What happens if my car is totaled and I have full coverage?
Matthew Underwood
Published Jan 19, 2026
If you have comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, it will likely reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle (again, minus your deductible). If your car is totaled in an accident that is caused by another driver, your collision coverage may first come into play.
How can I get the most money for my totaled car?
Summary: How to negotiate the best settlement for your totaled car
- Know what you are selling to your car insurance company.
- Prepare your counter offer.
- Determine the comparables (comps) in the area.
- Obtain a written settlement offer from the auto insurance company.
- Make your counter offer for your totaled car.
At what speed do airbags deploy?
Frontal air bags are generally designed to deploy in “moderate to severe” frontal or near-frontal crashes, which are defined as crashes that are equivalent to hitting a solid, fixed barrier at 8 to 14 mph or higher. (This would be equivalent to striking a parked car of similar size at about 16 to 28 mph or higher.)
When does an insurance company pay for a totaled car?
It is important to remember that an insurance company will only offer to pay for a totaled vehicle if the accident is covered under the policy. This usually means that your car total loss not at fault and your loss is being paid by the liable driver, or if you were at fault that you had comprehensive coverage on your car.
What to do if your car is totaled by another driver?
If you were in an accident with another motorist, you may file a claim with your insurance, the other driver’s insurance, or both. You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the other driver if you sustained injuries. Who pays for your totaled car depends on your insurance coverage and whether your state is a fault state or a no-fault state.
What happens if my car is a total loss?
In other cases, the insurer determines whether a vehicle is considered a total loss. Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage help pay to replace a totaled vehicle. These two separate coverages are typically required on your car insurance policy if you’re leasing or financing your vehicle.
Can a car with no down payment be totaled?
If you financed a new car purchase with no down payment, you may owe more than your car is worth due to depreciation. However, you may be off the hook if you have total loss insurance or gap insurance.
