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

• Decoding Salvage Titles: In-Depth Guide
• What Is the Vehicle Reconstruction Process?

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