Expert: Ron Cercone - 3/11/2009

Question
HELLO I was envolved in an accident and my insurrance trying to deem my 2000 cadillac a total loss. i was told that it the damages equal to 75 percent the actual book value maryland law as to deem it total. well, i got the numbers from my agent here they are

actual value is: 8,294.72

DAMAGED: 6,111.06

75% WOULD BE: 6221.04

THAT WOULD BE 109.98 SHORT OF 75%, I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN STILL KEEP IT SINCE IT REALLY DIDNT REACH 75%

Answer
Hello Keon,

Some of your questions I just answered in another post you made.

Yes you can keep the car. No law says the insurer gets to take your car, totaled or not.

As to the "Maryland Law", if you have a copy, send it to me here if Allexperts allows you to send stuff to the experts, (if not send it to info@uclaim.com).

In most states, the percentage (75%) to determine total loss, is just a rough guideline used as an insurance company procedure. One company may use 80%, another use 70%. It has no relevance since you can keep the car if you like. To keep from getting set up and "outsmarted" by the adjuster on the salvage value of your car, consider the report "Total Loss Auto for Insureds" at UClaim.com products page. The whole discussion on it is way too lengthy for this Q&A forum here.