Best Auto Insurance Companies That Take Salvage Titles (2024)

Do you have a salvage or rebuilt title on your vehicle? If so, you’re probably wondering whether the title is one of the factors that affect auto insurance rates.

You may have some other questions as well. Can you get insurance on a salvage title? What is rebuilt title insurance? What insurance companies cover rebuilt titles?

Read this article for everything you need to know about auto insurance companies that take salvage titles.

Before we get started on this overview of auto insurance companies that cover vehicles with a salvage title, why not take a minute to enter your ZIP code in our tool to get a free quote on auto insurance from a company in your area right now?

Can you insure a vehicle with a salvage or rebuilt title, and if so, which auto insurance companies offer coverage?

Finding insurance for a vehicle with a salvage title is difficult because cars with a salvage title generally aren’t drivable, so you’re more likely to find auto insurance companies that don’t take salvage titles.

Even getting insurance with a rebuilt title may be more complicated than you’re expecting because vehicles that have been rebuilt are a higher risk to insurance companies. Why? Often, rebuilt vehicles have persistent issues that result in other problems or regularly need repair.

If you do identify an insurance company that offers coverage, you may find you’re only able to get liability insurance for your rebuilt vehicle. This will ensure you meet the auto insurance laws in your state for minimum coverage but may not provide you with the level of protection you want.

It’s for this reason that you should proceed with caution if you’re considering buying a vehicle with a rebuilt title.

If you are looking for coverage for a vehicle with a rebuilt title, companies that may sell you insurance include:

• Farmers
• Nationwide
• Root
• State Farm
• USAA

Keep reading for tips on how to find the best auto insurance for your rebuilt title vehicle.

Tips for Getting Rebuilt Title Auto Insurance

The first step in finding rebuilt title auto insurance is to shop around. You may need to speak with more than one auto insurance company before finding one (or a few) that offer coverage for vehicles with rebuilt titles.

You’ll want to find a few options so you can compare quotes because some companies may charge you an additional fee to insure your rebuilt title vehicle.

Once you’ve found the insurance company you’d like to buy coverage from, you’ll need to be prepared to provide some documentation, including:

• A certified mechanic’s statement – this proves your rebuilt vehicle has passed an inspection for safety and roadworthiness
• Photos of your vehicle – this provides insurance companies with a record of the current state of your car so that if you file a claim (after buying full coverage), companies can more accurately determine the value of the claim and differentiate between old and new damage
• Proof your vehicle was rebuilt – you can most easily achieve this by providing the original repair estimate, as it will include a list of the damages and repairs completed to rebuild your vehicle

Having this documentation ready when you speak to the insurance company will make procuring coverage much easier.

What are salvage and rebuilt titles, and what’s the difference?

A salvage title is given to a vehicle after an insurance company has declared it totaled (i.e., the cost to repair the car compared to its value means it isn’t worth fixing).

This may vary depending on your state’s laws and how your insurance company calculates the total loss. In some cases, it means the cost of repairs is greater than the value of the vehicle, while in other cases, it may mean that the cost of repairs is between 51 and 80% of the value of the car.

Typically, after the insurance company has determined your vehicle is a total loss, you’ll receive a payout equal to the value of your car before the accident, less your deductible. At that point, the vehicle is typically issued a salvage title by the local motor vehicle department (MVD).

If you want to drive it again, you’ll need to get it repaired and inspected.
Once your vehicle is repaired and passes inspection, you can apply for a “rebuilt” title through your MVD, but there is a permanent record of the previous salvage title.

States may have differing requirements regarding how vehicles are labeled. For example, in New Mexico, even if the salvage vehicle is repaired and resold, salvage remains on the vehicle title (rather than being rebranded rebuilt).

Whether you live in California, Texas, Michigan, or any other state, it’s a good idea to find out whether there are specific laws regarding how a vehicle is titled after it has been totaled and repaired.

Auto Insurance Companies That Take Salvage Titles: The Bottom Line

You won’t find many (if any) auto insurance companies that take salvage titles because vehicles with a salvage title generally aren’t drivable.

However, if your salvage title has been deemed unnecessary and you’ve successfully obtained a rebuilt title, you will be able to buy coverage, but be prepared to do a little work.

Before selling you a full coverage policy, most insurance companies expect documentation that proves your vehicle has been repaired and is roadworthy.

While most auto insurance companies don’t take vehicles with a salvage title, if you have a car with a rebuilt title (and even if you don’t), it’s always a good idea to comparison shop to ensure you’re getting the best rates.

Enter your ZIP code in the tool on this page to get a free quote for salvage title insurance and get started today.