When a Car Is a Total Loss in Colorado
How Colorado decides a car is a total loss, salvage title rules, and how to complain about a claim.
Short answer: Colorado has no fixed percentage: a "salvage vehicle" is a flood-damaged vehicle, a vehicle branded salvage by another state, or a vehicle damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident or similar occurrence (excluding hail damage or theft) to the extent the insurer (or someone acting for… Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 42-6-102(17), 10-4-639
| Total loss rules | Colorado has no fixed percentage: a "salvage vehicle" is a flood-damaged vehicle, a vehicle branded salvage by another state, or a vehicle damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident or similar occurrence (excluding hail damage or theft) to the extent the insurer (or someone acting for the owner) determines it to be a total loss, or the cost to repair it for legal road use exceeds its retail fair market value just before the damage. Insurers must use a fair and consistent method with a credible valuation source to determine a total loss, may not shop among valuation sources only to find the lowest amount, and must pay title fees, sales tax and other transfer or registration fees associated with a total loss. Read in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 printout (Title 10 / Title 42) published by the Colorado General Assembly. Insurer claim-practice rules are in Title 10: https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-10.pdf |
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More Colorado car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Colorado
- Driving Without Insurance in Colorado
- SR-22 Insurance in Colorado
- Transferring a Car Title in Colorado
- All Colorado car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
When is a car a total loss in Colorado?
Colorado has no fixed percentage: a "salvage vehicle" is a flood-damaged vehicle, a vehicle branded salvage by another state, or a vehicle damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident or similar occurrence (excluding hail damage or theft) to the extent the insurer (or someone acting for the owner) determines it to be a total loss, or the cost to repair it for legal road use exceeds its retail fair market value just before the damage. Insurers must use a fair and consistent method with a credible valuation source to determine a total loss, may not shop among valuation sources only to find the lowest amount, and must pay title fees, sales tax and other transfer or registration fees associated with a total loss.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.