Salvage title cars

A salvage title is often given to a car when fixing it up costs more than the car's actual value. This can happen after various incidents, such as accidents, floods, or hail damage. While cars with a salvage title might be more affordable, they often come with safety and repair concerns and can be hard to get insurance for.

There are a few common reasons a car might end up with a salvage title:

- The car has been declared a total loss by an insurance company after a significant damage incident.

- The cost to repair the vehicle is more than 80% of its total value, and the owner does not have insurance coverage.

- The car comes from another state with a salvage title already.

What Is a Salvage Car in FL?

In Florida, a car is considered a salvage vehicle, or a "total loss," under the following conditions:

- The car's value is $1,500 or more, and your insurance company compensates you to get a similar type and quality vehicle.

- Your insurance company is willing to pay for repairs, but the repair costs exceed 100% of the car's replacement cost.

- You lack car insurance, and the cost to repair or rebuild the car is 80% or more of its replacement value.

If you're unsure whether your car is classified as a salvage vehicle in Florida, you can reach out to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for guidance.

Vehicles can be considered total losses for many reasons, including flooding, fire, vandalism, theft, and other significant events like hail storms. The designation depends on how much it would cost to repair the damage.

Should you buy a salvage titles car?

It's a question that demands careful consideration. Cars with salvage titles can pose significant risks, especially if they haven't been adequately repaired or rebuilt. In many states, a car must obtain a rebuilt title and pass an inspection to confirm it's safe to drive again. However, even with these precautions, your safety could be compromised. For example, a car might look great on the outside but lack essential safety features like functional airbags, increasing the risk of injury in an accident.

Furthermore, even thoroughly rebuilt cars can have underlying issues. Extensive frame damage could result in misaligned doors or windows that don't seal correctly, leading to potential safety hazards and discomfort. Such vehicles often have compromised safety features, including malfunctioning or absent airbags.

Using vehicle history report services, such as Carfax or AutoCheck, can inform you if a car has a salvage history. Yet, salvage title vehicles come with significant drawbacks, including difficulties in obtaining auto insurance and a substantial decrease in resale value. If you consider trading in a salvage title car, be prepared for car dealerships to offer minimal value in return. Unless you're a skilled mechanic or have access to one, it's wise to avoid salvage title vehicles.

Insurance companies sometimes allow policyholders to retain their totaled vehicles, adjusting the payout based on the car's residual value. However, owners should be prepared for hefty repair bills to restore the car to a safe and drivable condition, all while bearing in mind that the vehicle's value remains significantly diminished due to its salvage status.

If owning or driving a salvage title vehicle makes you uncomfortable, consider selling it to us Junk Car Buyer1 by calling/texting 352-480-0111.

Simple Process

Step 1

Give us a call at 352-480-0111 and share some details about your car, like its condition, make, model, and whether you have the title and keys. Don't worry, we buy cars whether they have keys or a title, and whether they're running or not.

Step 2

After hearing our offer, you can decide whether to accept or decline it. If you accept, we'll schedule a FREE pickup appointment that fits your schedule, and we can usually do it on the same day.

Step 3

Relax while our driver heads your way with CASH in hand. And remember, there's no charge for the pickup – it's complimentary!