condition, and pay you the fairest return in town! For more than 75 years, our company has been a trusted source for junk car selling, so you can trust us too! Call 317-450-3721 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis cash for cars, today.

What To Do With a Total Loss Vehicle in Indiana

If you are left with a total loss vehicle, and the insurance company is not offering much, your best bet is to sell it to a junk car buyer for instant cash on the spot! Continue reading to learn exactly what to do with your totaled car in Indianapolis.

Sell Us Your Junk Vehicle Today! 317-450-3721
Sell Us Your Junk Vehicle Today! 317-450-3721

Do You Want to Some Easy Cash?

If you are looking to make some fast cash for junk cars, but you have no idea where to start, you have come to the right place! Zore’s Inc. Cash for Cars division is your solution to getting top-dollar for salvage vehicles in Indianapolis. We have several convenient locations throughout Central Indiana, but if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!

We provide FREE same-day pickup and haul away service for anyone who wishes to sell junk cars in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas! And best of all, getting started is easy because we make the junk car selling process speedy and hassle-free! Below is a step-by-step guide explaining exactly what you need to do to get the process going.

Step-By-Step Guide to Selling a Totaled Car:

❶ Locate the Title of the Vehicle

❷ Call 317-450-3721 or 1-888-U-Junk-It

❸ Tell Us the Make and Model of the Vehicle

❹ Receive a Free Over-the-Phone Quote

If You Accept Our Offer…

❶ We Schedule Our Tow Truck to Haul Away Your Vehicle for Free
❷ Upon Arrival, You Sign Over the Title
❸ Prior to Departure, We Pay You the Quoted Price in Cash!

Why Choose Us?

☑ Cash Paid on the Spot
☑ Top Prices Paid
☑ Fully-Licensed
☑ In-House Free Towing
☑ No Hidden Fees or Charges
☑ Accepts Anything Motorized
☑ Convenient Central Indiana Locations
☑ Free Same-Day Pick Up

Contact Us Today to Request a Free Quote!

You really can sell a totaled car in Indianapolis in as little as one day! Simply call 317-450-3721 and ask for Bill if you want the best deal for your junk car. As a family owned and operated company that has done business in Indiana since 1927, you can trust that we offer the fairest and most honest returns for junk cars and vehicles!

How to Keep a Totaled Car

After an accident totals your vehicle, there are many reasons why you might choose to keep it, rather than turn it into the insurance company for a payout. If you are choosing to keep your totaled car, it is important that you know how to go about it in the right way. Regulations for keeping an insured, total loss vehicle vary from state to state, and occasionally, among cities and townships.

Continue reading to learn what you need to do if you want to keep your totaled vehicle.

Sell a Totaled Vehicle 317-450-3721
Sell a Totaled Vehicle 317-450-3721

Defining a “Total Loss” Vehicle

Although definitions vary from state to state, fundamentally, a vehicle with damages that cost more to repair than the current cash value of the vehicle. For instance, a car that is worth $2,000 but costs $3,500 to repair is deemed a “total loss” by insurance company standards.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

To properly retain ownership and possession of your total loss vehicle, you must first contact your insurance carrier. They can give you the detailed instructions, as well as alternatives, to your decision. In most cases, a car owner would accept the cash tendered by the insurance company. If you choose this option, you cannot keep possession of your vehicle. Instead, the vehicle will be collected by the insurance company and ultimately, auctioned off for its scrap value. If you reject this option, and wish to maintain possession of your totaled car, you must notify your insurance carrier at this point in time.

Warnings About Keeping a Totaled Car

Keeping your totaled vehicle means that you either wish to scrap it yourself for the parts, or you want to restore it back to its original glory for sentiment. Regardless of your intentions, it is important to understand that if your insurance carrier deems your car a total loss, the title to the vehicle will be changed to a salvage title. Furthermore, it can be quite a challenge to get a DMV to approve any repairs you want to make on a total loss car, and even more difficult getting approval to re-brand the title as “rebuilt.” Even after getting your car repaired, the DMV will not allow you to legally operate it until it passes a rigorous inspection.

Another major issue concerning total loss vehicles is insurance. Not only is it difficult getting approval over at the DMV, it is also hard to find an insurance company that will provide adequate coverage for a car that previously had a salvage title. Also, if you owe money on a car loan, or the vehicle was financed, you are not given the option to maintain possession because it is not legally yours to keep.

How to Learn More About Totaled Cars

Sell a Junk Vehicle 317-450-3721
Sell a Junk Vehicle 317-450-3721

Call 317-450-3721 to speak with our friendly Indianapolis junk car buyers about selling your totaled car, today! We are the reputable and reliable junk car removal company you are searching for! We have been in business for over 25 years and will give you best return for your junk vehicle or motorized commodity. We accept anything with a motor, regardless of age or condition. Just call 317-450-3721 to get started!