Do insurers total a car when airbags deploy?

No—airbag deployment by itself does not automatically mean a car is totaled. Insurers declare a total loss when the estimated repair cost plus associated costs and the vehicle’s salvage value meet or exceed the vehicle’s actual cash value under state rules and company policy. Because replacing airbags, sensors, seat belts, and dashboards is expensive, deployment often pushes repair costs high enough to total older or lower-value cars, but newer or higher-value vehicles can frequently be repaired.

How insurers decide a total loss

Adjusters compare the cost to safely repair the vehicle to its actual cash value (ACV) right before the crash. States use either a Total Loss Formula (repair cost plus salvage value equals or exceeds ACV) or a fixed Total Loss Threshold (repairs at or above a set percentage of ACV). Insurers also overlay their own internal thresholds, commonly around 70–80%, though exact triggers vary by state and company. Airbag deployment can be a major cost driver, but it’s just one part of the estimate.

Why airbag deployment matters

When airbags deploy, repairs usually require new airbags, sensors, control modules, seat-belt pretensioners, and sometimes the dashboard and windshield, plus reprogramming and system tests. These parts are safety-critical and typically must be new OEM components, which raises costs. On older cars with lower ACVs, that can quickly reach total-loss territory; on newer models, the higher ACV can keep the vehicle repairable despite large bills.

Typical airbag-related repair items and costs

The following list outlines common components and work items that drive costs after airbag deployment, with typical ranges that vary by vehicle, brand, and labor rates.

• Airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain): roughly $800–$3,000+ each for parts; more for dash or curtain units.
• Seat-belt pretensioners and belts: $300–$1,000+ per seating position, including calibration.
• Airbag control module (SRS/SDM) and programming: $300–$1,200+ plus scan-tool labor.
• Sensors and clockspring/steering components: $150–$800+ each.
• Dashboard, interior trim, and windshield (if passenger airbag cracks or lifts it): hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on model.
• Wiring harness repair and diagnostics: highly variable, often several hours of labor.
• Post-repair scans, calibrations, and road tests: typically 1–3 hours of labor, sometimes more for advanced driver-assistance systems.

Individually these items can seem manageable, but together they often add thousands of dollars to the estimate, which is why deployment increases the chances—though not the certainty—of a total loss.

Scenarios where deployment is likely to total the car

Some circumstances make a total loss more probable when airbags deploy. Here are the common situations adjusters flag.

• Low ACV vehicles (older, high-mileage, or previously damaged cars) where even moderate safety-system costs exceed thresholds.
• Multiple airbags deployed (especially curtains and passenger dash bags) alongside seat-belt pretensioner replacements.
• Structural damage combined with safety-system work, requiring extensive labor and calibrations.
• Parts scarcity or long backorders for airbags or modules; some carriers total if essential safety parts aren’t reasonably available.
• Electric or hybrid vehicles requiring high-voltage safety checks and component replacements after a crash event triggers pyrofuses or isolation faults.
• High labor-rate markets or luxury brands where OEM parts and disassembly times are costly.

When several of these factors stack up, the estimate can quickly approach or exceed the ACV, pushing the vehicle into total-loss status.

When a deployed airbag may not total the car

There are also many cases where a vehicle with deployed airbags is repaired. These examples show when the math can favor repair.

• Newer or higher-value vehicles with strong ACVs can absorb the cost of one or two deployed airbags plus minor bodywork.
• Limited deployment (for example, only the driver airbag) with minimal structural damage and readily available parts.
• Efficient parts availability and a shop skilled in scanning, programming, and calibrations keeps labor and cycle time down.

In these situations, the repair estimate may stay below insurer and state thresholds, allowing a safe, economical repair.

What to do after airbags deploy

If your airbags have deployed, these steps help you navigate claims and safety considerations from the scene to settlement.

1. Prioritize safety: call emergency services, accept medical evaluation, and move to a safe location if possible.
2. Do not drive the vehicle: deployed airbags and potential hidden damage make it unsafe; arrange a tow.
3. Document the scene: photos of all angles, interior, VIN, mileage, and the deployed airbags; collect witness and other driver info.
4. Notify your insurer promptly and open a claim under collision or the at-fault party’s liability coverage.
5. Choose a reputable body shop; OEM-certified facilities are often preferred for airbag and ADAS work.
6. Request an itemized estimate and scans; ask the adjuster how your state defines total loss (formula vs. threshold) and what percentage they use.
7. Ask about rental coverage and storage fees; move the car to avoid mounting storage if it’s likely to be totaled.
8. If totalled, review the ACV determination; provide comparable listings, recent maintenance, and options to support value.
9. Check for taxes, title, and fees in the payout; in many states, insurers must include these when you replace the vehicle.
10. If you have a loan or lease, notify your lender; gap insurance can cover any shortfall between payoff and settlement.
11. Remove personal items and plates; decide whether to retain salvage (if allowed) and understand title branding implications.

Being organized and asking targeted questions about thresholds and valuation can speed resolution and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive after airbags deploy?

No. The vehicle’s safety systems have been compromised and there may be hidden structural or electrical damage. Have it towed and inspected.

Will my insurance rates go up?

Premium changes depend on fault, your policy, and state rules. At-fault collision claims often raise rates; not-at-fault liability claims typically have less impact. Comprehensive claims (for non-crash events) may be treated differently.

Do insurers allow used or aftermarket airbags?

Generally no. Because of safety and liability, carriers and reputable shops typically require new OEM airbags, modules, and seat belts.

How long does the appraisal process take?

Initial inspections often happen within a few days, but supplements are common once the car is torn down. Parts availability and calibrations can extend timelines; if totalled, settlement may arrive faster than a complex repair.

What if my car had an airbag recall?

Open recalls (such as Takata) are addressed by the manufacturer at no cost, but crash-related replacements after deployment are an insurance claim and not covered by recall repairs.

Summary

Airbag deployment alone doesn’t automatically total a car. Insurers total a vehicle when repair economics exceed its pre-loss value under state rules and company thresholds. Because airbag and safety-system components are expensive, deployment increases the likelihood of a total loss—especially for lower-value cars or when multiple airbags fire—but many newer, higher-value vehicles are still repairable. If your airbags deploy, don’t drive the car, document everything, and work with your insurer and a qualified shop to determine whether repair or total loss makes financial and safety sense.

Will insurance cover a car with deployed airbags?

Auto Insurance Typically Covers Airbag Malfunctions
For most drivers, you can expect auto insurance to cover your costs (or at least some of your costs) due to an airbag malfunction—as long as you have the right type of coverage available.

Is a car totaled after airbags deploy?

No, a car is not automatically totaled if the airbags deploy, but it significantly increases the chances because airbag systems are expensive to replace and indicate a severe impact. An insurance company declares a vehicle “totaled” if the estimated cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle’s actual cash value. Factors that make a car more likely to be totaled after airbag deployment include other damage to the frame or engine, a low car value, and the high cost of replacing airbags.
 
Why Airbag Deployment Doesn’t Automatically Mean Totaled

• Focus on Cost vs. Value: Insurance companies assess a vehicle’s damage by comparing the projected cost of repairs to the car’s market value. 
• High Repair Costs: Airbag replacement is costly, and the repair of other safety systems can drive up the overall estimate. 
• Severity Indicator: Airbag deployment shows the impact was severe, suggesting other damage to critical components, which often leads to a total loss declaration. 

Factors That Increase the Likelihood of a Total Loss

• Concurrent Damage: Opens in new tabDamage to the car’s frame, engine, or other structural parts in addition to the airbags. 
• Car’s Value: Opens in new tabAn older, less valuable car is more likely to be totaled because the repair costs will more easily exceed its market value. 
• High Replacement Costs: Opens in new tabThe combined cost of new airbags, dashboard components, and any other necessary repairs can quickly add up. 

What to Do After Airbag Deployment

• Get a Professional Assessment: A qualified insurance adjuster will determine the full extent of the damage and estimate repair costs. 
• Understand the Threshold: In California, a vehicle is often considered totaled if repair costs reach 75% of its value. This percentage varies by state, with some states using thresholds around 80%. 
• Consider Your Options: Even if the car is totaled, you may have the option to keep it and have it repaired. 

Can a car be fixed after airbags deploy?

Yes, a car can be repaired after its airbags have deployed, but it’s a significant and costly job that requires replacing the airbags, sensors, and potentially other components like the dash, seat covers, or wiring. The repairability often depends on the severity of the other damage and the car’s overall value; otherwise, the insurance company may consider the car a total loss due to the high cost of airbag system replacement. 
What’s involved in repairing airbag system damage

• Replacing the airbags: Deployed airbags cannot be reused and must be replaced with new ones. 
• Replacing components: The entire airbag module needs to be replaced, and the sensors that triggered the deployment will also need replacement. 
• Inspecting wiring and other parts: The clock spring, which connects the steering wheel to the electrical system, often needs replacing after an airbag deployment. 
• Addressing structural and cosmetic damage: Depending on the type of airbag that deployed, repairs may also involve replacing a dash cover, seat covers, or even the headliner. 
• Clearing codes and computer scans: The car’s computer system must be checked, reset, and scanned to ensure proper function after the parts are replaced. 

When a car might be a total loss

• High repair costs: Opens in new tabThe combined cost of replacing all the damaged airbag components can be very high. 
• Other significant damage: Opens in new tabIf the vehicle has suffered other extensive damage, such as structural issues or damage to the B-pillar or sill, the repair cost might exceed the car’s value. 
• Insurance valuation: Opens in new tabInsurance companies will assess the overall repair cost against the car’s market value to determine if it is a total loss. 

What you should do

• Go to a trusted auto body shop: A professional collision center can correctly assess the damage and perform the necessary repairs. 
• Consult the owner’s manual: Check the manual for information specific to your vehicle, such as the location of the fuel pump reset switch, which is sometimes tripped by an airbag deployment. 

What makes a car automatically totaled?

If the cost to repair the car is about the same or more than the value of your car, the insurance company will likely consider it totaled. Some companies might total your car even if the cost to fix it is lower. You can ask the insurance company what source it used to decide your car’s value.