Study finds total loss payouts can swing thousands on used-car comps

A MyFairClaim analysis of 41,833 used-car listings found that total loss settlements can vary sharply depending on which local comparables an insurer uses. The study says the cheapest three listings can pull a valuation down by about $2,400, with some cases seeing a gap of roughly $5,000 between the cheapest and priciest matches.

Why it matters: - Drivers whose cars are totaled can see settlement offers shift by thousands of dollars based on which comparable vehicles are used to set actual cash value. - The study says that leaves room for disputes over what counts as a fair market comparison. - The findings matter most in a total loss claim, where the payout often becomes the driver’s main source of recovery after an accident.

What happened: - MyFairClaim reviewed 41,833 used-car listings from 3,017 dealers across 30 U.S. metro areas. - The study looked at 2019 to 2023 model-year listings for 24 common used vehicles within 60 miles of each metro area, using data available as of Oct. 26, 2026. - MyFairClaim said the cars were compared by model, model year, trim and mileage.

The details: - Similar used cars in the same metro were typically listed about 15% apart. - The three cheapest and three priciest matching listings were about $5,000 apart. - Valuing a totaled car on the three cheapest local listings instead of a typical one cut the estimate by about $2,400, or 9%. - In one-third of cases, that cut was more than $3,000. - For a Ford F-150, the three cheapest local comparables averaged $4,260 below a typical one. - Miami-area dealers listed the same car about 8% below a typical U.S. metro when model, year, trim and mileage were held equal. - Seattle, Denver and Indianapolis listed the same car about 3.5% to 4% above a typical U.S. metro. - Every 10,000 miles lowered asking prices by a median 3.7%. - A car with 20,000 fewer miles than its comparables can be worth roughly $2,000 more. - The full study, called Same Car, Different Price, includes results for 26 cities and 17 popular models, plus methodology and a downloadable data file, on the MyFairClaim website. - Reporters and researchers may cite the figures with a link to the study page.

Between the lines: - The study points to wide discretion in total loss valuations because ordinary dealer listings can be treated as comparable vehicles. - The results suggest that local market selection, trim matching and mileage adjustments can move a payout materially even when the car itself is the same. - The gaps also show why two drivers in the same city and week can end up with very different offers. - MyFairClaim said its own database includes about 1.32 million active listings.

What's next: - Drivers facing a total loss are being urged to ask for the full valuation report in writing, check that comparables match their car’s trim and local market, confirm any mileage credit and ask what supports each deduction. - MyFairClaim said its self-service platform provides diminished value and total loss valuation reports built on current market data and includes free calculators for both. - The company says it helps drivers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. document what their vehicle lost after an accident. - More information is available on the company’s website.