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A salvage title car is an official indication that a vehicle has been damaged and is considered a total loss by an insurance company that paid out on a damaged vehicle claim.

California salvage title laws allow a salvage or junk car to be retitled once it has been restored or rebuilt to operational condition. Although the repairs needed to rebuild a salvage vehicle may be costly, once that has been done and a Revived Title is received, an owner can look around for insurance.

19.070 Revived Salvage—New or Nonresident (CVC §11519) A vehicle never registered in California (such as a new or nonresident) and reported as salvaged can be registered in California. The inspection fee for a revived junk or salvage vehicle application must be paid prior to the vehicle inspection/verification.

Yes, you can sell a salvage title car, so long as the buyer knows that the vehicle has a salvage title. The best way to sell a salvage vehicle is to list it online for private buyers to make an offer.

While you can't clear the salvage title, California allows you to earn a rebuilt title to prove your car is a “revived salvage vehicle.” While you might think you're in the clear when you have a rebuilt title, it can still be difficult to get insured.

Insurance and Salvage Titles in California A vehicle that's still titled as a salvaged vehicle cannot be insured, because it's not legally considered safe to drive.

Reregistration—A nonrepairable vehicle cannot be titled or reregistered subsequent to issuance of the nonrepairable vehicle certificate. Transfer of Ownership—Ownership of a vehicle declared to be nonrepairable may be transferred only twice on the nonrepairable vehicle certificate. No subsequent certificate is issued.

Salvage title vehicles cannot be legally driven or insured, but there is a process for returning them to working order so that they can be driven and insured again. This process is known as rebuilding or restoring a title.

California can require a smog check and brake-and-lamp inspection if a vehicle becomes titled salvaged.