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If you buy a car with a salvaged title will your insurance sky rocket? |
Another answer: Vehicles with a "salvage title" are seen as being worth less (or worthless) compared to the same vehicle with a "clean title". This has nothing to do with the actual quality or condition of the vehicle itself (indeed, i have a couple salvage title cars which were a great bargain and very reliable). The insurance rates will most likely be approximately the same, but in the event of an accident and insurance settlement, the vehicle will be considered by the insurers as almost completely valueless.
When it comes to salvage title vehicles (as with any used vehicle) buyer beware.
Another answer: above is incorrect.
- When you purchase a repairable vech ( the decision bewtween a parts only and repairable is the insurance co)
- In Mass prior to being able to register and insure the car.you must have it inspected by the State Police after its been repaired
- Once this has been done your good to go.
- As for the cars value, yes the title does state, "reconstructed" former salvage.
- When you insure the car, you pay the same rate for insurance as someone who has a clean title.
- If you paid less for insurance it would indicate that the car is worthless than another with a clean title. but the insurance co doesnt allow for that. if they try to pay don't settle they must pay you on the book value (minus any prexisting damage)
- Example; Car is stolen and recovered after 30 days, owner has been paid for the car, its sold for salvage but with a repairable title
- If the insurance company has a problem with paying a claim on a salvage car maybe, they should sell them for parts only
Another answer: All of the above is not necessarily correct.
I guess different states have different laws. I drive a car that has a salvage title. I didnt have to have the vehicle inspected by the state police after it was repaired. I didnt have to have anyone look at the car. I have full coverage insurance on the vehicle, and I dont pay any more than I do for any of my other vehicles. Also, the car is the best, most reliable used vehicle I have ever owned. I have been driving it for over a year and I havn't put any money in it for anything other than upkeep and gas.
Laws regarding salvage cars vary from state to state. A reconstructed salvage car is worth less than a comparable clean titled car (KBB doesn't ever value them) and insurance will likely pay you less for it if it's totaled again (how much so varies but somewhere around 40% less than a clean titled counterpart is a good guess plus credit for upgrades with receipts). Your insurance does not skyrocket, however. Keep in mind that none of this really matters if you paid a reasonable price for the car to begin with (say, 40% less than a comparable clean titled car), so should you total the car, you should get a fair cash out from the insurance company. I own a salvage/reconstructed car and just put comprehensive and liabilty on it since the car's not worth much anyway. But boy, it's the best car I've ever owned and it's been trouble-free!
Only buy salvage cars that are at least 8 years old since it doesn't take much to total/salvage an older car since they're not worth much. Now some states salvage theft recovery vehicles - these make excellent purchases but again, they are devalued in the market due the branded title so don't pay retail for them even though there may be no damage whatsoever.
First answer by Morbidhearts. Last edit by Tobeginwith. Contributor trust: 39 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 289 [recommend question]
- Insurance (in law, business)
- Title insurance in the United States
- Car in your moms name but she signed the title over to you now you want to sell?
- What do you do when you can't find the original title owner to a car?
- What if you are the salvage company looking for compensation for towing and storage?
- How old does a car got to be for you not to have a title for it?




