Totaled Car Value Calculator

What is a totaled car?

A car is considered totaled when the cost to repair it is too high compared to what the car is worth.

Insurance companies usually decide this in one of two ways:

1. Threshold rule
   If repair costs exceed a set percentage of the car’s value, the car is a total loss.
   Many states use 75% as the standard threshold.
2. Total loss formula (TLF)
   If repair costs + salvage value are greater than or equal to the car’s value, the car is totaled.

This calculator checks both methods and shows the result clearly.

What this Totaled Car Value Calculator does

This calculator analyzes your situation using real-world insurance logic. It tells you:

• Whether the car is likely repairable or a total loss
• The repair ratio compared to the legal threshold
• Your insurance settlement amount
• How much goes to the lender, if you have a loan
• Whether you’ll receive cash or still owe money
• The cost to keep the vehicle if you retain salvage

All results update instantly once you enter the numbers.

Inputs explained in plain English

Each field in the calculator reflects something insurers already use.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

This is the car’s value before the accident.
It is based on age, mileage, condition, and local market prices.

Example:
If similar cars sell for $15,000, your ACV is about $15,000.

Salvage value

This is what the damaged car is worth as-is to a salvage buyer.

If you keep the car after a total loss, this amount is deducted from your settlement.

Repair estimate

This is the body shop’s estimate to fix the car.

It does not include guesswork. Insurers rely heavily on this number.

Rental and storage costs

These are extra claim-related costs, such as:

• Rental car fees
• Storage yard charges

They count toward the total loss calculation.

Loan balance

If you are financing the car, this is what you still owe the lender.

This number matters because the insurance check usually goes to the lender first.

Deductible

This is the amount you agreed to pay under your insurance policy.

It is subtracted from the final settlement.

State threshold percentage

Most states use 75%, which is why the calculator defaults to that number.

You can change it if your state uses a different rule.

How the calculator decides “total loss” vs “repairable”

The calculator runs two tests at the same time.

1. Repair ratio test

It divides total repair-related costs by the ACV.

Example:

• ACV: $15,000
• Repairs + rental: $11,500
• Repair ratio: 76.6%

If this exceeds the threshold, the car is a total loss.

2. Total loss formula test

It adds:

• Repair cost
• Rental/storage
• Salvage value

If that total meets or exceeds the ACV, the car is totaled.

If either test fails, the verdict becomes TOTAL LOSS.

Understanding the results section

Once you click Analyze Claim, the results appear.

Verdict

Shows TOTAL LOSS or REPAIRABLE, using color for quick clarity.

Repair ratio bar

A visual indicator that shows:

• Your repair ratio
• The red line where total loss begins

This makes it easy to see how close the decision is.

Settlement amount

This is calculated as:

ACV – deductible

This is the gross amount the insurer pays.

Loan payoff

Shows how much of the settlement goes to the lender.

Cash to you or loan gap

• If the number is positive, you receive that cash.
• If it is negative, you still owe the lender the difference.

This is where GAP insurance becomes important.

Owner retain cost

If you keep the totaled car, this shows how much value is deducted due to salvage.

TLF threshold

This shows the dollar amount that triggers a total loss under your state’s percentage rule.

Why this calculator is useful

Most people hear “your car is totaled” without seeing the math.

This tool changes that by:

• Making the decision transparent
• Showing how close the claim is to the cutoff
• Revealing loan gaps before you’re surprised
• Helping you question low repair or ACV estimates

It gives you facts, not opinions.

Common mistakes people make

• Underestimating ACV
  A low ACV can force a total loss unfairly.
• Ignoring rental costs
  These can push a repair into total loss territory.
• Not checking the threshold
  Small percentage differences matter.
• Forgetting loan balance
  This is how people end up owing money on a car they no longer have.