If airbags deploy, is my car totaled?

If air bags deploy, is my car totaled? Whether or not your car is totaled will largely depend on how your state determines total loss. With a comprehensive car insurance guide and policy, you can ensure that you get proper air bag repairs or reimbursement for a totaled vehicle.

While researching if air bag deployment will total your car, you can do a quick comparison shopping to see what you could pay for a comprehensive policy. 

If an air bag deploys, is the car totaled?

What designates a car as totaled often depends on the vehicle and the state that you live in. In addition, your vehicle has a specific value that depreciates as soon as you get off the lot.

Once your car has depreciated enough, your insurer won’t want to pay for costly repairs on a vehicle that may suffer more problems soon. To help make this practice fairer, states determine percentages at which cars are considered a total loss, or totaled, which means:

• Your insurer won’t pay for any repairs
• You’ll get reimbursed for the value of the vehicle
• Any repairs to your vehicle will come out of pocket

So, if your air bags deploy is the car totaled? Getting a payment back after your air bag deployment will largely depend on what kind of insurance you have. Standard liability car insurance won’t pay for any repairs and won’t give you payment if your car is totaled.

What is the total loss percentage by the state?

The air bag replacement laws differ between states, with the loss threshold sitting at an average of 75% of the vehicle’s total value. This means that if the cost of your repairs exceeds 75% of your car’s actual value, then your vehicle will be considered totaled.

While several states sit at 70% or 75%, it’s up to each state’s legislature to determine what is considered a total loss threshold. Instead of a flat percentage, some states allow the insurer to decide the value based on a total loss formula (TFL) to determine the total loss cost.

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Is it legal to drive a car after air bags deploy?

Few laws exist regarding driving with air bags, as they represent a fairly modern invention. There are no current laws to say you can’t drive a car after the air bags deploy. However, it means you are driving without a major piece of automotive safety equipment.

According to the NHTSA, from 1987 to 2017, frontal air bags saved 50,457 lives.

Airbags are standard on vehicles produced in the U.S. today, and it’s a good idea to have them replaced immediately if they have deployed.

Read more: Can you drive a car with airbags deployed?

Are you wondering how to start a car after air bags deploy?

If air bags go off is the car totaled? Luckily, your car’s functionality won’t be affected by air bag deployment alone. Most cars can drive just fine after the air bags deploy, but you’ll be missing an important safety feature in your vehicle.

If your car doesn’t start after your air bags have been replaced, there may be additional damage that requires attention. You might ask if air bags deploy, can air bags be repaired and reused? The NHTSA finds:

No. Once deployed, an air bag – whether advanced frontal or another type – cannot be re-used and must be replaced by an authorized service technician without delay.

So while you can start your car, it’s just not a good idea to drive with deployed air bags.

Can air bags be replaced?

While it can get costly, replacing air bags after an accident may be your only option. Most air bags can be replaced unless irreparable damage to the steering wheel position has occurred.

When replacing an air bag, you should always make sure you:

• Go to an authorized mechanic
• Replace them as soon as possible
• Don’t drive your car until the air bags are replaced

To ensure that your air bag replacement goes safely and efficiently, you’ll benefit from going to a licensed mechanic as soon as possible.

There are many reasons not to attempt to repair air bags yourself. Due to the unique knowledge and delicate nature of this procedure, seek a professional. When the mechanic fixes your air bag, they’ll need to take apart major pieces like:

• The steering wheel
• Dashboard pieces
• Other interior sections

Airbags also include an inert gas that rapidly expands to deploy the air bag. If an inexperienced handset off the air bag accidentally, a high probability of injury exists.

Does insurance cover air bag replacements?

Whether or not your insurance will cover your air bag replacement will largely depend on your vehicle and the estimated cost of the repairs. As mentioned previously, your state or insurer will have a method of determining whether the repairs exceed the car’s value.

How much does it cost to replace air bags?

The cost of an air bag replacement can vary but skews high. Just for the standard air bag replacement, the mechanic will have to:

• Replace the air bag control module
• Replace seat belt buckles and retractors
• Install a new air bag
• Repair or replace wiring and other connectors that may have been damaged

You can expect to pay anywhere between 1 to 2 thousand dollars to replace your air bag and its associated safety features.

What is considered a total loss?

As mentioned above, your car is considered a total loss when the cost of the necessary repairs exceeds the total loss threshold. This threshold is either determined by a state-wide percentage or a total loss formula left up to the insurer to decide.

The total loss threshold varies from just 70% in Indiana to 100% in Colorado.

Calculating the total loss for a car depends on a few factors. Your insurance company will calculate the cost to repair your car, as well as an estimate of the value of the car, and decide if it is a total loss.

Do insurance companies require you to have air bags?

Most insurers won’t require air bags due to the number of classic cars made without them. That being said, you can still get benefits from using air bags and other safety features in your insurance.

Insurers have been known to give car insurance discounts to people who show that they are committed to being safe. This includes deals on cars with:

• Airbags
• Anti-lock brakes
• Anti-theft devices

If you have less of a chance of filing a claim, your insurer will be much more willing to provide you with savings on your monthly rates.

When were air bags invented?

The first patented air bags surfaced in 1952. However, air bags didn’t become widely used in commercial vehicles until the 1970s. Because of this recent deployment of the air bags, no pun intended, many insurers are less inclined to mandate their place in your car.

Instead, many insurers prefer to offer unique discounts for individuals with air bags in their vehicles.

How many lives are saved by air bags each year?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, air bags have saved an estimated 50,457 lives between 1987 and 2017. With the implementation of air bags in all new cars, this number will continue to go up in the future.

 

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Case Studies: Understanding the Impact of Airbag Deployment on Car Totalling

Case Study 1: Determining Total Loss Threshold

In this fictional case study, John’s car was involved in a severe accident that deployed the airbags. He wonders if his car will be considered totaled. The outcome depends on his state’s total loss threshold, which determines the percentage of the vehicle’s value at which repairs are deemed too costly. John needs to understand his state’s regulations to determine if his car will be totaled.

Case Study 2: Repair Costs and Reimbursement

Sarah’s car experienced airbag deployment after a collision. She wants to know if her insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing the airbags. In this fictional case study, Sarah reviews her comprehensive auto insurance policy and contacts her insurance provider to understand the coverage details, including any limitations or deductibles that may apply.

Case Study 3: Determining Total Loss

In this fictional case study, Mark’s car suffered extensive damage, including airbag deployment, in an accident. He wonders if his car will be deemed a total loss. Mark learns that insurance companies determine total loss by comparing the estimated repair costs to the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle.

Case Study 4: Settlement and Insurance Premiums

Emily’s car is determined to be a total loss due to airbag deployment. She wants to know what will happen next and if her insurance premiums will increase. In this fictional case study, Emily learns that the insurance company will offer her a settlement based on the car’s ACV. She needs to review the settlement offer carefully and negotiate if she believes the assigned value is insufficient.

Air Bag Deployment and Total Loss: The Bottom Line

While you may think your car is automatically a total loss, this largely depends on your state. If your state or insurer finds that the repairs for the air bag represent more than a certain percentage of cost, it will consider your car a total loss.

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