Is My Car Totaled If It Is Over 50 Percent Damaged?

Posted on April 25, 2022 by junkcars17

No matter how much you wreck or damage a car, it is never entirely void of value. However, if the cost to repair the damage exceeds a certain percentage of its current market resale value, you could be looking at a total loss. Continue reading to learn what this average percentage is, plus a bonus tip on how to earn the maximum profit by selling a totaled car in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Actual Cash Value (ACV)

In order to determine if a car is totaled or not due to the amount of damage it has, you need to calculate the Actual Cash Value, or ACV. This number will give you a basis to predict what the insurance company will do with your car or truck. Actual Cash Value will be calculated by the insurance company using specific factors relevant to your vehicle, including the make and model, after-market modifications or features, pre-incident damages, and similar, regional auto sales of the particular vehicle.

3 Qualities of a Total Loss Vehicle

There are three key indicators of a totaled car. A vehicle will be deemed a total loss if it meets even one of the three:

➀ It cannot be safely repaired.
➁ The cost to repair exceeds the ACV.
➂ It meets Indiana’s total loss guidelines.

Your car does not have to be 50% damaged to meet the total loss guidelines listed above. It can be less than 50% damaged or more than 50% damaged and be deemed totaled. For this reason, it is important to have your vehicle properly evaluated and diagnosed by a licensed mechanic.

How to Keep a Totaled Car

In Indiana, you are permitted to keep your totaled car whether it is insured or not. However, if you want to still collect from your insurance, keep in mind that they will pay you the pre-crash value, but subtract your policy deductible and the amount of money that the insurance company would have gained by selling your totaled vehicle to a salvage yard. Is this the wise way to go? It depends on your intentions.

If you want to keep a totaled car for the purpose of reselling it, you should avoid claiming it under your insurance. Instead, sell directly to an Indianapolis junk car buyer for the maximum payout. This cuts out the middleman, so you make more money!

Are you looking for a well-established and ultra-professional auto salvage yard that can pay out top dollar for junk cars and motorized equipment in Indy? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to get paid cash on the spot by a trusted junk car buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide FREE junk car removal!

How Do I Get a Vehicle History Report in Indiana?

Posted on December 6, 2019 by junkcars17

It is important to know what the history of a vehicle is before completing the purchasing paperwork. In other cases, you might want to learn the background of your car before you sell it in order to have a better idea of its potential worth. Regardless of your need for a vehicle history report, be sure you are taking the proper steps to acquire one from an approved source with accurate data.

Continue reading to learn your options for obtaining a history report for a vehicle in Indiana, and how to sell a car that no one else will buy.

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Online Searches

The first place to start when looking for vehicle history information is the internet. This is simply the fastest and most comprehensive method of searching for vehicular history. However, be warned that not all vehicle history searches online are free. Some online searches require a non-refundable fee, which can range from a few dollars to $30 or more, depending on the supplier and the extent of information you are looking for.

Special Note: When looking for an online car history report source, be sure it is supported by data provided by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This will be the most up-to-date and accurate information available to the general public.

Car Dealerships

Another option for recovering an official report for a vehicle’s history is to contact the dealership it was purchased from last. Although this option is not the most dependable source, it may be good for newer cars that have had few owners. Car dealerships should retain such documents on vehicles up to 3 years after their purchase date.

Keep in mind that there are some sources of vehicle history data that are not available to the general public. These sources include Carfax, CVR, DMVDesk, and Experian. These companies only provide information to official car dealerships.

How to Sell a Junk Car

If you discover that your vehicle has a salvaged title, you can sell it to a junk car buyer for a fail-safe way to get rid of it. Simply contact a local Indianapolis junk car company and tell them all about your vehicle. They will give you an offer, and upon accepting it, will come and pick it up the next day. Some junk car buyers will pay you cash on the spot and provide free tow-away service.

Trusted Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis. Our Indiana junk car buyers offer 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. No title? No problem! Give us a call anyway! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

The 4 Steps to Removing a Salvaged Title on a Junk Car

Posted on April 23, 2019 by junkcars17

Whether you have an old Ford truck handed down to you from previous generations, or a recently totaled sports coupe, it is likely that the title is now branded as salvaged. A salvaged title is one that is given to vehicle’s that have been recognized as a total loss by the owners’ insurance carrier. A total loss vehicle is one that costs more to repair than what it is actually worth.

If you have a vehicle that matches either of these descriptions, you might be considering your options. Most junk car owners choose to turn their loss into insurance, while many others sell theirs to a local junk car buyer. However, there are a select few who prefer to restore the vehicle and use it, or better yet, put it back on the market. If you are one of these lucky individuals, it is required by law to have the salvaged title rebranded.

Continue reading to learn the 4 steps you need to take to remove a salvaged title on your car.

Step ❶ – REPAIR

Your first step is to have the vehicle repaired back to a road-safe condition. Keep in mind, you will need to have the repairs done by an actual certified mechanic if you want the vehicle to pass inspection. You don’t have to repair the vehicle back to a fully-operational condition; it’s still road-safe if the stereo doesn’t work or the middle console doesn’t open up. But the all mechanical systems and safety features must be up-to-code if you want to ultimately remove the salvaged title.

Step ❷ –INSPECTION

You will need to visit your local DMV to obtain the proper documents to have your newly-repaired vehicle inspected. Most branches will require you to bring your bill of sale, the salvaged title, photos, and possibly other types of documentation pertaining to your asset. Once all paperwork and processes are complete, an inspection can be scheduled. Keep in mind that it is illegal to drive the vehicle to the inspection site, even though it is operational. Instead, you will need to have it towed.

Step ❸ – APPLY

Upon passing inspection by the DMV, you can proceed with apply for a re-branded car title. You will need to fill out more application forms at the branch, and even pay a few fees. Within 7 to 10 days, or depending on your county’s system, you will receive your new title in the mail with a statement branded on the front signifying that the title was rebuilt.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

Common Descriptions for Salvaged Car Titles

Posted on January 15, 2018 by junkcars17

When a car is damaged, and the cost to repair the damage exceeds the vehicle’s overall value, an insurance company will consider it a totaled car. If the owner decides to invest in the necessary repairs and make the vehicle drivable once again, they need to be sure they do so legally. This requires that the car be street legal, meaning it is mechanically safe, sufficiently insured, and has the proper form of salvage title.

Continue reading to learn the common forms of salvage titles, and how to sell a junk car without a title.

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Salvaged titles are important because they protect future buyers from purchasing a vehicle without knowing the true underlying extent of a vehicle’s damage. A salvaged vehicle is generally branded with an official description that describes the condition of the vehicle. These official descriptions vary depending on certain factors, including the type or extent of vehicular damage and the particular state in which the vehicle is titled under.

There are 3 salvage title descriptions that are the most common in the industry include Total-Loss Vehicle, Rebuilt Title, and Inoperable or Non-Repairable. Within these common title brands include vehicles with flood damage and fire damage.

❶ Total-Loss Vehicle

This title description describes a vehicle that has sustained damage and could be repaired; however, the cost to repair the damage would be more than a predetermined amount of the total economic value of the vehicle. The predetermined amount varies from state to state, but usually ranges between 60 and 100 percent.

❷ Rebuilt Title

A rebuilt title is designated for vehicles that were previously branded a total loss, but then repaired back to a drivable condition. If repaired, the vehicle must pass a vigorous structural safety inspection before it can be legally operated. These are also known as “reconstructed” and “refurbished” titles. The moniker varies among jurisdiction.

❸ Non-Repairable

When a vehicle experiences a high level of damage, and the damage makes it impossible to repair, it is given a non-repairable title. These are also known as “inoperable” and “irreparable” titles. Cars with an inoperable title cannot be repaired and legally driven. They can only be used for parts and scrap metal applications.

Need to Sell a Salvaged Car Without a Title?

Sometimes car titles get lost or even stolen, and other times they are never transferred over to the new owner. Regardless of why your title is missing, there are still ways to sell your car without it. Although having a car title can make the process easier, selling a vehicle without a title only requires a few extra steps. Many will have success declaring their car title lost or stolen, while others live in states that have procedures in place for car owners who want to sell a vehicle to a private party without a title. A highly recommended method is to sell your vehicle to an Indianapolis junk car buyer who will do business without a car title. This is also the easier way to go since many salvage yards will tow your vehicle to their lot for free.

We Will Buy Your Car Without a Title!

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your totaled car for cash in Indianapolis. We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. With our knowledge and expertise, we stand by our offers 100%. Rest assure you will be getting the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket.