What Is A Total Loss Claim And What Does It Mean For You?

For most of us, our cars are an integral part of our daily lives. That’s why it can be so devastating when hail damages your car, making it risky to drive and turning your once-pristine automobile into an eyesore in your driveway. 

If the damage is purely aesthetic, then why is driving with hail damage so risky? When you drive dinged, your vehicle’s total value has been lowered – which puts your asset at risk in the event of a total loss.  

Definition of a Total Loss

When your vehicle needs repairs that cost more than 50% of a car’s value, you may have a total loss claim. Once a car has been determined a total loss, insurance companies will assess the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle prior to the event that caused the loss. If your car had existing damage, like dents from a past hail storm, the value of your vehicle decreases – which means your total loss check will be much smaller if you didn’t have your vehicle repaired. 

Unfortunately, there are some cases where an insurance company might deem your car a total loss when it can actually be repaired at a reasonable price. This is especially true in states where there are few regulations governing insurance companies thresholds for total loss. In Texas, state law allows for the value of repairs to reach 100% of the value of the vehicle. It’s the insurance policies that cause the total loss to occur at anything below 100% for their business’s economic benefit. 

Additionally, if you financed your vehicle with a loan, you will need to repay that loan regardless of whether or not your vehicle was totaled. In the case of a total loss, the insurance company will remit payment on what they determine is the actual cash value, minus your deductible and any pre-existing damage, directly to the lienholder. If there is a surplus after the loan is paid off, you may receive a small refund. If your loan balance is more than the cash value (as is usually the case) you will find yourself still owing money on a loan you no longer have the car for!

How to Get the Most Out of Your Total Loss Claim

While it may seem more logical to wait until hail season is over to repair any damage, you actually increase the risk of total loss the longer you wait. If you get in a wreck before you repair the hail damage and your vehicle is totaled, your insurance will subtract the thousands of dollars of hail damage your vehicle had from your check. Therefore, you will get a lot less money out of your total loss claim and might even end up owing money to your lender.

Additionally, waiting to repair hail damage on your vehicle can lead to cracks and rust in your windows and paneling. This will continue to devalue your vehicle and cost you even more money in the long run.

At Dent Mechanic Group, our paintless dent repair (PDR) professionals are able to remove dents without causing any additional damage or paintwork. With our team of highly trained experts and specialized tools, your vehicle will look as good as it did before the hailstorm rolled around. We provide this repair at no cost to you and in the end, will save you thousands of dollars when you go to sell or trade in your vehicle. 

We also will contact your insurance company and file a claim on your behalf so you never have to deal with them. When we contact your insurance company, it shows that you are serious about getting it repaired and you don’t have to worry about waiting weeks to get your car looked at or receiving a low offer or settlement for your car.

With PDR, you may be able to save money on your car’s total loss claim by repairing minor dents rather than having your car written off altogether.

How Dent Mechanic Group Can Help

Dent Mechanic Group’s #1 priority is taking care of you and your vehicle. Our staff of highly-trained paintless dent repair experts will repair the damage quickly and efficiently at no out-of-pocket cost to you. We also offer free pick up and delivery and if needed, a free Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 

We have repaired thousands of cars in DFW over 6 years, have over 600 5-star reviews on Google, and operate year-round, not just when a bad hail storm hits.

We rely on our extensive knowledge, training, and experience to provide the highest quality paintless dent repair service and our promise of a no-hassle experience so you can be back in your car in no time.