Can You Trade In A Totaled Car?

Can You Trade In A Totaled Car?

If you have a car that’s been declared a total loss, you can trade it in.

Generally, if your insurance company declares your car a total loss, it will buy the car from you and send you a check. However, if you believe you can get more for your car than your insurance company is valuing it, you have the option to buy back the car.

When your insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss, it will typically send you a check for the value of the car minus your deductible. When you keep the vehicle, you still get a check. However, on top of subtracting the deductible, they will also subtract what they expected to receive for your vehicle at auction.

Once you receive the check and your vehicle’s title, you can trade it in to dealerships and put the money towards a new vehicle.

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Where Can You Trade In A Total Loss Car?

Where Can You Trade In A Total Loss Car?

It is possible to trade in a totaled car to a dealership. However, not all dealerships will accept totaled cars. Most dealerships specialize in buying and selling driveable cars, so cars that require extensive repairs may be more difficult to deal with.

Some dealerships will accept totaled cars. However, they may offer you a lower trade-in value for the vehicle then you would get for selling it in other places. If you are determined to trade your vehicle into a dealership, make sure to shop around and get quotes from different locations.

Keep in mind that when you choose a dealership to trade in your vehicle, you are generally also choosing the dealership you will buy your car from. Make sure to consider both what they will offer you for your vehicle and what cars they have in inventory when choosing between dealers.

Should You Sell A Totaled Car Or Trade It In?

Oftentimes, a dealership will offer you the lowest quotes for a totaled car out of all your options. Unless you want to get a new car fast and don’t care very much about how much you get for your current totaled vehicle, it’s often a better idea to go elsewhere.

You can sell your car to a local junkyard or scrap yard (sometimes, for a better price). A junkyard will recycle the metal in your car, sell reusable parts to other customers and keep it from going into a landfill.

Should You Sell A Totaled Car Or Trade It In?

When selling to a yard, it’s still important to call around for quotes. This is because some junkyards will offer you a quote based on the specific make and model of your car. Other yards might offer you a flat rate based on the type of car you have — a sedan, a pickup truck, etc. You might get a much better price from one yard than another.

Another option is to sell your damaged car online. Going online can help you get quotes quickly and easily. Additionally, virtually all online buyers will include free towing. However, some businesses might guarantee their quotes ahead of time, while others will require an in-person evaluation.

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How To Sell A Totaled Car To DamagedCars.com

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  2. Fill out the form.

  3. Get your offer!

You can get a guaranteed offer fast by including photos of your vehicle and its VIN. If you accept our offer, our helpful associate buyers will work with you to schedule a pickup at a time that’s convenient for you.

The tow truck driver will arrive with a check in hand. All you need to do is sign the car title and hand over the keys, and you will receive payment on the stop.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Keep My Vehicle If The Insurance Company Totals It?

It is absolutely within possibility for you to keep your vehicle if your insurance company declares it a total loss. That said, repairing the car is now your responsibility. Depending on the severity of the damage and/or the cost of repairs, it might be better to let your insurance company take the vehicle off your hands.

How Do I Negotiate The Best Settlement For My Totaled Car?

When negotiating a settlement for your totaled car with your insurance company:

  1. Know the features of the car you’re selling to the insurance company.
  2. Prepare your counter offer.
  3. Determine the comparable offers in the area.
  4. Obtain a written settlement offer from the auto insurance company.
  5. Make your counter offer on your totaled vehicle.

Can I Take Parts Off My Totaled Car?

You can remove parts from your totaled car. However, the total loss value of your vehicle will decrease with their absence!
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