When a car is too damaged to fix, we say it’s “totaled.” This means the car can’t be repaired safely or it’s too expensive to do so. If this happens, the car’s insurance company decides how much the car was worth before the crash and gives money for that amount. But who actually gets this money?
If You Own the Car Outright
If you paid for your car in full and don’t owe any money on it, the insurance company will usually give you the check directly. This is because you are the full owner of the car.
If You Still Owe Money on the Car
Many people have a loan for their car, which means they are still paying money to a bank or finance company for it. If the car is totaled, the insurance company will first pay off what you owe to the bank or finance company. If there’s any money left after paying off the loan, you will get the rest.
What Happens Next?
After the insurance company pays the money:
- If you owned the car outright, you can use the money to buy a new car or for something else.
- If you had a loan, and there’s money left after paying it off, you can also use that extra money however you want.
- If the money from the insurance isn’t enough to pay off the loan, you will still need to pay the rest of the loan.
Tips for Dealing with Insurance
- Check your car’s value: Before you agree to the insurance company’s amount, check how much your car is worth.
- Talk to your lender: If you have a loan, talk to your lender about the process and what you need to do.
- Ask questions: If you don’t understand something, ask the insurance company to explain.
Conclusion
When a car is totaled, the insurance check goes to the person or company that owns the car. If you have a loan, the lender gets paid first. It’s important to know how much your car is worth and to talk to your lender and insurance company to make sure everything goes smoothly.