Mark Casto | May 30, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus, Georgia
If your vehicle has sustained significant damage, whether from a collision or other event, it may be deemed a total loss, and a salvage title issued. In most cases, the insurance company will take possession of the vehicle and issue payment in accordance with the policy terms and conditions.
If you are particularly attached to the vehicle, you may want to consider rebuilding it, but it is essential to understand what that entails to ensure it meets legal requirements.
What Renders a Vehicle a Salvage?
One of the most common reasons your vehicle may have a salvage title is that it was in a car accident. Other types of damages we may encounter in Columbus include damage from tornadoes or fire. When you take your vehicle to a body or repair shop, they will examine the vehicle and provide you with an estimate.
Many people believe that the car is totaled if the airbags deploy. While this may often occur in vehicles, a total loss is declared, and a salvage title is issued when the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds approximately 75% of its pre-accident market value.
You May Rebuild Your Salvage Vehicle in Georgia
You can get your car legal again, but to do so, the vehicle must be restored by a licensed auto body repair shop or a licensed rebuilder. Once the car is repaired and able to be driven, it must be inspected.
You may do this through a state or private inspector. If you use an approved private inspector, you may need to submit a T-22R Request for Inspection of Rebuilt Motor Vehicle along with the salvage title.
When your vehicle has passed inspection, you can apply for a rebuilt title, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Obtaining Your Rebuilt Title Requires Documentation of the Rebuild
When you apply for your new title, Georgia requires several pieces of information and evidence of the rebuild:
- Photos of the vehicle in salvage condition
- A completed and signed MV-1 Title/Tag Application
- The original salvage title that is properly assigned to the owner
- A completed T-129 form
- Receipts for new or used parts included in the vehicle rebuild or restoration that show the owner as the purchaser
- Part names and stock numbers
- Copy of the rebuilder’s license
If you used a parts vehicle to rebuild the salvage, that vehicle must have a title on file, or the parts vehicle title must be submitted along with the application. There is an $18 title fee that must be submitted with your application.
How Does Having a Salvage Title Affect Insurance?
When a vehicle is deemed salvage, you are unable to obtain vehicle insurance because it cannot be registered with a tag or license plate. However, once it has been fixed and a rebuilt title has been issued, you can obtain insurance to drive.
In many cases, you may be unable to get comprehensive or collision coverage. Still, you should be able to obtain the minimum required auto insurance policy:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death
- $50,000 for the total injuries and death of more than one person
- $25,000 property damage
You may be ineligible for some additional policies, and it may be difficult to find a policy that covers damages to your vehicle if you are at fault. We typically recommend that Georgia drivers shop around to find the most appropriate policy for their situation.
Failure to Properly Rebuild Your Salvage Vehicle Can Result in Additional Legal Troubles
If you choose to retain your salvage after an accident or purchase it to rebuild, it is crucial to ensure that you are legally rebuilding and completing the process. Failure to properly reapply for a rebuilt title can result in consequences more severe than just points on your license.
If you have questions about the process, consulting with an attorney may be beneficial.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
