Free tool · all 50 states
Total Loss Calculator: Is My Car Totaled, and What Should Insurance Pay?
Check whether your car counts as a total loss under your state’s rule, then see what your settlement should come to after sales tax, fees, your deductible, salvage and any loan. No sign-up.
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The insurer’s offer (before deductions) or your own estimate.
Is it totaled?
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What the wreck is worth for parts. Often on the insurer’s valuation.
What should the check be?
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State plus local rate where you’d buy the next car.
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What your state charges to title and register a car.
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Your results
Choose your state and enter the car’s value to see results.
The math only works if the starting value is right.
Most low offers come from the value itself. Check it against 10 real, VIN-matched listings near you, in a report built to hand your adjuster. From $19.
Total loss rules by state
When a car counts as totaled, and whether the settlement must include sales tax. Rules checked 2026-10-18; laws change, so confirm with your state’s insurance department.
| State | When it’s totaled | Sales tax in settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama law defines a total loss as damage of 75% or more of the car's fair retail value, and the title is then branded salvage. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-125-.08) |
| Alaska | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. No state sales tax, but rules say a settlement must include any local taxes and the usual title and registration fees. (3 AAC 26.080) |
| Arizona | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (A.A.C. R20-6-801(H)) |
| Arkansas | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage at 70% of average retail value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Code Ark. R. (CAR) 15-108 (former Rule 43)) |
| California | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (10 CCR 2695.8(b)) |
| Colorado | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage when repairs exceed the car's retail value. | Required. Colorado law says insurers must pay sales tax, title and registration fees on a total loss, even if you keep the car. (C.R.S. 10-4-639) |
| Connecticut | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required (special rule). Connecticut adds sales tax (your settlement × the tax rate) when the insurer takes the car. (C.G.S. 38a-353; CID Bulletins IC-9/IC-10) |
| Delaware | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Not required. No sales tax in Delaware. Settlement is limited to the car's value unless your policy adds more. (21 Del. C. 2118(a)(4); 21 Del. C. 2512; 18 Del. Admin. Code 603) |
| Florida | No fixed % for insured cars. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | After you replace the car. Florida insurers may hold back the sales tax until you actually buy a replacement. (Fla. Stat. 626.9743) |
| Georgia | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-2-52-.06) |
| Hawaii | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | After you replace the car. Hawaii insurers pay the excise tax and ownership fees if you buy a replacement within 30 days. (HRS 431:10C-311) |
| Idaho | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Regulator says yes. No statute, but Idaho's insurance department says you can recover sales tax and title fees. (Idaho Code 41-1329 (UCSPA); 49-123(2)(n), 49-526 (salvage)) |
| Illinois | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage when repairs reach one-third of the car's value. | After you replace the car. Illinois insurers pay sales tax, title and transfer fees if you buy or lease a replacement within 30 days. (50 Ill. Adm. Code 919.80(c)) |
| Indiana | No fixed % for insurers. For cars up to seven model years old, some cases reach the salvage title at 70% of market value. | Regulator says yes. No statute, but Indiana's insurance department says insurers must pay sales tax on top of the car's value. (Ind. Code 27-4-1-4.5 (UCSPA); IDOI Bulletin 82 (1994-02-25)) |
| Iowa | No fixed % for insurers, though the 70% salvage line is widely used in practice. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Iowa Admin. Code 191-15.43) |
| Kansas | No fixed % for insurers. Late-model cars are branded salvage at 75% of market value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (K.A.R. 40-1-34 (sec. 9)) |
| Kentucky | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage above 75% of retail value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (806 KAR 12:095 sec. 7) |
| Louisiana | Louisiana's title law calls a car a total loss at 75% of its NADA market value (hail-only damage excluded). | Not required. Louisiana courts are split on whether the car's value includes sales tax. Check your policy and ask. (La. R.S. 22:1892(B)(5); La. R.S. 32:702, 32:707.4) |
| Maine | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required (special rule). Maine policies must cover the value of the sales-tax credit you'd have had trading the car in. (24-A M.R.S. 2910-B; 24-A M.R.S. 2907) |
| Maryland | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage above 75% of market value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (COMAR 31.15.12.04 (definition at .02B(7))) |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts requires a total-loss report when repairs plus the probable salvage value exceed the car's value. | After you replace the car. Massachusetts insurers pay the car's value; sales tax generally only with proof you bought a replacement. (211 CMR 133.05) |
| Michigan | No fixed % for insurers. Late-model cars get a salvage title at 75% and a scrap title at 91% of value. | Not required. No Michigan rule requires sales tax in a total-loss settlement. It depends on your policy. (MCL 500.2006, 500.2007; DIFS Bulletin 2025-19-INS (2025-09-12, claims handling); Bulletin 2025-25-INS (title)) |
| Minnesota | No fixed % for insured cars (the 80% line applies only to self-insured cars). The insurer decides. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Minn. Stat. 72A.201 subd. 6) |
| Mississippi | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Regulator says yes. Mississippi's insurance department says insurers must pay sales tax and title/license fees unless your policy clearly excludes them. (Miss. Code 83-5-35 (unfair practices); 63-21-33; MID Bulletin 2007-4) |
| Missouri | No fixed % for insurers. Cars up to six years old are branded salvage at 80% of market value. | Not required. Not required unless your policy says so. You can ask the state to refund the sales tax you paid. (20 CSR 100-1.050; DCI Bulletin 26-04) |
| Montana | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Not required. No sales tax in Montana. Settlement is the car's value. (MCA 33-23-202) |
| Nebraska | No fixed % for insurers. Late-model cars are branded salvage at 75% of retail value. | After you replace the car. Nebraska's insurance department says insurers must pay sales tax once you actually replace the car. (Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-1539/1540; NDOI Bulletin IGD-C4 (2022-10-20; replaces withdrawn CB-49)) |
| Nevada | No fixed % for insurers. Nevada's title law treats a car as a total loss at 65% of market value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (NAC 686A.680) |
| New Hampshire | No fixed % for insurers. Newer cars are branded salvage at 75% of market value. | Not required. No sales tax in New Hampshire. No rule requires fees to be added. (N.H. Admin. R. Ins 1002.15) |
| New Jersey | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax. Title and registration fees aren't addressed. (N.J.A.C. 11:3-10.2; 11:3-10.4) |
| New Mexico | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Regulator says yes. New Mexico's regulator says insurers must reimburse the excise tax, title and registration charges after a cash settlement. (NMSA 59A-16-20 (UCSPA); 66-1-4.16(C)) |
| New York | No fixed % for insurers. Cars up to eight model years old get a rebuilt-salvage brand above 75% of retail value. | Required (special rule). New York requires sales tax in the settlement (added before any salvage deduction). Title and transfer fees aren't required. (11 NYCRR 216.7(c)) |
| North Carolina | North Carolina insurers must treat the car as a total loss when repairs reach 75% of its pre-accident value. | Required. State rules say the settlement must include sales tax (highway use tax) and registration fees. (11 NCAC 04 .0418 (eff. 2020)) |
| North Dakota | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage at 75% of NADA retail value. | Not required. No North Dakota rule on sales tax in total-loss settlements. It depends on your policy. (N.D.C.C. 26.1-04-03(9) (UCSPA); 39-05-20.2; 26.1-40-24) |
| Ohio | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | After you replace the car. Ohio insurers reimburse sales tax and fees if you buy a replacement within 30 days and send proof. (Ohio Adm. Code 3901-1-54(H)(7)) |
| Oklahoma | No fixed % for insurers. Cars up to ten model years old are branded salvage above 70% of market value (60% before November 1, 2026). | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (36 O.S. 1250.8; 47 O.S. 1111(C)(1); OAC 365:15-3) |
| Oregon | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. No sales tax in Oregon, but rules say a settlement must include title, license and transfer fees. (OAR 836-080-0240) |
| Pennsylvania | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a settlement is the car's value plus sales tax on a replacement. Fees aren't addressed. (31 Pa. Code 62.3) |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island insurers generally can't total a car unless repairs reach 85% of its value (since June 26, 2026). You can ask for a total loss once repairs reach 75%. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (230-RICR-20-40-2.8; R.I. Gen. Laws 27-9.1-4 (2021 P.L. ch. 426)) |
| South Carolina | No fixed % for insurers, though the 75% salvage line is widely used in practice. | Not required. Not required unless your policy says so. South Carolina charges a capped fee instead of sales tax on cars. (S.C. Code 56-19-480(G), 56-3-627, 38-59-20; Regs. ch. 69) |
| South Dakota | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Not required. No South Dakota rule on sales tax in total-loss settlements. It depends on your policy. (SDCL 58-33-67 (UCSPA); 32-3-51.19 to 51.21) |
| Tennessee | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage above 75% of retail value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-01-05-.09) |
| Texas | No fixed % for insurers. The title is branded salvage when repairs exceed the car's value; insurers often total sooner. | Not required. Texas courts have held that the car's value doesn't include sales tax, title or registration fees, unless your policy says so. (28 TAC 21.203 (UCSPA); Singleton v. Elephant (5th Cir. 2020); Cody v. Allstate (5th Cir. 2021)) |
| Utah | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Utah Admin. Code R590-190-11) |
| Vermont | No fixed % in state law. The insurer decides, usually by comparing repairs plus the wreck's salvage value with the car's value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (Vt. Reg. I-79-2 (CVR 21-020-008) sec. 8.B.2) |
| Virginia | No fixed % for insurers, though the 75% salvage line for late-model cars is widely used in practice. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (14VAC5-400-80) |
| Washington | Washington defines a total loss as repairs plus the wreck's salvage value reaching the car's pre-accident value. | Required. State rules say a cash settlement must include sales tax and the usual title and registration fees. (WAC 284-30-391, 284-30-392, 284-30-320 (as amended by R 2025-05, eff. 2026-10-18)) |
| West Virginia | No fixed % for insurers, though the 75% salvage line is widely used in practice. | Required (special rule). West Virginia adds 5% of the cash settlement to cover the vehicle excise tax. (W. Va. C.S.R. 114-14-7.4) |
| Wisconsin | No fixed % for insurers. Cars under seven model years old are branded salvage above 70% of market value. | Not required. No Wisconsin rule requires it, though insurers have been cited for not paying sales tax. Ask. (Wis. Stat. 340.01(55g), 342.065(1)(c); Wis. Admin. Code Ins 6.11) |
| Wyoming | No fixed % for insurers, though the 75% salvage line is widely used in practice. | Regulator says yes. No statute, but Wyoming's insurance department's position is that sales tax is included. (Wyo. Stat. 31-2-106(v), 31-2-107; Wyo. Ins. Rules ch. 33 sec. 4) |
Questions
When is a car considered totaled?
In most states the law doesn’t set a percentage for insurers. The insurer totals the car when repairing it costs about as much as the car is worth once the wreck’s salvage value is counted. A few states set a line in law: Alabama and North Carolina at 75% of the car’s value, Rhode Island at 85%, and Washington and Massachusetts use repairs plus salvage value. Many other states have a percentage that decides when the title is branded salvage, which is a different rule.
Does insurance pay sales tax on a totaled car?
In most states, yes. Rules in about half the states say a cash settlement must include sales tax and usually title and registration fees. Some states pay it only once you buy a replacement, and a handful leave it to your policy. The table below shows your state’s rule.
What if I owe more on the loan than the car is worth?
The insurer pays your lender first. If the settlement doesn’t cover the loan, you owe the difference, which gap insurance usually covers if you bought it.
Can this calculator tell me if the insurer’s value is fair?
No. It checks the math around the value: tax, fees, deductible, salvage and loan. The value itself comes from comparable cars for sale near you, which is what our valuation report checks.
This calculator gives estimates for information only and is not legal advice. Your policy and your state’s current rules decide your settlement. Sources: state statutes and insurance regulations cited above; Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer 50-state charts on total-loss thresholds (July 2026) and sales tax after a total loss (October 2026).