1. What is the Accident OTD Calculation?

The Accident Out The Door (OTD) price calculation determines the total amount you'll pay out of pocket after a car accident, combining repair costs and insurance deductibles.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( Repair \) — Total cost of vehicle repairs
• \( Ins\_ded \) — Insurance deductible amount

Explanation: This calculation gives you the true out-of-pocket cost after an accident, accounting for both what you pay the repair shop and what you owe your insurance company.

3. Importance of OTD Price Calculation

Details: Understanding your total financial responsibility after an accident helps with budgeting and financial planning, especially when deciding whether to file an insurance claim.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter repair costs in dollars (get estimates from body shops) and your insurance deductible amount (found in your policy). Both values must be non-negative.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I always file an insurance claim?
A: Compare the OTD price to your deductible. If repairs are less than deductible, paying out-of-pocket may be better to avoid premium increases.

Q2: What's not included in this calculation?
A: Rental car costs, diminished value, or medical expenses aren't included - these would be additional expenses.

Q3: How accurate are repair estimates?
A: Initial estimates may change after tear-down when hidden damage is discovered. Get multiple estimates for comparison.

Q4: Does this work for at-fault accidents?
A: Yes, the calculation is the same regardless of fault, though fault determination affects whose insurance pays.

Q5: What if repairs exceed vehicle value?
A: Insurance may "total" the vehicle if repairs exceed a percentage (usually 70-80%) of its actual cash value.