Are you trying to make a vehicle damage claim after surviving a car accident? It's a good idea to know the status of your vehicle before claiming the insurance. Generally, your car will be considered a total loss if it is severely damaged in an accident and cannot be repaired or will cost more than its value to be recovered. If this is the case, you should know how to handle the situation. Making a total loss car insurance claim can be a long procedure. Usually, the insurance company will ask you these two primary questions before declaring your car a total loss:

1. What is the actual cash value (A.C.V.) vs. the cost of vehicle repair?

To estimate the A.C.V. of a car, the insurance companies will consider the vehicle's current condition and its mileage. If the calculated A.C.V. is lower than the cost of repair, your car is likely to be declared a total loss.

2. What do state laws say?

The insurer is required to follow the state laws while declaring your car a total loss. They can't make any arbitrary decisions during the investigation.

How to Make a Total Loss Car Insurance Claim

Here are some steps that you should follow to make a car total loss insurance claim:

• Paying Your Deductible- If someone else has caused the accident, the total loss settlement will be paid by them. If you are responsible for the accident, your collision coverage will kick in to help once you have paid the deductible.
• Get Paid- After the insurance carrier determines the A.C.V. of your car, you can get the amount excluding the deductible, fees, and the loan balance (if there is any). The remaining money can help you buy a new vehicle.
• Renting a Car- If you have rental car coverage, you can use the rented car for a period specified in your policy.
• Purchasing a New Car- If you're in the market for a new car, first work out your needs and how best to purchase one during the pandemic. Once you've secured a purchase, protect it with reliable car insurance.

You can safeguard your car by getting the right auto coverage that includes total loss car insurance claims. Do you have additional questions about your auto insurance? Contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California.