In the good old uncomplicated days, buying auto insurance was pretty simple. Having auto insurance was a given, and all we had to do was call an insurance agent, fill out an application for a policy, listen to him explain what we were getting, then take out our checkbook.

After a massive accident, a car could be declared totaled or total loss if it is so damaged that it is in a condition beyond repair, the cost of repairing it is more than the actual value of the car or the state laws and regulations deem it to be a totaled car that is not safe enough to drive again.