Totaled or Repairable? What Insurance Adjusters Look For — And What You Can Do
When your truck is involved in a major accident, one of the first big questions is: “Is it totaled, or can it be repaired?”
The answer isn’t just about how the truck looks — it’s about how insurance adjusters evaluate the repairability, costs, and value of the vehicle. Knowing what they look for — and what you can do — can make the difference between saving your truck or losing it.
What Do Insurance Adjusters Consider?
Insurance adjusters use several factors to determine if a truck should be repaired or declared a total loss:
1. Cost of Repairs vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Insurance companies determine whether a damaged truck is a total loss by comparing the cost of repairs to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the vehicle — which is the truck’s market value before the accident.
If the estimated repair costs reach 70–80% or more of the truck’s ACV (depending on your insurance policy), the truck is often declared a total loss.
🚨 Important Note: If you purchased your truck at a great deal (below market value) but did not properly declare its true market value on your insurance policy, this could work against you.
In the event of a major accident, the insurer will only pay out based on the ACV listed in your policy — not what you think it’s worth or what it would cost to replace it.
So while saving money on the purchase is great, make sure your insurance reflects the truck’s real market value. Otherwise, you could end up underinsured and covering the gap yourself.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) explained here
2. Severity of Structural Damage
Even if a truck looks repairable, major frame or structural damage — such as a twisted chassis or compromised alignment — can lead to it being declared a total loss. This is because structural repairs are complex, costly, and may raise long-term safety concerns.
At Sounders Truck Repair, we specialize in frame adjustments and structural repairs, and we’ve successfully restored trucks with significant damage. However, it’s important to note that insurance companies make the final decision based on several factors — including the cost of repairs relative to the truck’s value, safety standards, and overall risk.
So while shops like ours can handle major repairs, your coverage and payout will ultimately depend on your insurance policy and the adjuster’s assessment.
Read how insurance companies decide if a vehicle is totaled here
3. Parts Availability
Sometimes, it’s not the extent of the damage that leads to a total loss — it’s the availability of replacement parts. If key components are difficult to find, on backorder, or discontinued, repairs can be delayed for weeks or even months.
For insurance companies, this creates a bigger problem: extended downtime and rental costs. If your policy includes coverage for rental equipment or downtime, the insurer may prefer to declare the truck a total loss rather than continue to absorb those added expenses during a long repair timeline.
At Sounders Truck Repair, we tackle this head-on by partnering with top-tier parts suppliers and sourcing components directly from manufacturers and factory distributors. This allows us to significantly reduce lead times and keep repair projects moving — helping you avoid unnecessary delays and getting your truck back on the road faster.
Read more about total loss here
4. Mechanical Viability Post-Repair
If there’s no confidence the truck will run reliably or safely even after repairs, adjusters may choose to total it to reduce liability and future claims.
What Can YOU Do to Improve the Outcome?
Insurance doesn’t always tell the whole story. Here’s how you can protect your truck and your payout:
Get a Trusted, Detailed Repair Estimate
A professional, itemized estimate from an experienced repair shop like Sounders Truck Repair can show the insurance company that the truck is repairable — and often at a better price than they assume.
Provide Maintenance Records
If you’ve kept your truck in good mechanical condition, show it. Recent service history can help increase your truck’s assessed value — and reduce the risk of it being declared totaled.
Read more about Truck Maintenance Record here
Negotiate the Valuation
If the insurance company undervalues your truck, challenge it. Bring comparable listings, recent repairs, and appraisals to the table.
Choose a Shop That Works With Insurance Companies
At Sounders, we don’t just repair trucks — we handle the paperwork too.
We communicate directly with insurance adjusters, prepare all necessary documentation, and advocate for your best outcome. From damage photos to estimates and repair progress updates, we help simplify the process so you don’t get stuck in red tape.
Why Work With Sounders Truck Repair?
Certified techs with experience in accident-related repairs
Frame straightening, bodywork, and diagnostics under one roof
Full support with insurance paperwork and communication
Transparent, fast, and reliable service from quote to finish
Learn more about our services here
Don’t Let a Split-Second Accident Total Your Business
If you’ve been in a wreck and the insurance company is calling the shots, call Sounders Truck Repair first.
Let’s take a second look — and get your truck back on the road where it belongs. Book an appointment with Sounders Truck Repair here