When a vehicle is damaged in an accident, whether it needs repairs or has to be replaced entirely, you could be owed compensation. Of course, if your motor vehicle was totaled, then you and the insurance adjuster are likely to disagree on what the value of your vehicle was. Keep reading to understand how you could get the coverage you deserve.

Totaled Cars and Trucks

Let's say that both you and the adjuster are on the same page when it comes to saying that your car is a total loss. In this case, you could be owed the actual cash value (ACV) of your car (this principle applies to any lost property in an accident). What exactly is the ACV of a car or truck? This is not a precise science, as it requires taking into account several factors that include:

• Your vehicle's make and model
• Its condition
• How much that type of vehicle is selling for in your region

To begin, you would reference the Kelly Blue Book, the resource of car dealers and insurance adjusters everywhere. This can give you a good ballpark figure on how much your pre-accident vehicle would have sold for. Then you can consult other listings, such as newspaper and internet ads, to see how much your type of vehicle is selling for in your area. Are these other listings much higher than the Blue Book listings? You should point this out to the insurance adjuster.

Another thing you need to highlight to an adjuster is any nonstandard feature your car has that would raise its value, such as new parts you had just installed, special equipment, low mileage for its age, etc. You can send documents and pictures to prove these value-raising factors to an adjuster.

Other Lost Property and Totaled Vehicles

Unfortunately, there is no Blue Book for motorcycles, bikes, or other property you may have lost in a collision. A good starting point for such losses is to come up with as much of the following as you can:

• Proof of original purchase (gives a preliminary ACV figure; shows property's age)
• Before and after pictures (shows its condition)
• Classified ads (the going price to replace your lost items)

All these can give you good parameters within which to find an ACV that an adjuster will agree to and that is fair to you. However, dealing with insurance, even your own insurer, is almost never a simple or straightforward issue. While you are trying to get the maximum payout possible so you can recuperate from a crash, an insurance company is looking after its profits. With such opposing goals, dealing with an insurance company can be a stressful, frustrating endeavor.

When you need to understand your rights and negotiate a fair settlement, a car accident lawyer can help you successfully navigate such complex processes. If you have any questions about determining fault for the accident, insurance coverage, and more, be sure to speak with one of the car accident lawyers on our directory today to find the answers you need to reach full recovery after an accident!