How to decide after a collision.
After an accident, the math question is simple to state and hard to answer: does it make sense to repair the car, or is it time to let it go? The decision comes down to repair cost versus the car's value, your insurance company's total-loss threshold, and a few factors most people overlook — like diminished value and what a comparable replacement would actually cost you today.
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Insurers compare the estimated cost of repairs to the vehicle's actual cash value (ACV) — what your car was worth the moment before the crash. If repairs approach or exceed a set percentage of ACV, the carrier declares a total loss. The exact percentage varies by insurer and state, but it's commonly in the 70–80% range. Below that, repair is usually the path; above it, you'll likely get a total-loss settlement instead.
A scary-looking estimate doesn't automatically mean your car is totaled. Newer vehicles with high ACV can absorb a large repair bill and still be well under the threshold. An older car with low ACV, on the other hand, can be totaled by what looks like moderate damage. This is exactly why a thorough, accurate estimate matters — and why you want a shop that documents hidden damage rather than guessing low.
Even a perfectly repaired car can be worth less simply because it now has an accident on its history report. That's called diminished value, and in Maryland you may be able to recover it from the at-fault driver's insurance. It's a real cost worth factoring into your decision and your claim.
If your car runs well, you know its history, it's paid off, and repairs come in comfortably under the total-loss threshold, fixing it is almost always cheaper than buying and financing a replacement at today's prices. We give you an honest, itemized estimate so you can make the call with real numbers — not a guess.
When repair costs reach your insurer's total-loss threshold — often 70–80% of the car's actual cash value, though it varies by company and state. Below that, they'll usually pay to repair it.
Often yes — you can request an owner-retention settlement and keep the vehicle with a salvage title, then rebuild and re-inspect it. Maryland's MVA has a specific process for titling rebuilt salvage vehicles.
Diminished value is the loss in your car's resale worth simply because it now has an accident on record. In Maryland you may be able to recover it from the at-fault party's insurer. Keep your repair documentation.
An independent, detailed estimate helps you understand the true scope of damage and gives you leverage if the insurer's number seems low. We provide free written estimates.