The Truth in a Nutshell
- The Value Plan is part of Allstate’s Your Choice Auto options and has several different levels.
- Despite the name, there might not be as much value as you think.
- The Allstate Platinum Protection Package costs you 15% more than the Standard Plan.
- Allstate offers a range of discounts that you can add to your coverage to increase your savings, such as the Allstate Safe Driving Bonus Check.
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This Allstate Value Plan review will cover the rates, if you should upgrade, and if the acclaimed Allstate Platinum Plan is actually worth the extra cost.
Though the Allstate Value Plan frequently appears on television nowadays and is advertised as the best protection plan you can get for your money, there isn’t actually a whole lot of information about the plan itself circulating in the media.
That’s why we did a little digging to help you with an Allstate Value Plan review. As it turns out, there might be a reason they don’t readily discuss the details. But rather than try and explain what the Allstate Value Plan is, we’re going to focus on what it’s not.
As you read, bear in mind that just because there are a lot of Allstate auto insurance discounts and value plans, that doesn’t mean they have the best deal out there.
While the Allstate quotes you receive might be lower than other value options, you might not actually be getting the insurance coverage you need.
The best way to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need at the cheapest price available is to compare quotes from different companies. Enter your ZIP code to start comparing your available rates.
Table of Contents
Is Allstate Your Choice auto insurance any good?
Let’s start with the company themselves – should you even consider Allstate?
According to a survey conducted by the Insurance Information Institute, Allstate ranks as number four in the top 10 auto insurers, making it one of the top carriers in the nation. So yes, as a company, Allstate is actually pretty great.
The other concern potential customers often have is whether or not Progressive is better than Allstate. These two powerhouses rank close together, and at any given moment, there’s no telling which one will be above the other.
The best way to determine which is better is to focus on a specific factor that’s important for you, or to compare specific packages.
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Allstate Value Plan
Now that we know we can trust Allstate, let’s talk coverage. Allstate’s Your Choice Auto program consists of four different insurance packages, each with varying levels of coverage, and varying costs.
Every package from Your Choice Auto is eligible for Auto Replacement Protection, which will replace your car with a new one for free in the event on an accident – for an extra 2 percent in cost, of course.
Allstate Auto Replacement Protection also covers the depreciation of your car (if it’s less than three years old). As we said, the Value Plan is the lowest of the four levels. To best explain it, we’re going to start at the top and work our way down.
The Allstate Platinum Protection Plan
The highest level of protection from Your Choice Auto is the Allstate Platinum Plan. It has all the bells and whistles, but those benefits come at a price – namely, about 15 percent more than the Standard Plan.
Is that 15 percent worth it? What do you get?
1. Accident forgiveness – whether it’s your fault or not. What is Allstate accident forgiveness? Allstate platinum accident forgiveness gets youa 5 percent discount, and your forgiveness starts right away (some companies have a waiting period where you “earn” your forgiveness).
2. Deductible rewards – earn an immediate $100 off your collision deductible, and an additional $100 off each following year with no accident – up to a maximum of $500 off (similar to the Vanishing Deductible over at Nationwide).
Note: states may have different regulations regarding how much can be taken off your deductible.
3. Allstate Safe Driving Bonus Check – accident-free driving earns you Allstate Safe Driving Bonus checks. On average, you can get back around 5 percent of your premium, every six months.
The biggest draw for the Allstate Platinum Plan is accident forgiveness. But how much can an accident actually affect your car insurance rates? This table shows you the average annual rates for drivers with accidents and traffic tickets.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates Based on Driving History
Insurance Companies | Average Annual Rates with a Clean Driving Record | Average Annual Rates with One Accident | Average Annual Rates with One DUI | Average Annual Rates with One Speeding Violation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,819.90 | $4,987.68 | $6,260.73 | $4,483.51 |
American Family | $2,693.61 | $3,722.75 | $4,330.24 | $3,025.74 |
Farmers | $3,460.60 | $4,518.73 | $4,718.75 | $4,079.01 |
Geico | $2,145.96 | $3,192.77 | $4,875.87 | $2,645.43 |
Liberty Mutual | $4,774.30 | $6,204.78 | $7,613.48 | $5,701.26 |
Nationwide | $2,746.18 | $3,396.95 | $4,543.20 | $3,113.68 |
Progressive | $3,393.09 | $4,777.04 | $3,969.65 | $4,002.28 |
State Farm | $2,821.18 | $3,396.01 | $3,636.80 | $3,186.01 |
Travelers | $3,447.69 | $4,289.74 | $5,741.40 | $4,260.80 |
USAA | $1,933.68 | $2,516.24 | $3,506.03 | $2,193.25 |
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One accident can raise your rates with Allstate an average of $97 a month – making the appeal of accident forgiveness pretty obvious, especially if you’re an accident-prone driver.
The Allstate Gold Plan
After the Platinum Plan comes the Gold Plan, which only costs about 7 percent more than the Standard Policy. When you pit the Allstate Gold Plan vs Platinum, you’ll find that the Gold is not quite as comprehensive as Platinum, but can certainly hold its own.
So what does the Allstate Gold Package offer?
1. Accident forgiveness – only for one accident, but it takes three full years of accident-free driving to qualify. Basically, your rates won’t increase if you only get in one accident every three years (Allstate Platinum coverage is better if you’re prone to be a frequent offender).
2. Deductible rewards – just like the Allstate Platinum Protection Plan, you get $100 off of your collision deductible, plus an extra $100 off each year (up to a max $500 off).
Those benefits aren’t anything to scoff at but if you’re a pretty safe driver, they might not be worth the extra 7 percent in cost.
However, if you’d feel more comfortable with some occasional accident forgiveness (after all, accidents do happen!), and especially if you’re a loyal customer not looking to change auto insurance companies that often, the Gold Plan might just be for you.
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Allstate’s Compete Protection with the Standard Level Policy
The third level of Your Choice Auto is the Allstate Standard Plan, which covers all the basics, with one bell (or whistle):
1. Accident Forgiveness – This accident waiver enhancement feature does still offer some lenience towards accidents, but only after a five-year period of accident-free driving where you “earn” your forgiveness.
For loyal customers planning to stick around a while (and good drivers who are confident in their ability to be accident-free for five whole years), this plan might be a good option. It’s still a good idea to shop around a little, though.
There might be an even better plan around the corner – especially if you’re a good driver who doesn’t typically get in accidents.
How is the Allstate Value Plan different?
Finally, we’ve made it to the Value Plan. There are no bells and no whistles at this level – it’s your basic auto insurance policy without all the hype and options to spend more money. Sometimes that’s all you need. Sometimes, you just want to be able to legally drive your car.
The Allstate Value Plan will meet your state’s minimum coverage requirements. You can add additional coverages, like comprehensive, collision, or personal injury protection, as you see fit.
You can also add Allstate-specific coverages, like Allstate Tape Coverage, which covers damage to DVDs and CDs (for those with a sound system and passion for their music).
The Value Plan does come with free enrollment in Good Hands Roadside Assistance and gets you a 5 percent discount for paying your bill upfront and in full.
And don’t forget the Allstate auto insurance discounts, like the Allstate Safe Driving Discount. Car safety features, good grades, and multiple policies can all get you an Allstate insurance company discount.
Allstate Car Insurance Discounts
Allstate Discounts | Percentage Saved |
---|---|
Anti-lock Brakes | 10% |
Anti-Theft | 10% |
Claim Free | 35% |
Daytime Running Lights | 2% |
Defensive Driver | 10% |
Distant Student | 35% |
Driver's Ed | 10% |
Driving Device/App | 20% |
Early Signing | 10% |
Electronic Stability Control | 2% |
Farm Vehicle | 10% |
Full Payment | 10% |
Good Student | 20% |
Green Vehicle | 10% |
Multiple Policies | 10% |
Newer Vehicle | 30% |
On-Time Payments | 5% |
Paperless Documents | 10% |
Paperless/Auto Billing | 5% |
Passive Restraint | 30% |
Safe Driver | 45% |
Senior Driver | 10% |
Utility Vehicle | 15% |
Vehicle Recovery | 10% |
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Milewise from Allstate allows drivers to pay less for car insurance if they don’t drive very far. You install a simple device that tracks your mileage, and supposedly, you can save an average of 20 percent.
Milewise Allstate reviews are mixed. Some users like it, but other users are not happy that the device tracks your driving habits as well as your mileage. There’s also a daily surcharge, whether you drive that day or not.
Allstate also offers a program called Drivewise. This program uses a similar device that you install in your car that specifically tracks your driving habits. You can save up to 15 percent if you’re a safe driver. Drivewise reviews seem mostly positive, as are Allstate’s company-wide reviews.
The Verdict: Allstate Platinum vs Gold, Standard, and Value
Allstate has, in the past, spent most of its advertising money pushing its “dollar for dollar” pitch. This tactic explains why Allstate’s coverage plans may, on the surface, appear to cost more – but at their core, Allstate insurance actually gets you more for your money.
Unfortunately, the price tag associated with any given package has been a pretty significant deterrent to families who just can’t afford more expensive insurance.
This may be why Allstate decided to roll out the Value Plan.Not everyone has the option to spend money on additional coverage like the Allstate Platinum Plan; they just need insurance.
And, with Allstate’s various upgrade options and discounts, the Value Plan might actually just be the best bang for your buck. How can you know for sure? Compare! Many companies offer coverage similar to one of the Allstate Protection Plan or the Allstate Value Plan.
What do you think of this Allstate Value Plan review? Did we miss anything?
Grab an insurance quote online to shop your rates with multiple insurers all at once, and make sure you’re getting the best insurance for you, at the best price available! Enter your ZIP code to compare your rates now.
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Written by:
Shuman Roy
Content Writer & Entrepreneur
Shuman Roy is an entrepreneur, business owner, and musician. He started RoysNoys, LLC in 2013 as a music production and education service company. He also offers small business consulting and advisory services to help businesses get from start-up mode to turn-key operations. Shuman earned his M.B.A from the Stern School of Business in 2001 and has an undergraduate degree from Manhattan College in ...
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Written by Shuman Roy
Content Writer & Entrepreneur
Reviewed by:
Joel Ohman
Founder, CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity-backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida.Joel...
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Reviewed by Joel Ohman
Founder, CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.
FAQs
How does Allstate determine car value? ›
Your vehicle's value is based on its actual cash value, which is determined by various factors that include the vehicle's condition, prior damage and local market pricing.
Why does Allstate keep raising rates? ›There are many factors that are considered when increasing premiums. We review the policy coverage, prior claims, the type of claims you've made and how long you've been with Allstate.
How does Allstate accident forgiveness work? ›Your car insurance premium doesn't have to go up just because of an accident. When you add Allstate's optional Accident Forgiveness coverage to your auto insurance policy, your rates won't go up after an accident — even if it was your fault. Accident Forgiveness protection begins the day you sign up.
Does Allstate milewise track your speed? ›What information does the Milewise device collect? Information collected by the Milewise device includes driving speed, miles, time of day, driving events, and location. This enables us to provide you personalized driving feedback, account details, and Allstate Rewards points.
What not to say to insurance adjuster? ›- Never Admit Fault. ...
- Don't Answer Questions About the Incident. ...
- Don't Give Information about Your Physical or Emotional Condition. ...
- Don't Accept the Initial Settlement Offer. ...
- Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today.
Actual cash value (ACV)
ACV is used to determine how much of a payout you will receive for a totaled vehicle. It is determined by the replacement cost of your vehicle minus depreciation, which considers things like age and wear and tear.
- Read your insurance policy. ...
- Calculate your damages before the negotiation. ...
- Determine the highest and lowest settlement amounts you will accept. ...
- Do not accept the first amount that the adjuster offers you.
Our goal is to improve the working experience of employees while reducing the costs associated with attrition. In 2022, Allstate US' total employee turnover was 30%, and voluntary turnover was 26%, including retirees.
Why did my car insurance go up $100? ›Auto accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increasing, but there are other reasons why car insurance premiums go up including an address change, new vehicle, and claims in your zip code.
Does Allstate raise your rates after your first accident? ›Even if you've been considered a safe driver in the past, your insurer may re-evaluate your driving record and decide to raise your premium if new claims indicate you've become a riskier driver. However, filing a claim doesn't mean your insurance premium will automatically increase.
Does Allstate still give you a check? ›
If you're enrolled in Allstate's Safe Driving Bonus® program, you'll earn a bonus every six months you don't have an accident. Safe Driving Bonus payouts will be automatically issued as a credit to your car insurance policy. Get a quote today to learn about the many ways you can save with Allstate.
Does accident forgiveness reset Allstate? ›The Allstate Accident Forgiveness reset will begin with your accident. After that, coverage won't kick in again for three years. However, the Platinum plan works a little differently.
Does Drivewise penalize you for speeding? ›Speed: The app considers anything over 80 mph unsafe, so your discount will go down if you drive faster than that. However, the app doesn't track your speed relative to the speed zone. So Allstate won't penalize you for driving 40 mph in a 30 mph zone. Hard braking: Stopping short can reduce your discount.
Can your rates go up with Drivewise? ›But while using Drivewise will not raise your rates, Drivewise users can still experience rate increases for other reasons. Factors irrelevant to your driving — such as your age, marital status or credit score — can cause your premiums to go up or down.
Does phone activity affect Drivewise? ›Drivewise also tracks phone activity, including texting, phone calls, and other phone usages. So while Allstate doesn't base your discount on phone activity, it allows you to see how much you and other drivers on your policy use your phone while driving.
Can you argue with an adjuster? ›Negotiate with your insurance adjuster
If you feel that the vehicle appraisal from your car insurance company is too low, you can opt to negotiate with your claims adjuster.
Dealing With Insurance Adjusters
The insurance adjuster has only the best interests of their client in mind and will perform their duties with a certain degree of bias. Some insurance adjusters may even go as far as to employ bad faith tricks to lower the potential payout the insurance company has to deliver.
Should I Keep Calling the Insurance Adjuster? Yes, keep calling. The adjuster is obligated to keep you updated on the progress of your claim and answer any questions that you have about it. The adjuster may also call if they need more information about the accident or want to discuss settlement options.
Is a car totaled if airbags deploy? ›Many people believe, and have likely been told, that if the airbags go off after a crash, the vehicle is automatically considered a total loss. This is not true. While a crash that is severe enough to set off the airbags will usually cause enough damage to total the car, it doesn't always.
What if repair costs exceed the value of my car? ›Know your car's value
Note that most standard auto policies will not pay to repair a vehicle if it is "totaled"—that is, if the repairs cost more than the cash value assigned to the car. It is up to your insurer to decide whether to pay for repairing your car or to declare it a total loss and pay you its book value.
How do you negotiate a total loss payout? ›
- Gather All Evidence and Documentation. ...
- Prepare a Thorough Counteroffer. ...
- Look for Comparable Values in Your Area. ...
- Get the Insurance Company's Offer in Writing. ...
- Make Your Counteroffer.
You can submit feedback about your agent by completing the contact us form. You can also send an e-mail to your Allstate agent by using our convenient Agent locator and submitting your e-mail directly from their agency page or by calling 1-800-255-7828 any time.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Allstate insurance? ›While promoting its insurance products to customers, Allstate may have violated federal telemarketing laws. A class action lawsuit against the insurer claims Allstate placed repeated, unsolicited telemarketing calls to consumers without getting their consent.
Can I negotiate total loss value? ›Yes, you can negotiate the value of a totaled car with your insurance company. You'll need to do some research on the actual cash value (ACV) of your car and learn about your state's total loss threshold, but you can negotiate a total loss claim just like you can negotiate any other claim.
How much do top Allstate agents make? ›Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $68,056 | $33 |
75th Percentile | $53,857 | $26 |
Average | $50,066 | $24 |
25th Percentile | $33,293 | $16 |
2021 Rank | Company Name | Justified Complaint Ratio |
---|---|---|
2021 | ||
8 | Allstate Ins Co | 1.8 |
9 | Geico Gen Ins Co | 1.8 |
10 | California Cas Ind Exch | 1.9 |
American retail corporation Walmart has been the world's largest company by revenue since 2014.
What are the Allstate rate hikes? ›Allstate Northbrook Indemnity Co. received approval for a 6.9% rate increase in California, which could increase the group's overall premiums by $165.5 million. Regulators in the fourth quarter of 2022 signed off on rate hikes for United Services Automobile Association and Farmers Insurance Group of Cos.
Does credit score affect insurance rate? ›A higher credit score decreases your car insurance rate, often significantly, with almost every insurance company and in most states. Getting a quote, however, does not affect your credit.
Why am I paying too much for car insurance? ›Common causes of overly expensive insurance rates include your age, driving record, credit history, coverage options, what car you drive and where you live. Anything that insurers can link to an increased likelihood that you will be in an accident and file a claim will result in higher car insurance premiums.
Will Allstate drop you for too many claims? ›
There is no limit on the amount of insurance claims you can file, but most experts say filing more than one claim per year could result in an insurance company canceling your policy. It's best to avoid filing multiple claims in one year.
What are the annual compensation expectations for Allstate? ›As of May 14, 2023, the average annual pay for an Allstate Agent in the United States is $47,118 a year.
How much will my premium go up after a claim? ›How much does insurance go up after a claim? A single claim can raise your rates an average of 28%, according to one major insurer, but different claims are weighted differently, so a minor fender bender may not increase your premium the way a major at-fault accident might.
How long does Allstate take to send a check? ›But the Allstate settlement process is quicker than many insurance companies. You can expect a settlement offer after submitting a complete demand package within 30 to 45 days. When you settle, Allstate gets out settlement checks pretty quickly as well.
Can I keep a check from an insurance claim? ›As long as you own your car outright, you can do whatever you want with the claim money you receive from your insurer. This means that you can keep any leftover money from your claim. However, it is very important to never intentionally overestimate the cost of repairing your car.
Do I deposit a check from insurance claim? ›The reason you should not deposit or cash the settlement check sent by an insurance company is two-fold: Insurance companies are business ventures: Just like any other business entity, insurance companies want to make more money. One way this is done is through settling claims for minimal compensation.
What does upgraded accident forgiveness mean? ›What is Accident Forgiveness? Accident forgiveness is an auto insurance benefit that may prevent insurance rates from increasing as a result of a driver's first at-fault accident. It can be added to a policy or awarded to those with a good driving record.
Will I get a refund from Allstate? ›Drivers can cancel a Allstate policy by calling their agent, and they will receive a full refund for any unused premiums. To cancel your Allstate policy, you will need your policy number and the date you want your policy to end. You might also need proof of a new policy if you're switching insurers.
Do Allstate claims expire? ›Allstate does not have a set time limit for filing claims and will consider a claim even if it is filed months or years after the incident occurred.
What does Allstate Drivewise look for? ›Drivewise offers crash detection as a free safety feature within the Allstate® mobile app. When the app detects that you may have been in a serious crash—either as a passenger or as a driver—we'll send you a notification through the Allstate mobile app to offer help.
How much does Drivewise actually save? ›
Customers who sign up for Drivewise can save up to 40%, including an initial discount of 10%. Allstate Drivewise never increases premiums for bad driving, so policyholders will never be penalized for trying the program.
How does Allstate Drivewise know who is driving? ›Allstate Drivewise does not know who is driving because it works by monitoring your phone's GPS, which could be in the vehicle even when you're not the driver. If a trip is detected where you aren't the driver, you can delete the trip using the Allstate mobile app, and that trip will not count.
How many trips for drivewise? ›Drivewise collectively takes all qualifying drivers' trip information into account when calculating the performance rating. Qualified drivers are those who complete 50 or more trips.
Can I opt out of Drivewise? ›Yes, you can turn Drivewise off by going into the Allstate mobile app, locating the settings menu, and changing the Drivewise tab from “Active” to “Off.” After turning the program off, an option to “Auto-Restart” will pop up, which lets you choose how long you'd like to keep Drivewise off.
Can you unplug Drivewise? ›Nothing will happen if you unplug Drivewise a handful of times, but any more than that and Allstate may remove your safe-driving discount. Tips and tricks for using Drivewise: Drivewise tracks your speed, location, the time of day you drive, performance, braking, and more.
How do insurance apps know who is driving? ›Through GPS and other location-tracking features, the app will record and monitor your driving habits while you're on the road — it's as simple as that!
How can I reduce my phone usage while driving? ›For example, put your phone on Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode if you are easily distracted by your phone notifications. You could even download an app that locks the phone if it detects that you're driving. This blocks all functionalities until you reach your destination or stop driving.
Does State Farm Drive Safe track phone usage? ›This app is paired with a Bluetooth beacon that you receive in the mail from State Farm. The beacon, designed to adhere to your windshield, and app work together to track relevant driving data. The app also monitors when you pick up your phone, indicating potential distracted driving.
Which is better replacement cost or actual cash value? ›Overall, replacement cost is a far better form of coverage than actual cash value. An RCV policy will help replace damaged or stolen property with new items. Actual cash value coverage will only cover the depreciated amount, which means you'll have to pay more out of pocket to replace everything.
What is the difference between actual cash value and market value? ›In contrast, actual cash value (ACV), also known as market value, is the standard that insurance companies arguably prefer when reimbursing policyholders for their losses. Actual cash value is equal to the replacement cost minus any depreciation (ACV = replacement cost – depreciation).
What does Allstate consider a car totaled? ›
Definition: Totaled car
A car is generally considered totaled when the cost to repair the car exceeds the value of the car. Depending on your coverage, your auto insurance company may reimburse you for the current market value of your vehicle.
How Is Actual Cash Value Calculated? In the insurance industry, actual cash value gets calculated by taking the replacement cost value of property and subtracting the depreciation from it.
What is the disadvantage of actual cash value coverage? ›The benefit of actual cash value is that you'll pay less in monthly premiums. The downside is that the check your insurance company sends you might not be enough to actually replace the items you lost or to rebuild your home at today's construction costs.
Does actual cash value insurance cost more than replacement value insurance? ›You'll pay less out of pocket if you need to replace anything damaged or stolen in the future. If you have older items, they'll be paid out in a higher amount than if you have actual cash value home insurance. Replacement cost coverage will have higher premiums than actual cash value insurance.
Why do they recommend you get guaranteed replacement cost value coverage? ›“Guaranteed replacement cost” coverage works to fill the same gap as extended replacement cost: If local materials and labor costs have spiked, and rebuilding costs now exceed your dwelling coverage amount, this provides an extra cushion of protection so that you can rebuild your house without dipping into your own ...
Why is actual cash value considered better than replacement value? ›Actual cash value may be a more affordable option, but it may not offer sufficient coverage if your personal belongings are stolen or damaged. On the other hand, RCV increases the cost of your policy, but the payout amount you will likely receive from your insurer will be higher in the event of a covered loss.
What does 25% actual cash value mean? ›In most cases, you would find that 25% of the actual cash value will cover the remainder of your loan in its entirety.
What does $100 replacement cost mean for insurance? ›If you have damaged property, RCV helps reimburse you for a new item that's of similar quality. For example, if you bought equipment five years ago for $100, replacement cost coverage as a part of your insurance pays for what's it's worth today.
Does a total loss hurt your credit? ›How Can a Totaled Car Affect Your Credit Scores? Car accidents, even those that result in a financed car being totaled, won't directly impact your credit scores. Credit scores are based solely on the information in your credit report and don't include things like your driving record or previous insurance claims.
What's the difference between total loss and actual cash value? ›If the damage to your vehicle exceeds a certain percentage of the ACV, the insurer will declare it a total loss. They will reimburse you for the actual cash value of the car (minus your deductible).
What is the actual cash value rule? ›
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
The amount of money needed to fix your home, minus the decrease in value of your property because of age or use. This is also called Depreciated Cash Value.
Actual cash value is computed by subtracting depreciation from replacement cost while depreciation is figured by establishing an expected lifetime of an item and determining what percentage of that life remains. This percentage, multiplied by the replacement cost, provides the actual cash value.