Getting told your car is a total loss after a crash can feel like you got hit twice. First the wreck, then the insurance company comes back with an offer that does not come close to replacing what you lost. In Georgia, a total loss payout is usually based on Actual Cash Value (what your vehicle was worth right before the crash), not what you still owe on it and not what it costs to buy a similar car today. If you accept the first number too fast, you can leave serious money on the table, especially when you are also dealing with injuries and treatment.
Why total loss offers are often lower than they should be
Insurers use valuation reports that rely on databases, comparable vehicles, and condition adjustments. The problem is those reports can be wrong or incomplete. We regularly see issues like missing options and packages, mileage recorded incorrectly, the wrong trim level, prior condition undervalued, or “comparable vehicles” that are not truly comparable. Even small errors can move the number by thousands.
What to do immediately if your car is declared totaled
You do not have to argue emotionally. You win this by getting organized and building proof.
- Confirm the valuation details in writing. Ask for the valuation report and the full breakdown they used to calculate Actual Cash Value.
- Check every line item. Make sure the year, trim, mileage, features, and condition are accurate. Look for missing upgrades like leather, tech packages, wheels, safety systems, or aftermarket add ons you can document.
- Pull real comps. Find 3 to 6 local listings for the same year, trim, and similar mileage within your region. Save screenshots with dates and prices.
- Gather your receipts. Maintenance records, recent tires, new brakes, or major services help support condition and value.
- Do not forget taxes and fees. Ask whether the offer includes applicable taxes and title or registration related amounts that may be owed depending on how the claim is handled.
- Keep your injury claim separate in your mind. Property damage moves fast. Injury value depends on treatment, documentation, and time. Do not let a quick car payout push you into rushing medical decisions or settling bodily injury early.
If you still owe money on the car
If you have a loan, the lienholder gets paid first from the total loss check. If the payout is less than what you owe, you may be dealing with a “gap.” That is where GAP coverage can matter. Even without GAP, you still want the highest accurate valuation possible because it directly affects how much you are left owing.
Rental car and transportation costs
A total loss can also strand you. Ask about rental coverage or loss of use right away and keep receipts for reasonable transportation needs. If you are injured, reliable transportation is not a luxury. It is part of getting to treatment and protecting your recovery.
How Gunn Law Group can help
When the insurance company tries to rush you, we slow it down and tighten it up. We help you challenge the valuation, identify what is missing, and make sure your property claim does not sabotage the bigger picture, your health, your treatment, and the full value of your injury case. If you were hurt in a crash, remember you generally have a limited window to take legal action in Georgia, so it pays to get guidance early.
If the insurance company is lowballing your total loss offer while you are trying to heal, do not handle it alone. Need a home run Call the Big Gunn at 888-BIG-GUNN for a free case review.
