Flag_of_Alabama.svg
An official website of the Alabama State government.
Here's how you know

The .gov means it's official

Government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on an official government site.

The site is secure

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

  • Homepage
  • >
  • What is a salvage vehicle (total loss)?
View All General - Vehicle Inspections, Salvage vehicles and rebult vehicle inspections FAQs

What is a salvage vehicle (total loss)?

A salvage vehicle (total loss) occurs when an insurance company or any other person pays or makes other monetary settlement to a person when a vehicle is damaged and the damage to the vehicle is greater than or equal to 75 percent of the fair retail value of the vehicle prior to damage as set forth in a current edition of a nationally recognized compilation of retail values, including automated data bases.

A salvage vehicle (total loss) occurs when an insurance company or any other person pays or makes other monetary settlement to a person when a vehicle is damaged and the damage to the vehicle is greater than or equal to 75 percent of the fair retail value of the vehicle prior to damage as set forth in a current edition of a nationally recognized compilation of retail values, including automated data bases.
Related FAQs in General - Vehicle Inspections, Salvage vehicles and rebult vehicle inspections
A salvage vehicle (total loss) occurs when an insurance company or any other person pays or makes other monetary settlement to a person when a vehicle is damaged and the damage to the vehicle is greater than or equal to 75 percent of the fair retail value of the vehicle prior to damage as set forth in a current edition of a nationally recognized compilation of retail values, including automated data bases.
A salvage vehicle cannot be registered or operated on the highways or other public places of this state until a rebuilt title has been issued for the vehicle.

You may apply for a master dealer license electronically by visiting the Alabama Partner Registration available through MyDMV. Upon completion of the application, the required documents must be uploaded in the MV license system.

No, these brands indicate the motor vehicle cannot be rebuilt and are basically only good for selling the parts.
Yes, Section 32-8-87(k), Code of Alabama 1975, requires every salvage vehicle to be restored in this state to its operating condition which existed prior to the event which caused the salvage certificate of title to issue.

You may track the status of your application by visiting https://mydmv.revenue.alabama.gov/TAP/?link=AppStatus.