Read your total-loss settlement line by line
Know what is being paid for the vehicle, what is being added, what is being deducted and who receives the money.
Request an itemized statement
Ask for the vehicle’s gross value before deductions, each applicable tax or fee, the deductible, any owner-retention amount and every other adjustment. Keep this statement with the full valuation. A single final-payment number makes it difficult to identify whether the dispute concerns vehicle value or a different part of the claim.
Use a simple worksheet
- Vehicle value before settlement adjustments: ______
- Applicable tax and title or registration amounts: ______
- Other agreed additions, identified separately: ______
- Deductible and supported deductions: ______
- Owner-retention amount, if applicable: ______
- Payment to lender or lessor: ______
- Amount payable to you: ______
A loan payoff is not the vehicle value
Your loan balance reflects the financing agreement. It may include amounts unrelated to current vehicle value. Ask the lender for a current payoff and instructions. Keep payments current unless the lender agrees otherwise. GAP coverage, when applicable, has its own terms and exclusions; it is not a substitute for checking the valuation.
Check fees under the applicable rules
Do not assume every state pays identical taxes, replacement fees or registration amounts. Ask for the rule or policy basis and supporting calculation. Keep receipts where reimbursement depends on an actual expense. Avoid treating a disputed rental or storage bill as an unexplained reduction in vehicle value.
Before accepting paperwork
Ask whether the payment resolves only the undisputed vehicle amount or requires a broader release. Read language on checks and settlement documents. A general worksheet cannot tell you the legal effect of a release; consult an attorney if it may affect unresolved claims.
Sources and further reading
Reviewed October 11, 2026. Check your policy and current state guidance. Educational information, not legal advice.
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