Total Loss Appraisal in Florida
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Florida generally uses an 80% total loss threshold. If the reasonable cost to repair your vehicle (and in some cases its salvage value) reaches around 80% or more of the car’s Actual Cash Value (ACV) before the crash, the insurer may declare it a total loss under state rules. Learn more in our guide to state-by-state total loss laws.

ACV is your car’s fair market value in Florida just before the accident. It’s based on year, make, model, trim, mileage, options, condition, and local Florida listings (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and nearby markets). See how ACV is calculated in our Fair Market Value guide.

No. You can request the full valuation report (CCC, Mitchell, etc.), review every comparable, and push back if Florida comps, options, mileage, or condition are missing or undervalued. Many drivers use a SnapClaim Florida total loss appraisal to show a higher, data-backed value: Florida total loss appraisals.

Florida’s no-fault rules mainly affect injury (PIP) benefits, not whether your car is a total loss. Vehicle damage is usually handled under the at-fault driver’s property damage liability coverage or your own collision coverage. The total loss value is still based on ACV and Florida market data. For a deeper overview, visit our Florida total loss & diminished value hub.

When a vehicle meets Florida’s total loss rules, the insurer or owner usually surrenders the title and the state issues a salvage title or, for severely damaged vehicles, a certificate of destruction. If the vehicle is properly repaired and inspected, it may later qualify for a rebuilt title before going back on the road. Always review title branding carefully before agreeing to a settlement.

Often, yes. If you choose to retain the salvage, the insurer typically reduces your cash settlement by the vehicle’s estimated salvage value, and your Florida title will be branded accordingly (salvage or rebuilt after repairs). SnapClaim can help you understand whether the proposed salvage value and ACV are in line with the Florida market: talk to our Florida total loss team.

Many Florida total loss settlements include state sales tax and certain tag and title fees needed to replace your vehicle, but it’s not automatic. Ask your adjuster for an itemized breakdown of ACV, taxes, and all fees. Our valuation guide explains these line items in more detail: Fair Market Value & ACV breakdown.

If your payoff is higher than the total loss settlement, you may have negative equity. You’re still responsible for that balance unless you have GAP insurance or loan/lease payoff coverage. Getting an accurate, Florida-specific ACV from SnapClaim can reduce or eliminate that gap by making sure your payout reflects real market value: get a Florida total loss appraisal.

Florida law sets strict statutes of limitations for car accident claims, and recent changes have shortened some deadlines. Property-damage-only lawsuits are often limited to just a few years, and injury claims may have even shorter timeframes. Because deadlines can change and depend on your situation, talk with a Florida attorney as soon as possible if you’re unsure about timing. SnapClaim focuses on the valuation side of your total loss and provides appraisals that support those discussions: see how our Florida reports are used.

Many Florida auto policies have an appraisal clause for disputes over total loss value. It usually allows you (as the insured) and the insurer to each hire an appraiser; if they disagree, a neutral umpire helps set the value. This process is normally available only under your own policy, not when you’re making a purely third-party claim against the other driver’s insurer. A SnapClaim report can support you if you invoke appraisal: learn how our Florida appraisals are used.

Yes. SnapClaim works statewide. Whether your crash happened in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, or a smaller Florida city, we pull hyper-local comps that reflect your actual market. You can start from our Florida landing page: Florida total loss & DV overview or go straight to the appraisal order form: order a Florida total loss appraisal.

Most Florida total loss appraisals are completed the same business day after we receive your claim info and documents—often in about an hour. That speed lets you counter low offers quickly before the claim drags on. Get started here: start your Florida total loss appraisal.

SnapClaim builds a Florida-specific valuation file using verified listings, condition adjustments, options, mileage, and market corrections for your city. The report clearly shows how your ACV was calculated and where the insurer’s number may fall short. Many clients recover thousands more after presenting a SnapClaim appraisal: see examples of Florida total loss results.