Can a Totaled Car Be Repaired? What Virginia Drivers Should Know

Hearing that your vehicle has been “totaled” after an accident can make it sound like the car is beyond repair. But that isn’t always what the term means.

A vehicle may be declared a total loss because the insurance company determines that repairing it isn’t financially practical based on its value and the estimated cost of repairs. Depending on the extent and type of damage, the vehicle itself may still be repairable.

At Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service, our Ashland body shop provides professional totaled car repair and collision repair services. If you’re considering keeping and repairing a totaled vehicle, understanding your options is an important first step.

What Does It Mean When a Car Is Totaled?

A “totaled” vehicle is generally one that an insurance company has determined to be a total loss after an accident or other covered event.

Totaled Doesn’t Always Mean Destroyed

A vehicle doesn’t necessarily need to be crushed, severely mangled, or incapable of driving to be considered totaled. The determination is largely financial and is influenced by factors such as the vehicle’s pre-accident value, estimated repair costs, salvage value, and applicable insurance requirements.

That means an older vehicle with relatively moderate damage may be declared a total loss simply because its market value is lower. For example, the same type of collision damage could potentially result in an insurance company repairing a newer, higher-value vehicle while declaring an older vehicle a total loss.

Can You Keep a Vehicle After It’s Totaled?

Depending on the circumstances, an owner may have the option to retain a vehicle after an insurance company declares it a total loss. However, keeping and repairing the vehicle can affect the insurance settlement and may involve title, inspection, registration, or insurance requirements.

Before making a decision, ask your insurance company how retaining the vehicle would affect your claim and research the applicable Virginia DMV requirements.

Is It Worth Repairing a Totaled Vehicle?

There isn’t one answer that applies to every totaled car. The decision should depend on the vehicle, the type of damage, repair costs, and what you plan to do with it afterward.

Start With a Professional Damage Assessment

Before deciding whether to repair a totaled vehicle, you need to understand the extent of the damage.

Collision damage isn’t always limited to what you can see from outside the vehicle. A professional collision repair assessment can help identify damage to body panels, structural components, suspension parts, steering components, and other systems affected by the impact.

Safety should be the priority. A vehicle shouldn’t be repaired simply because it can be repaired; the repair needs to restore the vehicle appropriately and address damage that could affect safe operation.

Consider the Vehicle’s Long-Term Value

There may be situations where repairing a totaled vehicle makes sense. Perhaps the vehicle has relatively low mileage, has been well maintained, or would cost considerably more to replace with a comparable vehicle.

In other situations, the repair expense and post-repair value may make replacing the vehicle the more practical choice.

Before moving forward, compare the expected repair costs with the cost of replacing the vehicle and consider how a total-loss or branded title could affect future resale value and insurance coverage.

What Happens If You Decide to Repair It?

If you decide that keeping the vehicle makes sense, choosing an experienced auto body repair shop is important.

The repair process will depend entirely on the damage. A vehicle may require body panel repair or replacement, structural repairs, paint and refinishing work, suspension or steering repairs, or other mechanical work resulting from the collision.

A thorough repair plan helps determine what is necessary to restore the vehicle properly rather than simply making it look good again.

Totaled Car Repair in Ashland, VA

An insurance company’s decision to total your vehicle doesn’t automatically answer the question of whether you should repair it.

Our Ashland body shop, located at 216 S. Washington Highway Ashland, VA 23005 can evaluate your vehicle’s damage and help you better understand the repairs it may require. From collision repair and bodywork to more extensive repairs following an accident, our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

If your vehicle has been declared a total loss and you’re considering keeping it, learn more about totaled car repair in Ashland, VA and give us a call at (804) 798-4826 to talk with the Ferber’s team about your options.