Can You Get Full Coverage With a Salvage Title?

Usually, no—at least not as a normal on-road auto policy. “Full coverage” generally refers to a policy that includes state-required liability plus optional physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision). If a vehicle can’t be registered or legally driven, many insurers won’t write an on-road policy for it.

That said, there are edge cases. Some insurers may offer limited protection for a vehicle that’s being stored or transported (not driven), such as a comprehensive-only policy or a specialty product. Whether that’s possible depends on the insurer and your state’s titling/registration rules.

Title Status	Can It Be Registered for Road Use?	Insurance You Can Often Buy	What “Full Coverage” Typically Looks Like
Salvage title / salvage certificate	Usually no (until rebuilt/inspected and retitled)	Often none for on-road use; sometimes limited/specialty coverage for storage	Usually not available on a standard auto policy
Rebuilt / reconstructed / prior salvage	Usually yes (after required steps)	Liability is commonly available; comp/collision may be limited	Possible with some insurers, but underwriting is stricter
Clean title	Yes	Most standard policies and endorsements	Most insurers offer liability + comp + collision if you choose

Quick tip: Don’t assume “rebuilt” means “fully insurable.” Call the insurer before you buy the car (or before you start repairs) and ask what coverages they’ll consider once the title is rebuilt in your state.

What Is a Salvage Title?

A salvage title is a type of “brand” on a vehicle’s title record that generally signals the car was declared a total loss (or otherwise met a state’s salvage branding rules). “Branded title” is a broad category that can also include flood, rebuilt/reconstructed, odometer issues, and more.

Total loss rules vary: some states use a percentage-based threshold, others use a formula or different standards. Your state and your insurer’s claim process both matter—see our guide to total loss thresholds by state if you want the deeper details.

By contrast, a car with a clean title has no major “brand” attached to the title record.

How Salvage Titles Work

After a vehicle is branded as salvage, most states restrict registration and road use until the vehicle is properly repaired and retitled. Salvage vehicles are often sold through auctions, salvage yards, rebuilders, or sometimes retained by the owner after a total loss settlement.

Because the vehicle is treated as higher risk for safety, fraud, and valuation concerns, insurers typically consider salvage-title vehicles outside normal underwriting rules for personal auto insurance.

What Is a Rebuilt Title?

A rebuilt (or reconstructed) title generally means the vehicle was previously branded salvage, then repaired and cleared through your state’s required process so it can be titled and registered for road use again. The exact label and requirements vary by state, and the brand usually remains part of the vehicle’s record.

If you’re considering buying a rebuilt-title car, it’s smart to (1) get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic, (2) verify the title history, and (3) keep all repair paperwork for insurance and resale purposes.

What “Full Coverage” Means on Any Car

“Full coverage” isn’t a single official policy type. Most drivers use it to mean:

Liability insurance (required in most states) for injuries/property damage you cause, plus
Comprehensive coverage for non-collision losses (theft, vandalism, hail, animal hits, etc.), and
Collision coverage for damage to your car from a crash.

On salvage and rebuilt titles, the issue isn’t that “full coverage” is forbidden everywhere—it’s that many insurers either won’t offer it or will only offer it after extra underwriting steps (and sometimes only at renewal or with restrictions).

Why Insurers Rarely Offer Full Coverage on Salvage or Rebuilt Titles

Insurers price and approve coverage based on predictable risk and predictable claim settlement. Salvage and rebuilt titles complicate both.

Registration and road-use limits: If a vehicle can’t be registered for road use, insurers usually can’t write a standard policy the way they can for normal passenger vehicles.
Unknown repair quality: Even with inspections, insurers may worry about hidden structural issues, electrical problems, and incomplete repairs.
Harder valuation at claim time: When a title is branded, market value is often harder to pin down. That can lead to more disputes about actual cash value after a loss.
Higher fraud exposure: Branded titles are a common area for title-washing and documentation gaps, so underwriting scrutiny increases.

If you’re looking for carriers that are more willing to consider branded-title vehicles, start with our roundup of insurance options for salvage and rebuilt titles.

How to Get Insurance for a Rebuilt Salvage Title Car

Once your vehicle is legally retitled as rebuilt/reconstructed and registered, you can usually find liability coverage. Getting comprehensive and collision is the tougher part—but it’s sometimes possible with the right carrier and documentation.

Steps That Improve Your Chances

Confirm the exact title brand and status: “Salvage,” “rebuilt,” “prior salvage,” and “reconstructed” can mean different things across states. Make sure your title is in the “road-legal” category for your state.
Keep your documentation organized: Repair invoices, parts receipts, before/after photos, and inspection paperwork all help underwriters understand what was fixed.
Expect an inspection or photo review: Many insurers require photos or a vehicle inspection before adding comp/collision on higher-risk vehicles.
Be realistic about claim payouts: Even with full coverage, a branded title can affect valuation and settlement negotiations because comparable sales and condition are harder to verify.
Shop carefully: Some insurers won’t write comp/collision for rebuilt titles at all; others will consider it case-by-case. Independent agents can be helpful if you’re hitting dead ends.

Final Word on Full Coverage with a Salvage Title

You typically can’t get full coverage—or even a normal on-road auto policy—on a salvage-title vehicle because it usually can’t be registered or legally driven until it’s rebuilt and retitled.

However, once the car has a rebuilt/reconstructed title and is properly registered, you can often buy liability coverage, and you may be able to find comprehensive and collision with the right insurer and documentation. Rules and underwriting vary by state and company, so verify coverage availability before you buy a rebuilt-title vehicle or invest heavily in repairs.

Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Title branding and inspection requirements are set by your state’s motor vehicle agency, and insurance availability is set by each insurer’s underwriting guidelines.

FAQs on Full Coverage With a Salvage Title

Can you insure a car with a salvage title?

Usually not for normal on-road driving. In many states, a salvage-title vehicle can’t be registered for road use until it’s repaired, inspected, and retitled. Some insurers may offer limited coverage for a vehicle that’s stored or not being driven, but availability varies by company and state.

Can you get liability insurance on a salvage title?

Typically no, because liability coverage is designed for registered vehicles driven on public roads. Once the vehicle has a rebuilt/reconstructed title and is properly registered, many insurers will consider liability coverage.

Can you get comprehensive and collision on a rebuilt title?

Sometimes. Many insurers will offer liability on rebuilt/reconstructed titles, but comprehensive and collision may be restricted, require a vehicle inspection/photos, or be declined entirely depending on the insurer’s underwriting rules.

What paperwork do insurers usually ask for on a rebuilt-title car?

Common requests include photos of the vehicle, repair receipts/invoices, proof of any required state inspections, and sometimes a statement of repairs performed. Requirements vary, but more documentation generally improves your odds of approval for comp/collision.

Will a rebuilt title affect my claim payout?

It can. Even with full coverage, a branded title can make valuation more complicated because the market price and condition history are harder to compare. Your insurer will typically base payment on actual cash value (minus your deductible), subject to your policy terms.

Is it worth paying for full coverage on a rebuilt-title vehicle?

It depends on the car’s value, how much you could afford to lose, and the premium difference. If the vehicle’s market value is relatively low, the cost of comp/collision might not be worth it. If losing the vehicle would be a financial hardship, broader coverage may still make sense if you can find it.

How can I verify a car’s salvage or rebuilt history before I buy?

Start with the title itself, then consider ordering an NMVTIS-based vehicle history report and getting an independent mechanic inspection. Title branding and reporting can vary by state, so it’s smart to verify using multiple sources before purchasing.

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Can You Get Full Coverage With a Salvage Title?