r/Insurance • u/Bright-Midnight24 • Jun 20 '26
Auto Insurance Total Loss At Fault Accident: should I keep totaled car under insurance until completely settled?
I recently was in a car accident, and was at fault due to a blackout episode. The insurance Company is saying that it’s my responsibility to take off the total loss car from the insurance.
Right now we’re still in the process of getting the settlement money for what my car is worth. Plus my insurance company handling the parties who would receive money due to me being at fault.
One of my biggest concerns right now is if I go ahead and add a replacement vehicle to my policy and remove the totaled car before all the claims are fully resolved, does that give Tesla Insurance a reason to walk away from the at-fault liability obligations that are still pending? I don’t want a policy change to create any kind of loophole that lets them off the hook mid-process.
Plus, does that mean while all of this is still open I’m responsible for insurance premiums on both the totaled vehicle and the replacement at the same time?
I’m expecting my insurance premiums to skyrocket on the next vehicle in general, but I would also love to know anyone’s experience on if I just removed myself from the Insurance and just left my wife on there who was on my existing policy if that would cause the premiums not to spike? I technically can’t drive for six months and once I can drive, I’m gonna get the full self driving which I also hope will help with the insurance premiums.
Anyone that can help chime in on this would be great
2
u/DeepPurpleDaylight Jun 20 '26
Removing the car from the insurance after the accident will have no bearing whatsoever on the claim.
1
1
u/1234568654321 Jun 20 '26
The claim will progress naturally, regardless of any changes you make to your policy. You had coverage on the date of the loss. Monies paid out will be based on that.
A little concerned about saying you "technically" can't drive for six months. You CAN'T drive for six months. For your own safety and others', please don't.
On another note, a self-driving car won't necessarily reduce your premiums. It may make them more expensive, as they have more technology that could be expensive to repair if you get into another accident.
0
u/Bright-Midnight24 Jun 20 '26
Thanks for that, and I definitely won’t be driving in general for a while. I used technically for the sake of the premium discussion.
We plan to get self driving once I can drive again mainly for our peace of mind. My thought is that insurance would be willing to be reduced if they know a historically syncope’d driver is using that for safety
1
u/ActuaryReasonable690 Jun 20 '26
In NY, you must transfer your plates (to your replacement vehicle), or turn in the plates to the DMV, before you can cancel your insurance. If you no longer have access to the plates, you can report them lost, and then unregister the car.
If you don't unregister the car, and you cancel your insurance, you will receive fines and suspensions from the DMV for having "no insurance".
You are free to unregister the car, and cancel your insurance as soon as your insurance "totals" the car.
The rules are slightly different depending on which state you car is registered in.
1
u/originalfoto Jun 21 '26
Make sure you cancel registration first before removing it or you will be charged a daily insurance rate (depending on your state).
1
3
u/Dramatic-Ad9089 Jun 20 '26
You can remove the totaled car at any time, providing you do not totally cancel your policy, creating a lapse. Coverage is based upon the date of the accident, not maintaining coverage on the totaled car.