It’s a nightmare scenario: your car is declared totaled after an accident, but you only have liability coverage. No comprehensive or collision, no full coverage—just the minimum required by law. And now? You’re stuck.
If you’re asking, “what happens if my car is totaled and I only have liability insurance?” you’re not alone. The short answer is: you won’t receive a payout from your insurance company. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.
Here’s what you need to know, and how DamagedCars.com can help you turn your totaled vehicle into cash.
What Liability Insurance Actually Covers
Liability coverage is designed to cover damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not pay for damage to your own vehicle.
So, if the accident was your fault—or even if no one else was found liable—you’re responsible for the cost of replacing your car.
If the other driver was at fault and has insurance, you may be able to file a claim through their liability coverage. But if not? You’re out of luck unless you take legal action (which can be time-consuming and expensive).
Can I Sell a Totaled Car With Just Liability Insurance?
Yes—and it’s often your best option. If repairs cost more than the vehicle is worth, your car is considered a total loss. You can try to:
- Sell the vehicle as-is to a private buyer (can be time-consuming)
- Part out the car yourself (requires time, tools, and space)
- Sell it to a salvage yard or junk car buyer like DamagedCars.com
We specialize in buying totaled cars—even if you have no insurance payout, no plans to fix it, and no interest in negotiating with scrapyards.
How to Sell a Totaled Car With No Insurance Payout
- Get a quote. Enter your car’s VIN and condition on DamagedCars.com.
- Review your offer. We’ll give you a fair-market value quote—no obligations.
- Schedule free towing. We’ll pick it up from your location, anywhere in the U.S.
- Get paid. No hidden fees, no stress, no problem.
Even if your vehicle doesn’t run or has severe body/frame damage, we’ll still make an offer.
When Selling Makes More Sense Than Fixing
Here are a few signs it’s smarter to sell your totaled car:
- Repair costs exceed 70-80% of the car’s value
- You don’t have full coverage insurance
- You don’t want to finance a major repair out of pocket
- You need to free up space or move on quickly
Trying to sell a totaled car privately can take weeks or months. With DamagedCars.com, the entire process can be completed in just a few days.
What About the Title?
Even without an insurance payout, you still legally own the car. You’ll need:
- Your title (or a replacement from the DMV)
- A government-issued ID
We can help guide you through the paperwork based on your state’s laws and whether your title is branded as “salvage” or “rebuilt.”
Final Thoughts
If your car is totaled and you only have liability insurance, the situation might feel hopeless—but it doesn’t have to be. Even without insurance compensation, you can still sell your car and get paid for it.
DamagedCars.com makes the process easy. We’ll give you a fair offer for your totaled vehicle, tow it away for free, and help with any title or paperwork needs.
Get your no-obligation quote today and turn your totaled car into something that actually works for you—cash in your pocket.
