total loss

[ˈtoʊtəl lɔs]
nounpl: total losses
perda total
1. A situation where an insured item (usually a vehicle) is damaged so severely that the cost of repairs exceeds or equals a significant percentage of its market value, making repair economically unfeasible
The insurance company declared the car a total loss after the accident.
A companhia de seguros declarou o carro uma perda total após o acidente.
2. In general contexts, a complete or absolute loss with no remaining value or possibility of recovery
The business suffered a total loss when the warehouse burned down.
O negócio sofreu uma perda total quando o armazém pegou fogo.
3. In military or combat terms, the complete destruction or loss of equipment, troops, or resources
The regiment was considered a total loss after the battle.
O regimento foi considerado uma perda total após a batalha.
In Brazilian insurance contexts, 'perda total' is a critical designation that triggers specific legal procedures and compensation requirements. In the USA, especially in NYC, the term is commonly used in insurance claims, automotive accidents, and financial discussions. Insurance companies typically classify a vehicle as a 'total loss' when repair costs exceed 70-80% of its market value, though this percentage varies by state and insurer.
NYC Slang
totaled (informal American usage, similar to 'total loss')
Synonyms / Sinônimos
complete losswrite-offabsolute lossirretrievable lossdestroyed asset
Antonyms / Antônimos
partial losssalvageablerecoverable lossrepairable damage

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
perda total
Standard term used in insurance and general contexts throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
perda total
Same as standard Brazilian usage
São Paulo
perda total
Commonly used in insurance documentation and automotive contexts
Portugal
sinistro total
More formal/technical insurance terminology used in European Portuguese

Related Words

insurance claimsalvage valuedeductibleliabilitywrite-offdepreciation

Related Idioms & Phrases

write something off as a total loss
declare something a total loss
suffer a total loss
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