Can I Choose to Keep My Car After Totaling It?

Posted on July 25, 2022 by junkcars17

For most, car accidents are emotionally-draining experiences. But with proper insurance coverage, they do not have to be financially-draining. Learn your options for keeping a totaled car, and how to do so without committing fraud with your insurance company.

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When is a Vehicle Totaled?

A vehicle is considered “totaled” when the cost to repair it back to its previous condition is more than the current value of the vehicle. Insurance companies and car manufacturers have stringent procedures and requisites in place to determine these values. With a totaled vehicle on your hands, you may feel like you are at a total loss; however, if you have insurance, you should be just fine depending on the level of coverage your policy provides.

With full coverage insurance, you can expect to receive money from your insurance provider to repair the damages, or to settle the note with the lien holder and cover the cost of a new vehicle of equal current value. If you have liability coverage, you will mostly likely receive less from your insurance provider and have to pay more out of pocket.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

If you do not have insurance, your best option is to junk the vehicle for cash and apply your profit toward a new car purchase. You can do this by contacting a trusted junk car buyer and requesting a free phone estimate. If you accept their offer, they will usually come pick up your vehicle at no extra charge! Only reputable and highly professional junk car buying companies offer this kind of service.

Insurance Claims and Totaled Cars

If your insurance company marks your car totaled, they will take your vehicle and give you a check for the current value. However, if you want to keep your totaled vehicle, you must inform your insurance company. In this case, you can expect to receive less money for the vehicle. If you were to accept money from the insurance company, and then keep your vehicle, you could be found guilty of insurance fraud depending on the specifics of your situation.

Some policies allow people to keep their totaled vehicle, while others include language that does not permit this at all. It is important to talk to your insurance provider and learn the details of what your policy covers and what it does not. Do this before an accident occurs so that you make better decisions regarding what you can do with a totaled car.

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Vital Car Fluids and What You Need to Know About Them

Posted on December 3, 2021 by junkcars17

Your vehicle is an important asset that requires routine maintenance and responsible driving to perform safely, efficiently, and for many years. Among the various car maintenance requirements for all vehicles, regardless of make or model, automotive fluid management is arguably the most important task. Your vehicle requires 7 of them, all at once, without exception. Do you know what they are?

Continue reading to learn the seven essential automotive fluids every vehicle needs to drive safely and stay in good condition for years to come.

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Your Vehicle Needs These 7 Car Fluids

Motor Oil

Engine oil is of course one of the most well-known and significant fluids for cars and trucks. It lubricates all the inner workings and moving parts of a car engine’s crank case to reduce heat-causing friction. Without proper lubrication at all times, parts like pistons, valves, and more, are subject to damage. This renders a motor useless.

Depending on the make and model of your particular vehicle, the schedule for oil changes will vary slightly. Check your owners’ manual or consult a trusted local mechanic for information about your vehicle’s factory scheduled maintenance. Generally, motor oil should be changed every 5,000 or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Radiator Fluid

Your vehicle’s coolant is a must, since without it, your car is sure to overheat. Radiator fluid, also called coolant or antifreeze, is a 50/50 combination of solution and water, and can come in a variety of colors depending on the brand and type you buy. It keeps the engine from overheating by circulating through the engine and collecting heat, returning it to the radiator, and then dispersing this heat outside. This should be changed as needed, depending on how often you drive and your driving habits. Generally, coolant should be changed every 3 to 5 months, or 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Most often forgotten or overlooked, windshield wiper fluid is an essential part of driver and passenger safety. This is a fluid anyone can re-fill themselves, as needed. Simply by this well-known blue solution at a gas station or auto parts store. Refill as needed.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is red in color and very similar to motor oil in terms of its function. This is because it cools and lubricates the inner workings of a vehicle’s transmission. This keeps the vehicle’s gears in good condition, allowing for easy gear changes and functionality. Generally, this fluid should be changed one time per year. Again, check your owner’ manual, or download one online, for specific maintenance schedule information.

Brake Fluid

In terms of passenger safety, you might say brake fluid is the most important for a vehicle. Brake fluid allows for proper hydraulic functioning of the car brakes. When you push down on the brake pedal, the brake fluid compresses, sending hydraulic force to the brake pads and shoes, which provides the friction needed to stop a vehicle. Generally, brake fluid should be replaced every 2 years, or 30,000 miles. Check your owners’ manual for details.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid is pressurized by a small hydraulic pump that is powered by the vehicle’s engine. It allows the vehicle to turn easier. This fluid enhances the steering mechanism of a car or truck. Without it, it would feel as if the steering wheel weighs 100 pounds. Power steering fluid needs replaced generally every 4 years or 60,000 miles.

Battery Fluid

If your vehicle has a “maintenance-free” battery, then you will not be required to check its fluid levels. But for older model cars and trucks, batteries have individual cells that need to be refilled with battery fluid. This fluid, of course, maintains the car battery’s power, allowing for turning the ignition and starting the engine. Battery fluid should be changed generally every 6 to 8 months or 7,500 miles.

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How to Listen for a Transmission Problem in Your Car

Posted on September 29, 2021 by junkcars17

Your car’s transmission will let you know that it is experiencing some level of failure. All you have to do is listen! Continue reading to learn what common transmission problems sound like, and what to do if you simply cannot afford to repair your transmission in Indianapolis.

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Transmission Noises That Should Be Examined

Your car makes a lot of different noises. Most are harmless, a few might be temporary, but some are indicative of an automotive problem. From clunking and humming to high-pitched whining, some sounds are telling you there is a problem specifically with the transmission.

Here are some of the most common transmission sounds that should be examined further by a licensed mechanic, as they could be a sign that your car needs some automotive service or repair:

Gurgling

If you hear water-like noises, such as gurgling, sloshing, or trickling, it could be an indication that your transmission fluid is low. The cause of the gurgling noises is due to air pockets that form within the transmission lines as a result of a lack of fluid.

Clunking

Clunking is a common automotive noise that is indicative of a transmission problem. The most likely culprit behind clunking sounds is a problem with the torque converter mounts. You can test this by keeping your foot on the brake and placing your car in neutral, then revving the engine slightly as you put the gear back and drive. If you hear clunking noise, you can be sure the torque converter mounts are the issue.

Humming

As you accelerate in your vehicle, if you hear a humming noise as you reach higher speeds, it could be indicative of a transmission problem. Generally, the culprit lies within the transmission pump.

Grinding or Metal Scraping

Automotive noises that sound like grinding, metal scraping, or metal-on-metal contact are generally a telltale sign of a transmission problem stemming from the planetary gear system. The planetary gear system is responsible for ensuring that your transmission shifts smoothly. This issue is only evident in automatic transmission vehicles.

High-Pitched Whining

Hearing a constant whining or high-pitched whining noise when shifting gears is generally a sign of a clogged transmission filter. You can be sure this is the culprit if the whining noise gets worse when you shift into reverse. If coupled with grinding noises, it could be an issue within the planetary gear system.

Growling or Rumbling

If you hear sounds that are more like growling, rumbling, or low pitched whining, it could be an issue within the planning you can rest assure that there is an issue within the transmission. Typically, these noises are indicative of a problem within the planetary gear system. Again, the system ensures that your transmission shifts gears smoothly and easily.

All of these noises are considered emergency auto repairs that should be diagnosed and resolved by licensed mechanic as soon as possible. If you hear these noises in your car, your vehicle is not safe to drive unless you are driving it straight to the auto shop.

Is your transmission in trouble but you cannot afford auto repair? Perhaps the cost of transmission repair is higher than the total value of your vehicle? If so,contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your total loss vehicle for cash on the spot to our trusted Indianapolis cash for cars company!

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Can I Get 500 Dollars for My Junk Car?

Posted on January 15, 2021 by junkcars17

If you have a junk car to sell, you are in a great position. You can certainly make some fast cash and get rid of it in an environmentally-responsible way, all at the same time. However, do not allow yourself to be misled by people who have, in previous years, earned up to $500 for their junk vehicle. You see, there are many variables that influence how much a junk car is worth, one major variable being the price of scrap metal. And in recent years, the price of scrap metal has gone way down.

For this reason, it is not likely that you will get any junk car buyer to pay you $500 for your junk car, unless it actually still runs. But don’t get down! You are still set to make a hefty profit from selling your junk or totaled vehicle, so long as you choose the right company to do business with.

Continue reading for a better understanding of junk car values and the scrap metal market, as well as where to get paid the most for your junk car in Indiana.

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Last’s Years Top 10 Nationwide Junk Cars

To see how much your junk car might be worth, take a look at last years top 10 junked cars and compare their 2020 average worth to your make and model vehicle.

2005 Nissan Altima
$199.33

2001 Honda Accord
$172.17

1998 Honda Accord
$129.20

1999 Honda Accord
$149.97

2006 Chevy Impala
$188.87

2002 Honda Accord
$191.03

2000 Honda Accord
$171.03

2006 Nissan Altima
$191.00

2005 Honda Civic
$371.64

2001 Honda Civic
$199.45

What You Can Expect

Basically, if your junk car or totaled car is near the make and model of these cars, you can expect to get paid anywhere between $130.00 and $200.00, give or take. Again, this also depends on several other factors that can lower or raise your junk car’s worth. Such factors include the vehicle’s condition, location, difficulty to transport, and more.

How to Choose the Right Junk Car Buyer

The right junk car buying company has a good reputation, is sufficiently-equipped to provide accurate weigh-ins and assessments, and successful enough to pay the highest return possible for your asset. Furthermore, they offer a list of customer conveniences that make the process of selling a junk car, simple to follow. Skip the hassle of calling around and simply do what most other Hoosiers do: Choose GC’s Junk Cars in Indianapolis to sell a junk car in Central Indiana!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to learn just how easy the car selling process can be. Our Indianapolis, Indiana junk car buyers offer FREE estimates and FREE towing with our in-house tow truck! So, all you have to do is call and accept our offer. We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you CASH ON THE SPOT! We accept all vehicles and motorized commodities, regardless of age or condition. Request a free estimate, today!