Auto Insurance Claims: total loss accident, state insurance company, comparable vehicles

Question
I was recently in an accident where the front end of my car was significantly damaged. My adjuster will not be available till Tuesday.  The officer that took my information was of the opinion it will probably be a total loss. Could you tell where the adjusters get their information on what the vehicle is worth, and if there may be other factors involved in the payoff of the totaled vehicle.

Answer
The methodology for determining value varies from state to state, insurance company to insurance company.  The most prevailing method is to use outside information data bases that actually track the selling prices of comparable vehicles in a given market area.  This has absolutely no relation to any publication as their prices are not based on actual data.  KBB and NADA suggested retail are only representing fully reconditioned vehicles sitting on a car lot, often with a warranty and the price is only a suggested starting point for negotiation.  In reality, most cars sell for at least 20% less.

What your payoff is has absolutely nothing to do with what your car is worth.  The insurance company has no control or responsibility for your personal finances or what you owe on your car.