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Loss-of-Use & Rental Reimbursement Calculator
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JusticeFinder Tool
Total-Loss Comparison Calculator
Compare repair costs with an entered vehicle value using a percentage cutoff or a repair-plus-salvage formula. See the dollar difference and test different assumptions. This tool does not appraise your vehicle, determine a payout, or decide whether your insurer will declare a total loss.
Compare repair costs with an entered cutoff
Enter a positive ACV and repair estimate, then choose a model and confirm the applicable rule. The 75% starter value is an example. States marked under review do not supply a verified rule.
How to use this tool
- Open the calculator. Scroll to the interactive tool section and review the starter inputs already filled in as educational examples.
- Enter documented numbers. Replace sample bills, wages, rates, fault share, or care costs with values you can support with records.
- Compare the live results. Read each result card and its formula notes separately. These educational calculations are not a settlement range or a prediction of what an insurer or court will pay.
- Save and keep documenting. Copy or print the estimate, open a linked spreadsheet if available, then pair the output with related guides before any insurer negotiation.
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Recommended Guides for Claim Strategy
Pair this calculator with the free adjuster tactics playbook and the paid claim kit to keep documentation, valuation, and negotiation aligned.
Two comparison methods
Use a confirmed rule or clearly label your figures as a scenario.
In the percentage model, an $18,000 ACV and a 75% assumption produce a $13,500 cutoff. A $9,000 repair estimate is $4,500 below it. At $13,500 in repairs, the cutoff is reached. The percentage is an input to the example, not a legal conclusion.
In the formula model, $9,000 in repairs plus $4,500 in salvage equals $13,500, which is $4,500 below an $18,000 ACV. Salvage does not affect the percentage model. Zero ACV produces an input message rather than a verdict or percentage.
Why vehicle value changes the comparison
Lower ACV makes either entered cutoff easier to reach.
Keep repairs at $9,000 and the percentage at 75%. Lowering ACV from $18,000 to $10,000 lowers the cutoff from $13,500 to $7,500, so the same repairs now exceed it by $1,500. Review the valuation inputs instead of changing ACV solely to obtain a preferred calculator result.
California's Department of Insurance explains ACV and policy appraisal provisions in its automobile claims guide. Use those sections as background, and confirm the rules that apply to your own policy and state. See the total-loss claims guide for related records and next steps.
Related Resources
Use these pages and documentation tools to validate the estimate, preserve evidence, and keep the claim file organized.
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Total Loss Claims Guide
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Repair Cost Tracker
Document the repair estimate and ACV comparables that support your position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this calculator decide whether my car is a total loss?
No. It compares the values and rule you enter. The insurer's decision depends on the applicable law, policy, damage and valuation. A result below the entered cutoff is not a finding that a vehicle is safe to repair.
What is actual cash value (ACV)?
The car's fair market value just before the loss — what a willing buyer would have paid for it in its pre-accident condition, accounting for age, mileage, and condition.
TLT vs TLF — what's the difference?
The percentage model compares repair cost with ACV multiplied by the entered percentage. The formula model compares repair cost plus salvage with ACV. Equality reaches the cutoff. The default 75% is an example, not a nationwide rule.
Can I challenge the insurer's ACV?
Ask for the valuation report and check the vehicle details and comparables. You can ask how to correct errors and whether your policy provides an appraisal process. A higher ACV makes the same repair costs a smaller share of value in this model; it does not guarantee a different claim decision.
Educational Use Disclaimer
Educational comparison only, not a legal, safety or insurance determination. Confirm the applicable rule with your insurer, policy and state insurance department. This calculator does not calculate taxes, fees, deductibles, loan payoff or a settlement payment.
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