Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance Company: Total versus repair, loan holder, insurance adjuster

Question
I hit a large deer in my 1996 Infiniti I30. My insurance adjuster sent me to the estimator. Estimate for repair is $2506 minus my $500 deductible ($5006). I owe ~$2500.00 on car. I talked to my loan holder and they asked why the insurance did not total my car? Where is the line between totalling a vehicle and repairing a vehicle?  Do I have any say in the process? Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Ronda,

Most insurance companies will total a vehicle is the cost of repairs is 75% or more of the value of the vehicle. However there are no laws that require this. They can actually pay upto 100% of the value to repair the vehicle and I have seen them even pay more.

If your car has already been repaired there is nothing you can do. If repairs have not been started you should call the insurance company and start demanding that they total the car.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh