{"id":751,"date":"2026-10-12T06:40:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:40:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/guides\/vehicle-value\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T06:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:40:31","slug":"vehicle-value","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/guides\/vehicle-value\/","title":{"rendered":"What is your totaled vehicle actually worth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero single\">\n<div class=\"hero-inner\"><span class=\"eyebrow\">Total Loss Network \/ Guides<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>What is your totaled vehicle actually worth?<\/h1>\n<p class=\"lead\">Separate the value of the vehicle from the amount left on your loan and the payment that reaches your bank account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><main id=\"main\" class=\"core-body\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"start-with-three-different-numbers\">\n<h2>Start with three different numbers<\/h2>\n<p>The vehicle valuation, gross settlement and net payment answer different questions. A valuation estimates the vehicle before the loss. A settlement may include applicable taxes or fees. The payment can then reflect a deductible, owner-retention amount and money paid to a lender. Comparing your bank deposit directly with a dealer advertisement can hide the real point of disagreement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"build-a-description-before-choosing-a-price\">\n<h2>Build a description before choosing a price<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Record the VIN, exact trim, engine, transmission, drivetrain and mileage on the loss date.<\/li>\n<li>List factory packages and distinguish them from dealer-installed accessories. Locate a window sticker, build record or original purchase paperwork.<\/li>\n<li>Describe pre-loss condition with dated photographs, service records and known defects. Do not confuse collision damage with prior damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A correct model name is only the beginning. Two vehicles with the same badge may differ substantially in equipment or configuration.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"make-a-comparison-that-another-person-can-check\">\n<h2>Make a comparison that another person can check<\/h2>\n<p>Record each candidate vehicle\u2019s VIN, seller, advertised price, date, mileage, equipment and title history. Confirm availability and the seller\u2019s cash price. Separate a verified sale from an asking price. Explain significant differences instead of presenting only the highest-priced examples. A wide search may be necessary for a rare vehicle, but document why a closer comparison was unavailable.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"keep-replacement-shopping-separate-from-entitlement\">\n<h2>Keep replacement shopping separate from entitlement<\/h2>\n<p>You may need a different vehicle, financing arrangement or warranty. Those choices do not automatically become part of the insured vehicle\u2019s value. Similarly, money recently spent on maintenance does not necessarily add dollar for dollar to its resale value. Use receipts to support condition or equipment, then explain the market effect.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"ask-for-a-traceable-correction\">\n<h2>Ask for a traceable correction<\/h2>\n<p>Write: \u201cOn page [number], the report identifies [entry]. My supporting record shows [fact]. Please correct the entry and send the revised valuation with its effect on value.\u201d Keep the original and revised reports. If a supported disagreement remains, review your policy\u2019s appraisal provision or the evidence options for a third-party claim.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"sources-and-further-reading\">\n<h2>Sources and further reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dfr.oregon.gov\/insure\/auto\/accident\/pages\/totaled-vehicle.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oregon DFR: total-loss claim information \u2197<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reviewed October 11, 2026. Check your policy and current state guidance. Educational information, not legal advice.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"module\" id=\"keep-exploring\">\n<h2>Keep exploring<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/guides\/\">Browse all guides<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/states\/oregon\/\">Oregon claim guidance<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/insurance-company-total-loss-claim-guides\/\">Find your insurer<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Total Loss Network \/ Guides What is your totaled vehicle actually worth? Separate the value of the vehicle from the amount left on your loan and the payment that reaches your bank account. Start with three different numbers The vehicle valuation, gross settlement and net payment answer different questions. A valuation estimates the vehicle before [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":735,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-751","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/751\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalloss.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}