Can you get insurance on a salvage title car?

Q: What is a salvage title car?

If a vehicle has a salvage title , that means it's no longer roadworthy due to suffering extensive damage. Salvage title cars are typically totaled vehicles that have been declared a total loss, which means the cost to repair the vehicle is so high that it's more cost-effective to replace the vehicle instead.

No, you can't get insurance for salvage cars. Once a car is declared a total loss, it's destined for the scrapyard — unless it's sufficiently repaired and rebuilt. If you want to insure a vehicle that's been declared a total loss, you'll first need to make sure it has a rebuilt title status — and even then, you may have limited coverage options.

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What is a salvage title car?

If a vehicle has a salvage title, that means it's no longer roadworthy due to suffering extensive damage. Salvage title cars are typically totaled vehicles that have been declared a total loss, which means the cost to repair the vehicle is so high that it's more cost-effective to replace the vehicle instead.

If you own a vehicle with a salvage title, the only way to get it back on the road is to rebuild it. You typically need to have a licensed repair specialist rebuild the vehicle and ensure it passes a car inspection. If it passes the inspection, your vehicle will receive a rebuilt title status. You'll then need to get car insurance before you take it for a drive. Note that not all insurance companies offer coverage for a rebuilt title vehicle, and some that do may limit your coverage options.

What coverages are available for rebuilt title vehicles?

If your insurance company accepts rebuilt title vehicles, then you can typically get liability coverage as well as any other coverages your state requires, such as uninsured motorist coverage or medical payments coverage and personal injury protection.

Depending on the insurer, you may or may not be able to get comprehensive car insurance coverage or auto collision coverage on your rebuilt title vehicle. This is because rebuilt vehicles may still have damage or issues from the accident that totaled them, making it difficult to tell the difference between old and new damage to the vehicle.

Does it cost more to insure a rebuilt title car?

Due to the vehicle's history, a vehicle that's been rebuilt may cost more to insure. Since a rebuilt vehicle may have issues that weren't fixed during the restoration process, insurance companies may view them as more likely to be involved in an accident, which can lead to a higher insurance rate for a rebuilt title vehicle.

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