Can You Take a Totaled Car to an Auto Body Repair Shop in California?
Can a totaled car be taken to an auto body repair shop in California? Perhaps your car was considered a complete loss, but you simply weren’t sure which options were left for you after that.
Repairing a car that some would say is totaled can be very confusing, especially when trying to work in insurance and repair cost estimates. Don’t sweat it, for this article will take you through all you need to know to go ahead and make an informed decision on whether repairing your car is the right choice for you.
What is a Totaled Car?
A totaled car is a vehicle that has incurred damage to the extent that repairing it would cost more than the value of the car. Insurance companies most of the time declare a car totaled when the repair expenses go over a certain percentage of the cost of the market value, often around 70-80%.
The insurance adjuster will research the ACV of your vehicle based on the age, mileage, and condition prior to the accident to decide whether it is considered totally damaged. It is officially considered a total loss when the amount to repair is higher than the value.
For example, if your car was valued at $5,000 and the estimated repairs are $6,000, your insurance company will more than likely declare it totaled. But just because it’s declared totaled doesn’t mean it’s not capable of being salvaged-just that the cost of repair outweighs the value of the vehicle.
Understanding what makes your car declared totaled is integral in making decisions toward its repairability.
Can You Take a Totaled Car to an Auto Body Repair Shop in California?
California law is explicit about a consumer’s right to choose an auto body shop in case an insurance company declares his/her car a total loss. This right is the most essential in consumer protection so that you are not forced to go to a shop, which does not meet your standard of quality, or is in a network with your insurance.
However, it’s important to note that the insurance company may have recommendations or preferred shops, but you are not obligated to use these options. This gives you the flexibility to choose a repair shop that you trust, even if your car is considered totaled.
Whether or not to repair a totaled car depends, for the most part, on individual circumstances and the terms of your insurance policy.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether to Repair a Totaled Car
Although California law grants you the freedom to choose your repair shop, there are several factors weighing into the decision of whether to repair a totaled car.
Here are some critical considerations that can help you arrive at a decision:
1. Insurance Coverage
Insurance will, at most, declare it totaled and provide a payout according to market value rather than covering the cost of repair. If damages exceed your policy’s payout offer for a car declared totaled, you may not have enough money to repair it.
If you want to repair the car with the help of insurance policy money, then you should know whether the insurance company will cover all the repair costs at a particular shop or whether the repair is completely your responsibility.
2. Repair Costs vs. Car Value
Even if you are eligible, there is one practical problem more or less irreconcilable with the right to repair, and that would be the cost of repair. Most of these cars, when totaled, their costs for repair end up being more than their market value. For example, your car might be of an older model, and hence its cost for labor and parts could rapidly go up in such repairs. Many insurance companies have a total loss threshold, meaning it is some percentage of the value of the car. If the damage is minor but the repair costs are high, you may end up spending more than the car is worth and find that perhaps it wasn’t such a valid financial decision.
3. Safety Concerns
The safety of the vehicle is another concern one gets when repairing a totaled car. In an accident, a totaled car may have sustained major damage to its frame or essential components, which could affect its integrity and make it unsafe to drive. The structural damage will compromise the car’s safety even after repair in subsequent accidents. Before proceeding or undertaking any repair, you shall consult with a professional mechanic or an auto body shop about the safety condition after the repairs.
4. Insurance Company’s Stance
Although California law permits you to decide on a repair shop, the insurance company can have a say in whether or not repairs are viable. Many times, they may want it declared a total loss, claiming that it is economically not feasible to repair it. If you opt to repair the car, the insurance company may be willing to pay for repairs, but this is subject to your coverage and the extent of the damage.
Conclusion
In California, you can still go ahead to have your car repaired at the auto body shop even if the insurance company decides it’s totaled. However, as far as repair goes concerning an already totaled car, the line of decision isn’t directly connected.
You must look out for key reasons with your insurance policy guiding the car, how much its repair would cost, safety influence, and most importantly, the statement of the insurance company regarding this matter.
By keeping all these factors in mind, you will be able to make a wise decision on whether it is worth the effort to rebuild your totaled car.
Don’t wait, schedule your estimate today and learn how financing can work for you. Let’s keep your car safe, functional, and looking great. Contact us now for a free estimate and prompt service that exceeds your expectations. Your car deserves the best, and so do you. Choose Long Beach Collision Center.