Claim rules by state
Every state writes its own rules for car insurance claims. 15 states set the total loss line at 75% of a car's value, 13 set another percentage and 23 set none for insured cars. Pick a state for its deadlines, reporting duties and official sources.
Total loss band (map)
Texas:
80–100%
Total loss rule
Repairs (minus repainting) exceed the car's value: 100%
Insurer must acknowledge
15 days after notice of the claim
Insurer must decide
15 business days after receiving all items; up to 45 with notice
How to read a state's sheet
- Total loss line in law is the share of a car's value at which state law treats it as a total loss, usually for its title. Insurers may total a car sooner.
- Deadlines come from the state's unfair claims practices rules and mostly cover claims under your own policy, counted from notice or from proof of loss.
- Deadline to sue is the general limitation period; your policy may set its own, shorter limits for disputes with your insurer.
Where state law totals a car
- Repairs at 60% to 70% of the car's value
- Repairs at 75% of the car's value
- Repairs at 80% to 100% of the car's value
- No percentage in law for insured cars
Every state on one sheet
| State | Total loss band (map) | Total loss rule | Insurer must acknowledge | Insurer must decide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 75% | Damage at or above 75% of fair retail value | 15 days after notice of a first-party claim | 30 days after proof of loss, or the policy's time; written reasons if longer |
| Alaska | 80–100% | Repairs exceed the car's worth or insured value: 100% | 10 working days after receiving the claim, in writing | 15 working days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Arizona | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 10 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Arkansas | 60–70% | Damage at or above 70% of average retail value | 15 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| California | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 15 calendar days after notice of the claim | 40 days after proof of claim; written update every 30 days if longer |
| Colorado | 80–100% | Repairs exceed retail value (100%), or insurer declares a total loss | No fixed number of days in law | Pay or deny within 60 days of a valid and complete claim |
| Connecticut | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonable promptness' (statute) | No fixed number; 'reasonable time' after proof of loss (statute) |
| Delaware | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 15 working days to acknowledge and respond | 30 days after proof of loss is received |
| Florida | No % in law | No percentage for insured cars; insurer's formula | 14 calendar days after a claim communication | No fixed days for car damage; PIP overdue 30 days after notice |
| Georgia | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 15 days after notice of the claim | 15 days after completed proof of loss (car claims); 60 days at most |
| Hawaii | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | Within 15 working days of a communication | Reasonable time after proof of loss; written reasons if open 30 days |
| Idaho | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | No fixed number; 'a reasonable time' after proof of loss |
| Illinois | No % in law | No percentage for insured cars; insurer's formula | 15 working days to respond to a communication | A reasonable time; pay within 30 days of accepting liability |
| Indiana | No % in law | No percentage for insured cars; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | No fixed number; 'a reasonable time' after proof of loss |
| Iowa | 60–70% | Repairs over 70% of fair market value | 15 days after notice of the claim | 30 days after a completed proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Kansas | 75% | Repairs at 75% of fair market value | 10 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Kentucky | 75% | Repairs over 75% of retail value | 15 days after notice of the claim | 30 calendar days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Louisiana | 75% | Damage at 75% or more of market value (title law) | Start adjusting within 14 days after notice of the loss | Pay or make a written offer within 30 days after proof of loss |
| Maine | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonable promptness' (24-A §2164-D) | Reasonable time; undisputed claims overdue 30 days after proof of loss |
| Maryland | 75% | Repairs over 75% of fair market value | 15 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after completed claim forms or proof of loss |
| Massachusetts | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (c. 176D) | Reasonable time after proof of loss; appraisal 5 business days after assignment |
| Michigan | 75% | Late-model cars: salvage title from 75% of value, scrap title at 91% or more | No fixed number; 'promptly' (MCL 500.2026) | Pay within 60 days after proof of loss, or 12% interest |
| Minnesota | 80–100% | Repairs over 80% of value, or any insurer total loss: salvage vehicle | 10 business days after notice of the claim | 30 business days after notice; written reasons and expected date if longer |
| Mississippi | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number of days found in law or regulation | No fixed number; pay promptly after adequate proof of loss (MID) |
| Missouri | 80–100% | Repairs over 80% of fair market value (cars up to 6 years past model year) | 10 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after you submit the required forms |
| Montana | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (MCA 33-18-201) | Pay or deny 30 days after proof of loss; 60 if it asks for more or explains |
| Nebraska | 75% | Repairs at 75% or more of retail value (late-model vehicles) | 15 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after proof of loss; written reasons, then every 30 days |
| Nevada | 60–70% | Repairs at 65% or more of fair market value | 20 working days after notice of the claim | 30 working days after proof of loss; written reasons, then every 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 75% | Repairs at 75% or more of fair market value | 10 working days after notice; investigation starts within 5 | 30 days after notice of claim; delay letters every 30 days |
| New Jersey | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 10 working days after notice of the claim | Car damage: inspect and offer within 7 working days of notice |
| New Mexico | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | Reasonable time after proof of loss; interest if unpaid at 45 days |
| New York | 75% | Damage at 75% or more of retail value | 15 business days after notice of the claim | 15 business days after proof of loss and requested items |
| North Carolina | 75% | Repairs at 75% of pre-accident value | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | No fixed number; pay within 10 business days after settlement |
| North Dakota | 75% | Damage in excess of 75% of retail value (NADA guide) | No fixed number; 'reasonable promptness' (statute) | No fixed number; reasonable time after proof of loss |
| Ohio | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 15 days after notice of the claim | 21 days after proof of loss; written updates every 45 days if longer |
| Oklahoma | 60–70% | Repairs over 60% of fair market value | No fixed number of days; prompt handling required | 60 days after proof of loss; investigation capped at 120 days |
| Oregon | No % in law | No percentage for insured cars; totaled when the insurer declares it | 30 days after notice of the claim | 30 days after proof of loss; written reasons, then every 45 days |
| Pennsylvania | 80–100% | Repairs would exceed the repaired car's value: 100% | 10 working days after notice of the claim | 15 working days after proof of loss; updates every 45 days if longer |
| Rhode Island | 80–100% | Insurer can't total below 85% of value; at 75–85% you choose | 15 days after notice of the claim | 21 days after proof of loss; written reasons, then every 45 days |
| South Carolina | 75% | Repairs at 75% of fair market value | No fixed number; 'reasonable promptness' (statute) | No fixed number; prompt investigation and settlement required |
| South Dakota | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | Reply to claim communications within 30 days | No fixed number; within a reasonable time after investigation |
| Tennessee | 75% | Repairs over 75% of retail value | 30 days after notice of the claim | 60 days after proof of loss; written reasons, then every 60 days |
| Texas | 80–100% | Repairs (minus repainting) exceed the car's value: 100% | 15 days after notice of the claim | 15 business days after receiving all items; up to 45 with notice |
| Utah | 80–100% | Repairs for safe operation exceed fair market value: 100% | 15 days after receiving notice of loss | 30 days after a complete proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Vermont | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 10 business days after the claim notice | 15 business days after signed proofs of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Virginia | No % in law | Repairs exceed actual cash value minus salvage value | 15 calendar days after notice of the claim | 15 calendar days after proof of loss; written reasons if longer |
| Washington | No % in law | No percentage in law; insurer's formula | 10 business days after notification of the claim | 30 calendar days after notice of claim; reasons and updates every 30 days |
| Washington, D.C. | 75% | Repairs over 75% of retail value | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | No fixed number; 'within a reasonable time' after proof of loss |
| West Virginia | 75% | Damage at 75% or more of market value | 15 working days after notice of the claim | 10 working days after investigation; written reasons if over 30 days |
| Wisconsin | 60–70% | Repairs over 70% of fair market value | No fixed day count found in Wisconsin law | Reasonable time after proof of loss; overdue if unpaid 30 days after notice |
| Wyoming | No % in law | Insurer's declaration; 75% test only when no insurer is involved | No fixed number; 'reasonably promptly' (statute) | Accept or reject, and pay, 45 days after the claim and supporting bills |
The table scrolls sideways. Short summaries of each state's statute or regulation. Insurers may total a car below the line in law, and claim deadlines mostly apply to claims under your own policy; each state page has the detail and the official sources.