How to Transport a Total Loss Vehicle

Vehicles frequently receive total loss insurance write-offs after sustaining significant damage in traffic accidents, fires, vandalism, disasters, and other natural calamities.

Even though the insurance process is quite simple, moving and getting rid of total loss vehicles can be challenging for the vehicle owner.

Finding total loss vehicle transportation for long-distance trips is frequently one of the most difficult things for insurance companies and salvage organizations.

Suppose you must transport a totaled vehicle to a salvage yard or another location where it will be stored or disassembled. In that case, you must use a reputable total loss vehicle transportation company.

When Is a Vehicle Deemed a Total Loss?

If the projected cost of repairs exceeds the car's worth, it will be written off. If the actual cost of repairs exceeds the car's worth, the insurance company is required by state law to declare the vehicle a total loss.

For example, In Texas, this can be 100% of the car's pre-accident value, while it can range from 50% upwards in Iowa. The 'total loss threshold' is the common name for this.

According to the Total Loss Formula, which is employed by many jurisdictions, the cost of repairs plus the car's scrap value must equal or exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value.

There Are Two Types of Total Loss Vehicles

1. Salvageable Parts Only - The vehicle is totally destroyed, but still has parts that can be removed and sold.
2. No Salvageable Parts - The vehicle is so severely damaged that no salvageable parts remain.

How Does Your Insurer Price The Vehicle?

Your vehicle's mileage, the state of the body, interior, and tires, as well as any extra components or equipment you may have installed, will all be noted by your insurance adjuster.

Next, based on the pre-crash state of your car, your adjuster will look up comparable models being sold nearby and estimate the total loss on those cars. What is indicated by this is your car's Actual Cash Value (ACV). Keep in mind each insurance policy covers different things.

Here Are Some Pointers For Moving a Totaled Vehicle

1. Make sure your total loss vehicle has been declared as such by an authorized body. Typically, this is done while submitting a claim to the insurer. If this is not done, then the insurer may deny the claim.
2. Contact a reputable company that specializes in transporting total loss vehicles. You should also check their reputation online before hiring them. The best way to do this is to search for reviews about the company on websites like Google and Yelp.
3. Ask the company for a formal estimate of the cost of transporting the automobile. It is crucial to be aware of the associated expenditures so that you can prepare a budget.
4. Check whether the company offers free pick-up and delivery services. This is really beneficial when you are unsure of the direction the vehicle will be taken or how far.
5. Request recommendations from prior customers of the business. This will enable you to assess their dependability for handling your automobile.
6. Request an insurance certificate from the business. The insurance company will need this before releasing the vehicle; thus, it is necessary.
7. Be aware that there are different types of total loss vehicles. Some are more expensive than others. Therefore, make sure that you choose a company that charges reasonable rates.
8. Always review the contract's terms and conditions before signing anything.
9. You should request a copy of the bill of lading when you sign the contract. This document will show the shipment details, including the type of vehicle being shipped, its weight, the destination, and the date of departure.

Types of Methods for Transporting a Total Loss Vehicle.

Sometimes it's necessary to transport severely damaged vehicles using various methods. For instance, if the vehicle is too large to tow, you might need to use a truck. Or, if the vehicle is too heavy to lift out of the driveway, you'll need to rent a crane.

Here are some ways commonly employed to get your total loss vehicle from point A to B.

A tow truck

To pull a vehicle out of a ditch or off a cliff, a tow truck may have to be used

Tow dolly

A tow dolly is a small trailer towed behind a tow truck. It is made to transport large weights across close distances.

Rigid frame

A rigid frame may be required if a vehicle is too badly damaged to be moved without a tow truck. A rigid frame is a steel structure that supports the vehicle while being lifted into position.

If your vehicle was involved in a significant collision, there might be extensive damage to the frame, suspension, engine, transmission, drive train, steering components, brakes, tires, wheels, and interior.

This type of damage can mean it is not worth fixing due to the high cost. In some instances, the vehicle might even be too damaged to repair.

What Contributes to The Cost of Transport?

The price of transportation depends on many factors. These include:

The distance between the two points

The price of transportation will change according to how far apart the two locations are.

For example, if the distance between the two destinations is less than 50 miles, then the cost of transportation will likely be lower than if the distance is greater than 100 miles.

Size and weight

Regardless of the vehicle's state, larger, heavier, or bigger cars will cost more to ship.

Vehicle's condition.

The vehicle's condition will also influence the cost. It is simpler and less expensive to load a car if it can move independently. A winch system can be employed effectively when a vehicle lacks power but still has a fully operational chassis.

If the vehicle is completely totaled, however, it will not be able to be loaded onto a flatbed without a crane.

Total Loss Car Shipping Services

There are, however, a variety of other types of businesses that provide car shipping services. When they hear about car shipping services, most people think of auto transport companies.

However, a wide range of different businesses offer car transportation services. These include:

Auto recyclers

Auto recyclers are businesses that buy old cars for cash. They then sell them at auction. If you want to know how much money you can make selling an old car, check out our article How Much Money Can I Make Selling My Old Car?

Body shops

Body shops are businesses that specialize in repairing vehicles. They will often take care of all the mechanical work needed to restore a vehicle to like new condition.

In addition, some body shops specialize in transporting vehicles. They do so because they are equipped with the right tools and machinery to carry out the task effectively.

Salvage yards

Salvage yards buy wrecked vehicles and then dismantle them for scrap metal. Many salvage yards also buy new vehicles and then dismantle them. As a result, salvage yards are excellent places to find low-cost used parts.

Wrecking yards

Wrecking yards are similar to salvage yards. Wrecking yards purchase wrecked vehicles and then dismantle the vehicles for scrap metal.

Repair facilities specialize in repairing vehicles. They do so because they have the necessary tools and equipment to complete the task correctly.

Body shops

Body shops are businesses that specialize in repairing damaged vehicles. Body shops frequently buy totaled cars and disassemble them into their component parts.

Once the body shop has all the pieces, they reassemble the vehicle using the original manufacturer's specifications.

What is a salvage title?

A salvage title is given to a vehicle after it has been declared a complete loss. This indicates that the car cannot be fixed.

A salvage title does not imply that the vehicle is a total loss. In some cases, a salvage title can increase the vehicle's value for the owner.

Conclusion

As you can see, transporting a total loss vehicle is not as simple as transporting a fully functional one. There are many things to think about and many choices to be made. Always consult your insurance company before making any decisions about your car. You should also consult a transport company.

At A1 Auto Transport, you can get all the answers you are looking for. The process is stressful enough, dealing with insurance companies, but with the right support, it's easy as pie. Take the simple route and request a free quote from us.