What value do car insurance companies use when totaling a car?

Answer 1

They will inspect the vehicle and then look at the value of it in the Kelly Blue Book or the National Auto Dealers Association guide to determine it's value. The insurer may also consider vehicles of like kind and quality to determine that which they are sellinf for.

The insurer will compare the value of the vehicle to the price necessary to repair it by getting estimate(s) from reputable auto repair shops and/or auto body shops. If it costs more to fix than the vehicle is worth they will total the car. The statutory law of many states require that an insurer total a car if the cost of repair exceeds a stated percentage of the actual cash value.