Totaled vs. Repairable

A vehicle is 'Totaled' when the cost of repair, plus the post-repair value reduction, exceeds the vehicle's pre-loss ACV — or in some states, when repair cost exceeds a fixed percentage of ACV. Otherwise it is 'Repairable' and the insurer must pay for repair.

Related terms

Total Loss Threshold

The Total Loss Threshold is the percentage of a vehicle's pre-loss value at which an insurer must declare it a total loss. Thresholds are set by state law (statutory) or insurance company policy (contractual) and typically range from 65% to 100%.

Constructive Total Loss

A Constructive Total Loss is a vehicle that is not physically destroyed but where the cost of repair plus salvage value exceeds the pre-loss value. Most total-loss declarations are constructive, not literal.

Free review first

Need help with a real total-loss claim?

Your consultation and offer review are free. If we agree to be your appraiser, our service is $199 for the appraisal research plus up to 2 hours of appointed-appraiser work at $149/hour.

Free appraisal consultation — and you pay nothing unless we get you at least $1,000 more. Our average is $3,260 more.No upfront payment — we pre-authorize your card only after reviewing your consultation and agreeing to take the engagement.

Get My Free Appraisal Consultation See full pricing

The minimum guarantee is a full service-fee waiver when an accepted engagement does not deliver the minimum additional value over the insurer's initial offer. Results vary. See terms.