When Do Insurance Companies Write Off A Car? 
That is going to vary from carrier to carrier . I have been told that if the cost of repairing the vehicle is greater than the valuation of the vehicle -LRB- which is based on a recognized system -RRB- then the carrier may choose to consider the vehicle `` totaled '' and pay up to the vehicle 's value or the policy limits which ever is lessor minus your deductible . 