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My Vehicle is a Total Loss. May I Keep It Anyway?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.
Per the Illinois Vehicle Code, you are allowed to keep a totaled vehicle as long as it is nine years old or older. This part of the Illinois law helps minimize auto “chop shop” crimes in the state. You or the other person’s insurance company is not required to let you keep the vehicle, but they may let you.

However, if your vehicle is newer, you are required to hand it to the insurance company along with the clear title before your claim is settled. You may only file a claim with your insurer provided you have the corresponding coverage for a totaled vehicle, liability coverage alone doesn’t cover you for bodily injury or property damage.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put people first.
A lot of personal injury lawyers raise their contingency fee throughout the process, charging 1/3 if the case is settled pre-suit, charging 40% if the case is filed after a lawsuit is filed, and charging 50% if the case goes to trial. We don’t. At Mike Agruss Law, our personal injury contingency fee is always 1/3 and that’s not changing. We will handle your property damage claim FOR FREE.  We will never change our contingency fee throughout the process.  You will not owe us a penny unless you get money. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 145 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

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