Total Loss With Two Separate Claims?
I’ve recently been involved in two accidents, and in both cases, the other party was found to be 100% at fault. Both drivers are insured by Geico.
I haven’t yet repaired the damages from the first accident that occurred a month ago, and I’m now considering getting all the repairs done at one shop.
My question is, will Geico classify my car as a total loss if the combined claims amount to 70% of its value? Do they evaluate the claims together, or do they look at each one separately? For instance, if one claim is 40% of the car’s value and the other is 45%, will they pay a total of 85%?
In general, insurance companies like Geico will assess each claim separately, looking at the extent of the damages and the value of your car. If the damages from each accident are significant enough to be considered a total loss, they may look at each claim independently.
In your case, if the combined repair costs from both claims are estimated to be around 70% of your car’s value, whether they declare it a total loss may depend on their specific policies. Typically, a car is considered a total loss when the cost to repair it exceeds a certain percentage of its total value—often around 70-80%—but this can vary by insurer.
It’s a good idea to discuss your situation directly with Geico to get a clear understanding of how they will handle your claims and whether they will evaluate them jointly or separately. Document everything and consider getting a copy of your car’s current value to support your case.