| More than half of the states in the USA require that | | | | your car is worth its absolute highest value. |
| the insurance company pay state sales tax when | | | | State sales tax percentages vary widely from state |
| you replace your total loss vehicle. What those | | | | to state. Here in Georgia, the tax is calculated on a |
| states do not mandate is that the insurance | | | | county-by-county basis. In Cobb County, where I live, |
| company has to tell you about the tax issue. You | | | | the tax is 5%. However, just across the county line |
| probably won't get the sales tax unless you ask for | | | | in Fulton County, the tax is 7%. But in the City of |
| it. | | | | Atlanta, the tax is 8%. |
| To find out if your state requires the extra sales tax | | | | Look at the numbers on a $30,000 automobile. If you |
| payment, contact your state's Department of | | | | lived in Cobb County at 5%, the insurance company |
| Insurance. | | | | would owe you an additional $1,500.00. If you lived in |
| No insurance company, whether it is your insurer, or | | | | Atlanta at 8%, the amount would be $2,400.00. |
| another insurer who insures an at-fault driver, wants | | | | If you do not demand the extra sales tax payment, |
| to pay you one dollar more than the lowest Actual | | | | you're leaving thousands of dollars on the table that |
| Cash Value (ACV) that they can find. When the | | | | you are likely entitled to collect. |
| insurance company declares your car a total loss is | | | | Don't allow the insurance companies to mislead you. |
| when the strenuous negotiations begin. | | | | The Actual Cash Value of the car must include the |
| Your mission...should you accept it...is to prove that | | | | state sales tax. |