Total Loss
Decision Calculator.
Compare repair costs with state-specific salvage/title rules and calculate the salvage value needed for an economic total-loss scenario. Designed for claims professionals. ← ClaimsIQ home
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Values can be changed at any time. This tool does not make a binding coverage, title, or settlement determination.
Percentages may use retail, fair market, replacement, or other statutory valuations rather than the ACV entered here. Adjust the value input to the required statutory basis before relying on a percentage result.
Economic Total Loss Analysis
This is an illustrative TLF-style economic comparison, not a universal legal mandate.
Important: the salvage number
Minimum salvage amount at equality = max(0, ACV − total repair costs). The amount required to exceed ACV is one cent higher when equality is insufficient. A zero requirement means repair expenses already meet or exceed ACV. Verify bid validity, repair supplements, and insurer recovery assumptions.
Select a state to view its rule
Why is a salvage threshold different from a total-loss decision?
The state's salvage/title threshold often determines how the title is branded. An insurer may declare an economic total loss below that threshold where permitted, based on the policy, damage, costs, and anticipated salvage recovery. Other states impose restrictions or specific first-party standards. This tool distinguishes them rather than describing every percentage as a mandatory first-party total-loss threshold.
How the numbers work
Economic comparison
A simplified TLF compares estimated repair costs (plus anticipated additional expenses) and salvage recovery with vehicle value. If their sum reaches the ACV, total-loss settlement may be economically favorable, subject to law, policy and insurer practices.
Fixed state percentages
For a state using a percentage, the calculator also shows the repair amount corresponding to that percentage. It labels whether the number relates to salvage branding, first-party claims, or a conditional rule. The applicable valuation basis and model-year restrictions must be verified.
Source: Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., “Automobile First-Party Total Loss and Salvage Title Laws in All 50 States,” last updated July 20, 2026 (user-supplied reference). This calculator is informational, not legal advice; vehicle class, title, age, policy, and effective date may change the outcome. It does not determine third-party tort damages.