If your vehicle is destroyed in an accident, swept away by a hurricane, stolen or turned into a total loss by another covered peril, your insurer will send you a check for your vehicle’s actual cash value or ACV.
The actual cash value takes depreciation into account when determining a value for your car, which can lead to a smaller payout check than you might expect. In addition to a sometimes surprisingly low payout, you’ll usually still need to cover your deductible with some of that cash.
If you’re unsure how to determine your car’s actual cash value – or why it matters – read on.
CarInsurance.com Insights
- 78% of drivers prefer calculating ACV using online calculators.
- Your vehicle’s actual cash value represents what the vehicle is worth in its current condition.
- Since ACV takes depreciation into account, your car’s ACV might not be as high as you think.
- To get an idea of the ACV, you can use an online calculator or look at similar vehicles on the used car market.
What is actual cash value, or ACV?
The actual cash value of your vehicle is its pre-collision value as calculated by your insurer. This is the amount your insurance company will pay if it is stolen or totaled after subtracting your deductible.
So, how do you determine actual cash value? Insurers consider various factors when valuing cars. They look at the vehicle’s age, mileage, past accidents and unrepaired weather issues, such as hail damage.
They are taking depreciation into account and trying to determine the car’s fair market value, which is what you would have been able to sell it for before it was destroyed.
The ACV will usually be dramatically less than you paid for the car. This is true even if the wrecked car is only a few years (or months) old. While cars are often necessary for everyday life, they are a depreciating asset. Just like a house, cars lose value over time.
According to Edmunds, new cars lose 23.5% of their value after a year, and by the time they are 5 years old, they have lost 60% of their value.
How do I determine the actual cash value of my car?
A few different ways to answer the question, “What is my car’s actual cash value?” Here are a few tips to help you calculate your vehicle’s ACV:
Calculate the actual cash value of your car
You can estimate your vehicle’s ACV by using the following steps:
- Research your vehicle: Find out how much you would pay for a similar vehicle today. Look for the same year, make, model and trim level at dealership sites and direct sell sites such as eBay, Autotrader or Carvana.
- Assess your vehicle’s condition: Honestly assess whether or not your vehicle has a history of damage and more or less than average wear and tear. When appropriate, deduct these dings from the ACV. Kelley Blue Book accounts for wear and tear in its estimates and allows you to choose a good, fair, or poor condition for your vehicle.
A simple way to understand ACV is to consider the difference between the car’s replacement cost (what it would cost to replace it with a similar model) and its depreciation. For example, if a car’s replacement cost is $20,000 and has depreciated by $5,000, the ACV would be $15,000.
Online depreciation calculators for ACV
While you can run the numbers yourself, online depreciation calculators can make your life easier.
Most major insurance companies, like most car-selling or automotive-related websites, have depreciation calculators on their sites. These calculators gather information about your vehicle and then crunch the numbers.
Here are a few vehicle actual cash value calculators to consider:
As there is no exact formula for calculating depreciation, expect a variety of estimates. Average them out to get a more accurate number.
Actual cash value vs. replacement cost
While ACV is the standard in auto insurance, some insurers offer a replacement cost policy. Replacement cost policies are commonplace in homeowners insurance but not for auto insurance.
With homeowners insurance, a replacement cost policy replaces your damaged or destroyed item with a brand new one of similar quality, regardless of how old it is or how much depreciation it has suffered.
For example, if you paid $5,000 for a couch six years ago that was destroyed in a fire, an actual cash value policy would take depreciation into account, and you may get $1,000 for your couch.
A replacement value policy would put a brand-new couch of similar quality (or the same one if they are still selling them) in your home.
Regarding auto insurance, replacement value policies are not very common. When available, they are often called a new car replacement endorsement on your policy and usually come with requirements.
Details of these policies and their requirements vary by insurer, but this coverage will generally replace your car with the same model if it is deemed a total loss. In most cases, the vehicle has to be brand new or very close to it. You must carry full coverage, including comprehensive and collision insurance, to qualify for a replacement value policy.
Here are a few of the qualifiers required by major insurers:
- Allstate: The vehicle must be less than two years old.
- American Family: Can only be purchased for brand-new vehicles and is only available for one year.
- Farmers: Can only be written for vehicles insured with Farmers upon purchase of the car and the vehicle must be less than two years old and have 24,000 or fewer miles.
- The Hartford: Will replace a totaled car that is 15 months or less old or has 15,000 or fewer miles before the accident.
- Liberty Mutual: The vehicle must be purchased, less than one year old with fewer than 15,000 miles.
How does actual cash value work?
Insurance companies will look at the car’s condition, age, mileage and any documented damage to the vehicle. They will also look at what comparable vehicles (comps) in your area are selling for to help them determine a fair market value for your car. If you ask, your insurer will usually show you the comps they use to develop their valuation.
Let’s say your car is totaled during an accident. You recently bought it for $20,000. But thanks to depreciation, the vehicle’s actual cash value is $15,000. With that, your insurance company would likely send you a check for $15,000, minus your deductible.
Keep in mind that most insurance companies use proprietary formulas to calculate a vehicle’s ACV, meaning no two insurers will likely give you the same figure.
If you are in an at-fault accident, you will only be paid out on your vehicle if you carry collision or comprehensive coverage. If you only have liability coverage and are in an at-fault accident, the cost to repair or replace your vehicle will fall on you.
What do I do if I am unhappy with my insurance company’s valuation?
If you feel the valuation of your vehicle is too low, you can dispute their number. You must find comps supporting your argument for a more significant claim check. Look for vehicles for sale in your area: The same make, model and trim level and in roughly the same condition as yours.
Here are a few other tips when disputing your insurer’s valuation:
- Search for cars at dealerships that match your vehicle.
- Check online marketplaces as well Craigslist, Nextdoor and Facebook.
- Check Kelley Blue Book for a valuation of your car.
- Pull a Carfax report on your specific vehicle.
If the numbers support your argument, present your documentation to your insurer and ask them to re-evaluate their claim valuation.
Negotiating ACV
When it comes to the ACV of your specific vehicle, the figure your insurer comes up with may seem fair to you. It may be more than you expected, or it could be a disappointment. The good news is that this number is not set in stone – you can dispute it.
“As a practicing personal injury and property damage litigator, I often advise clients to take a proactive approach when they disagree with an insurance company’s vehicle valuation,” says Seann Malloy, founder and managing partner at Malloy Law Offices in the Washington, D.C., area. “Request a detailed breakdown of the appraisal, including the comparable vehicles used to determine the value. Gather your own evidence, such as service records, photos or market listings for comparable vehicles, to rebuff their offer.”
Malloy continues, “If negotiations fail, consider hiring an independent appraiser (fees normally cost between $200 and $500) or submitting a complaint to your state’s insurance commissioner. For instance, I recently assisted a client boost the value of their 2019 sedan by $4,000 when we showed them the Kelly Blue Book info and the receipts for repairs.”
What if the actual cash value isn’t enough?
For some drivers, receiving an ACV check after an accident isn’t enough to get back on the road quickly. If you are in that situation, beefing up your insurance policy can help increase the size of the check you receive.
Explore some of the ways to enhance your coverage below.
Gap insurance
Gap insurance can help you cover the gap between your vehicle’s actual cash value and the outstanding balance on your loan or lease. Gap insurance is very affordable for the coverage it provides. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you can expect to pay around $20 annually for this coverage.
“Purchasing gap insurance makes practical sense if your vehicle is significantly financed or leased,” says John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance. “Especially for newer cars, where depreciation is steep, gap insurance can be invaluable.” But you’ll have to decide for yourself if gap insurance is worth it.
If you have a new car, you might need gap insurance: Check out CarInsurance.com’s gap coverage calculator.
New car replacement
New car replacement coverage is only available for people driving new vehicles. If you fall into that category, you must decide if the additional premium is worth it to cover the risk of you totaling your vehicle.
While the cost for this coverage will vary depending on your insurer, generally expect to spend about five percent more than you would on a standard auto insurance policy.
Stated-value vs agreed-upon value coverage
Typically, stated-value and agreed-upon value coverage are reserved for classic cars and other collectible vehicles. But it’s important to understand the difference before signing up for either policy.
Stated-value coverage
With this type of coverage, you decide how much insurance you can afford for a specialty vehicle. These policies are designed to help people who own a car worth more than they can afford to insure.
For example, the vehicle might be worth $500,000. But a stated-value policy might make sense if you can only afford an insurance policy that covers $100,000 in value. If a covered incident totaled the vehicle, the maximum value you’d receive is the stated value in the policy documents.
Agreed-value coverage
With an agreed-value policy, you and your insurer will agree on the vehicle’s value and if the vehicle is totaled, you will be paid the agreed-upon amount. These policies have no actual cash value clause; depreciation will not factor into the valuation; you will be paid the agreed value.
While these policies offer more robust coverage than a stated value policy, they are also more expensive.
Actual cash value: Common car insurance questions answered
You have questions about the actual cash value of your car. We have answers.
What happens if the ACV doesn’t cover my car loan balance?
If your car is totaled and the insurance company sends you a check for the ACV, it might not cover the remaining auto loan balance. But you’ll still be on the hook to cover the remaining balance.
If you have gap insurance, this coverage can pay for the difference between the ACV and your auto loan balance. Without gap insurance, you’ll be stuck making payments on a vehicle you can’t drive.
How does the make and model of my car affect ACV?
The type of vehicle you drive can have an impact on its rate of depreciation. Since some cars depreciate faster than others, actual cash values vary from vehicle to vehicle. For example, Jeep Wranglers tend to hold their value better than luxury sedans.
Do improvements or modifications to my car affect its ACV?
In general, improvements or modifications you make to a vehicle do impact its actual cash value. If a particular modification will increase the amount a dealership could sell the car for, it increases your actual cash value.
How does car condition impact ACV?
The better your car’s condition, the higher the ACV. Keeping maintenance records and addressing cosmetic damage can help you get the most accurate and fair valuation. Insurers consider your vehicle’s age, mileage, make and model, but they also assess the condition of your car. This includes exterior wear and tear, interior damage, mechanical condition and upgrades or modifications.
The bottom line
The actual cash value of your vehicle is an important number to familiarize yourself with. If your car is totaled in an accident, drivers with the right insurance coverage can expect to get a check for the ACV. Depending on your situation, this check might not be enough to get you back on the road in another vehicle.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Insurance, “Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost Value,” Accessed July 2025.
- Kelley Blue Book. “Actual Cash Value.” Accessed July 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute. “Determining your car’s value and cost of repair.” Accessed July 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute. “Understanding the insurance claims payment process.” Accessed July 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute. “What is gap insurance?” Accessed July 2025.
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