Auto Insurance Claims: total loss question, insurance comapny, wrecked car

Question
Hi,
My car was wrecked by another car and I'm getting my settlement soon (settlement is far less than expected). If the status of my car is total loss do I get to keep my car or does the insurance have the right to keep it? The insurance has not mentioned anything about that matter even in writing so I guess its okay to keep and sell the wrecked car to the junkyard, right?

Answer
Hi Charles,

When an insurance company settles a total loss claim they are actually buying the car from you. You will have to sign over the title and send it to them. The insurance company will then sell the salvage to try to recoup some of their money. If you want to keep the car, the insurance company will deduct from your settlement the amount they would have been able to sell the salvage for. You should call and ask the insurance comapny what their intentions are with regard to the salvage.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh