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You’re driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly — crash. The airbags deploy, saving you from major injuries. Once the dust settles, a big question hangs over everything: Does insurance automatically total a car when the airbags deploy?
Short answer: No, airbag deployment alone doesn’t guarantee that a car is totaled.
In this guide, we’ll break down how insurance companies decide whether to total a car, how airbags factor into the decision, and what you should expect if you’re ever in this situation.
When a car is “totaled,” it means the insurance company has decided:
If a car is declared a total loss, the insurer will usually:
Insurance companies use a basic formula:
Repair Costs + Salvage Value ≥ Actual Cash Value (ACV)
If the cost of repairs, plus what they could sell the wreck for, equals or exceeds the car’s value, they total it.
Factors they consider:
It’s not an emotional decision — it’s pure math.
No. While airbag deployment is a major factor, it doesn’t automatically mean a car is totaled.
Reasons:
In short: Airbags raise repair costs a lot, but the total decision depends on overall repair estimates versus vehicle value.
Replacing deployed airbags is expensive. Here’s a rough breakdown:
If multiple airbags deploy, repair bills can climb fast, sometimes totaling $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
For older or lower-value cars, that’s often enough to trigger a total loss.
Most states have a set Total Loss Threshold (TLT). If repairs exceed a percentage of the car’s value, the car must be totaled.
Examples:
Other states use a Total Loss Formula (TLF), balancing repair costs plus salvage value against the car’s pre-accident value.
Important: Your state’s laws will heavily influence whether an insurance company totals your car after an airbag deployment.
Even if airbags deploy, insurers also look at:
Sometimes, even with airbag deployment, if the rest of the car is relatively untouched, the insurer might approve repairs.
A 2010 Honda Civic worth $5,000 had front airbags deploy after a low-speed crash. Repair estimate: $6,200 (airbags + dash + minor frame tweak). Insurer totaled the car.
A 2022 Toyota Highlander worth $40,000 had driver and passenger airbags deploy. Repair cost: $18,000. Because repairs were less than 50% of ACV, the insurer approved repairs.
A 2015 Ford Fusion worth $9,500 had airbags deploy and frame rail damage. Total repair estimate: $11,000. Car was totaled not just because of airbags but because frame damage spiked repair costs.
If your car is declared a total loss:
If the car is repairable:
Don’t blindly accept the first one. Sometimes shops have varying costs for airbag repairs.
Check comparable listings for your vehicle’s make, model, mileage, and condition.
Insist on original equipment manufacturer parts (especially for airbag systems) for safety.
If you financed the car, confirm if gap coverage applies if the car is totaled.
Ask for repair updates. Push for clear timelines and clarify if supplemental damage assessments arise during repairs.
Does insurance total a car when airbags deploy? Sometimes — but not always.
Airbag deployment drives repair costs up and is a major consideration, but whether your car is totaled depends on its value, the extent of other damages, and your state’s laws.
If your car is newer or high-value, you’re more likely to see it repaired even after multiple airbags deploy. If it’s older or lower in market value, deployed airbags often tip the scales toward a total loss.
Bottom line: Be proactive, understand your car’s value, know your state’s laws, and advocate for yourself during the claims process.
