Because each state varies slightly, our total loss car accident attorneys explain what happens in a total loss car accident in California.
If you have had a vehicle (owned or leased) totaled while covered under an auto insurance policy in the last five years, you may be eligible for an additional payout.
Did your insurance company cover the value of the car but not the sales tax and other fees? Insurance companies may not be reimbursing their policyholders for the full value of their total loss vehicle, according to recent consumer allegations.
What Is Considered a Total Loss in California?
A car is considered to be a total loss in the state of California when its actual cash value is equal to or less than the cost of repairs plus the salvage value:
- Actual cash value means what the car was worth right before the damage was done.
- Salvage value is the vehicle’s worth in the damaged state.
Do I Have to Pay Off My Car if It’s Totaled?
Yes! You are still obligated to make your monthly car loan payments to your bank or lender until the loan is paid off. The loan repayment terms remain unchanged, and your legal obligation continues.
Do I Have a Choice in The Decision to Total My Car?
If, for some reason, you would prefer not to have your car totaled, you have the option of keeping it.
Total loss car accident class action lawsuits filed against insurance providers are based on the claim that the companies violate their own contracts by failing to reimburse policyholders for sales tax, title transfer fees, tag transfer fees, and more after a total loss car accident.
- Do you fulfil these criteria?
- Insured under an auto insurance policy?
- Experienced a total loss car accident?
- Not reimbursed for sales tax and other fees by your insurance company in the last five years?
If you answered “yes”, then you may qualify to join a total loss car accident class action lawsuit investigation. Contact a total loss car accident lawyer at Shamis & Gentile, P.A. today.
