Can I Drive A Car After It Is Totaled?
After an accident, you might be told your car or truck is totaled. But can you still drive it if it is? When you have questions about if you can still drive your car, how to insure it, and if you can access the funds you need to replace or repair a vehicle, talk to a Miami personal injury lawyer.
Insuring a Total Loss Car
A car is considered totaled when the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds a percentage of its market value. In Florida, this threshold is typically 80%. For example, if your car is worth $20,000 and the repair costs are over $16,000, an insurance company will declare it a total loss.
When a car is totaled, the insurance company usually pays the owner the actual cash value of the car, minus any deductible. The insurance company then takes possession of the vehicle.
Once a car is declared a total loss, it receives a salvage title which indicates that the vehicle has been significantly damaged. While it’s possible to insure a car with a salvage title, it can be challenging. Many insurance companies are hesitant to offer full coverage for salvage title cars because the previous damage makes the vehicle a higher risk.
If a car is repaired to a roadworthy state, it can be inspected and rebranded with a rebuilt title. A car with a rebuilt title can be insured, but the premiums may be higher, and coverage might be limited.
Driving a Totaled Car in Florida
In the state of Florida, driving a car that has been documented as totaled can have serious legal and safety implications. Once a car is deemed a total loss and receives a salvage title, it is illegal to drive it on public roads unless it has been properly repaired, inspected, and re-titled as rebuilt. Driving a car that is still registered with a salvage title can result in fines, penalties, and even the impoundment of the vehicle.
If your car is declared a total loss in Florida, the first step is to determine whether you want to keep the car or not. If you choose to keep it, you will receive the salvage title, and the insurance payout will be reduced by the car’s salvage value. You must then repair the vehicle and pass a state inspection to receive a rebuilt title before it can be legally driven.
Should you not wish to keep the car, the insurance company will handle the salvage process and you will receive a payout. Either way, it’s crucial to follow Florida’s legal procedures for totaled vehicles to ensure compliance and safety. Consider consulting with a Miami personal injury lawyer to navigate the complexities and protect your rights.
Is your truck totaled? While you may be able to retain the vehicle and drive it again, it may be in your best interests to simply take the cash value and move forward with a different vehicle. The attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law can help you explore your options. Call 305-423-3800 to book a confidential consultation.