A car is considered a total loss in Colorado when the cost of repairing the car is more than the car is worth. In that case, the insurance company only pays you the car’s fair market value in the condition it was in before the collision. In effect, when a car is totaled, it is similar to the forced “sale” of your car. The price is determined by comparing your car to the current sale price of cars in your area of the same year, make and mileage. Often, insurance adjusters will look at the NADA blue book, which has a link on this website.