Whether or not a car is declared a total loss by an insurer is determined by 2 factors: How much the damages will cost to repair and how much the car was worth before the collision. The car will be declared a total loss if the cost to repair the damages is more than about 75% of the value of the car before the collision (the percentage varies by state but is generally around 75% of the car's value).
Things go into more of a "gray area" if you decide not to ask an insurer to pay for the repairs and decide to pay out of pocket to repair a car that wasn't worth very much before the collision, but I'm assuming you're just asking whether or not an insurer will declare your car a total loss since the airbag(s) deployed.
Depends on WHY the airbag deployed. If you were involved in a collision, and the repair is so expensive then yes, it's totalled. However, if you tried working on the steering wheel perhaps and the airbag deployed then just buy a replacement airbag unit and plug it right in again.
How can we tell if you neglect to tell us the year, make, model, and mileage? A 1998 vehicle with airbags deployed would cost over $2,000 to replace the airbags, controller, and seat belts. What's the vehicle worth?
Generally, if an airbag deploys in a collision it is a big strike against the vehicle. It is not a solid rule but is a good rule of thumb.
Gordon the non-mechanic is all wet. Private individuals can not replace air bags. New, factory replacement airbags must be installed by the dealer of the car in NYS. Used junk-yard air-bags will not be used by new car dealers.
A damaged car is a different story. You need an estimate of damages before thinking of an expensive air-bag replacement.
depends why your airbag deployed
if it happened during an accident and the damage bill is more than the car it is totalled
if it went off due to, say, a short circuit then it could be replaced
It means that the airbag, crash sensors, and the airbag control module must be replaced. That can run upwards of $2,000. Depending on the value of the vehicle, that can sometimes push it over the edge and cause it to be totaled.
I think you mean your car was totaled so the air bag deployed, RIGHT?
if the cost of repairs is 50%, it should be totaled.
