Skip to content
MyAutoTriage

Total Loss Threshold Calculator

See whether your car is likely to be declared a total loss, using your state's actual rule — either a percentage threshold or the Total Loss Formula.

Only used in Total Loss Formula states. If unsure, leave blank — we'll estimate around 18% of the vehicle value.
Not legal, financial, or insurance advice. This tool gives a general, educational estimate only. Insurance laws, deadlines, and formulas vary by state, by policy, and by insurer, and they change over time. Verify anything important with your insurance policy, your state department of insurance, or a licensed attorney before relying on it. Insurers use their own valuation software and repair estimate, which can differ from the numbers you enter here.

Percentage threshold vs. Total Loss Formula

States regulate when an insurer must declare a vehicle a total loss in one of two ways. A percentage-threshold state sets a fixed percentage (commonly 70-100%) — once repair costs reach that share of the vehicle’s value, it must be totaled. A Total Loss Formula (TLF) state instead adds the estimated repair cost to the estimated salvage value; if that combined number meets or exceeds the vehicle’s value, it’s a total loss.

Why this matters for your claim

If your car is close to the line, understanding your state’s specific rule helps you evaluate whether your insurer’s decision (to repair or to total) matches what the law actually requires — and gives you a factual basis to push back if it doesn’t.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a percentage threshold and the Total Loss Formula?

A percentage-threshold state totals a car once repairs reach a set percentage of its value (for example 75%). A Total Loss Formula (TLF) state instead adds the repair cost to the estimated salvage value and totals the car if that combined figure meets or exceeds the full value.

Can I ask my insurer to repair a car they want to total, or vice versa?

In most states you can push back on the valuation or the repair estimate, but the insurer generally decides whether to total a car based on the numbers. An independent appraisal is the usual way to challenge that decision.