I am so unfortunate to have been in an accident here in California and my car was declared a total loss by my car insurance company. If I decide to keep my damaged car, will my insurance company let me to? If not, how quick will they send me a check?

Lawson

Victorville, CA

Generally, a damaged vehicle will be for sale at a salvage yard and your auto insurance provider in California will own the profits of this auction. In case you want to hold on to your damaged vehicle, and the state law allows it, your auto insurance provider would obtain bids from salvage purchaser to establish the fair market value of the salvaged vehicle and they would subtract that amount from your payment. A lot of states are requiring the title to be altered to a “salvage title” and this would mean that you are not capable of registering for plates pending the completion of the repairs and request for a new title. You may ask the claim adjuster about the salvage laws in California and make a decision if it will be practical to hold on to your vehicle and repair it.

Regarding your check, majority of auto insurance providers would issue you a check within a few days of confirming the actual cash value. In case you are leasing your vehicle, the reimbursement will go straight to the leasing company. In case you are financing the vehicle, the compensation will go to the finance company or the bank and you obtain the rest. In case you own the vehicle, you would receive the full check for sure.