What does a Salvage Certificate title mean?

A Salvage Certificate and a Salvage Title are both issued for vehicles declared a total loss by an insurance company—but they serve slightly different functions depending on the state.

Salvage Certificate

  • A Salvage Certificate is a document issued to the vehicle owner or insurance company, confirming the vehicle’s salvage status.
  • Vehicles with a salvage certificate cannot be registered or driven until they undergo repairs and pass an inspection.

Salvage Title

  • A Salvage Title is issued by the state DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to officially indicate that a vehicle has been deemed a total loss.
  • The vehicle must be repaired and inspected before becoming eligible for a Rebuilt Title and legal road use.

What Happens Next?

  • In both situations, the vehicle must go through a state-regulated reconstruction process, which includes:
    • Completing necessary repairs
    • Passing an enhanced safety inspection
  • After the inspection is approved, a Rebuilt Title (or equivalent) is issued, allowing the vehicle to be registered and legally driven.

See Also

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Updated: May 20, 2025, 3:57 PM  

May 20, 2025   3066   RideSafely    Documentation  
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