Is a Car Totaled If the Airbags Go Off?

What Happens When Airbags Deploy?

Airbags deploy during moderate to severe crashes. They activate based on specialized sensors that detect sudden deceleration. Front airbags typically deploy when impact equals hitting a solid wall at 10-12 mph while wearing a seatbelt. Without a seatbelt, deployment occurs at around 16 mph.

Side airbags react faster, deploying within 10-20 milliseconds of a side crash. These deploy with impacts as low as 8 mph for collisions with narrow objects like trees or poles. Different car manufacturers configure their airbag systems uniquely, but all are designed to deploy only during crashes severe enough to threaten occupant safety.

When is a Car Considered Totaled?

A car is declared totaled when repair costs exceed the vehicle’s market value. This calculation has nothing to do with whether the car can still be driven. For example, a car worth $5,000 that needs $7,000 in repairs will be declared totaled. Insurance companies use a total loss threshold to make this determination. This threshold varies by state:

• Some states use 70-75% of the car’s value
• Iowa applies a 50% threshold
• Colorado uses a 100% threshold

In the UAE, damage repairs exceeding 50% of the car’s actual cash value lead to a total loss declaration.

The Cost of Replacing Airbags

Airbag replacement costs often push repair expenses toward the total loss threshold, especially for older vehicles. On average, replacing a single airbag costs between $1,000 and $2,000. For severe accidents involving multiple airbags, costs typically rise to $3,000-$5,000.

Labor charges add approximately $80-$100 per hour on top of parts costs. The vehicle make and model significantly impact replacement costs. Luxury vehicles generally have more expensive airbag systems than economy cars.

Factors That Determine If Your Car Is Totaled After Airbag Deployment

• Vehicle’s Pre-accident Value
• Total Repair Costs
• Insurance Company Assessment

Vehicle’s Pre-accident Value

Your car’s actual cash value before the accident serves as the baseline for total loss calculations. Insurance adjusters determine this value based on:

• Year, make, and model
• Mileage and condition
• Pre-existing wear and tear
• Market demand

A 2023 luxury SUV worth $45,000 can absorb more repair costs before being totaled compared to a 2010 sedan worth $4,000.

Total Repair Costs

Repair expenses include more than just airbag replacement. Other common repairs after airbag deployment include:

Each additional repair increases the likelihood of reaching the total loss threshold.

Insurance Company Assessment

The final decision rests with your insurance company’s adjuster, who inspects the vehicle and applies appropriate formulas. The adjuster calculates if repairing the vehicle makes financial sense compared to paying its market value.

Also Read: How Many Car Payments Can You Miss Before Repo

Examples: Is It Totaled or Not?

Example 1: Older Economy Car

• 2010 sedan worth $4,000
• Front airbags deployed ($2,000 replacement)
• Additional repairs: $3,000
• Total: $5,000 in repairs for a $4,000 car
• Result: Totaled (repairs exceed value)

Example 2: Newer Luxury Vehicle

• 2023 luxury SUV worth $45,000
• Multiple airbags deployed ($4,500 replacement)
• Additional repairs: $12,000
• Total: $16,500 in repairs for a $45,000 vehicle
• Result: Not totaled (repairs are 36% of value)

What Happens After Your Car Is Declared Totaled?

When your car is totaled after airbag deployment, the insurance company offers you the actual cash value minus your deductible. You typically have two options:

• Accept the payment and surrender the vehicle
• Keep the salvaged vehicle and receive a reduced payment

If you choose to keep the car, you will need to obtain a salvage title and pay for all repairs yourself. According to the NHTSA, frontal airbags saved 50,457 lives from 1987 to 2017. Thus, this safety benefit makes proper airbag replacement essential if you decide to repair a vehicle with deployed airbags.

Bottom Line: Is a Car Totaled If the Airbags Go Off?

Is a car totaled if the airbags go off? The answer depends on the math, not the airbags themselves. For older or less valuable cars, the high cost of airbag replacement often pushes repair costs above the vehicle’s value, resulting in a total loss declaration. For newer or more expensive vehicles, even multiple deployed airbags may represent a small percentage of the car’s value, allowing for repairs rather than replacement.