When your vehicle is deemed a complete loss, it indicates that the repair cost exceeds its worth, making it financially imprudent for the insurance company to restore it. But can you still drive it? While conceivable, certain precautions must be taken to ensure the car’s safety and legality.

What Does It Mean If a Car Is Declared a Total Loss?

Whenever an insurance company deems a vehicle a complete loss, it indicates that the expected repair costs surpass a specified percentage of the car’s actual cash value (ACV), often between 70 and 80 percent. Instead of fixing it, the insurance company usually compensates you for the ACV. However, this categorization poses an important question: can you still operate the vehicle?

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Can You Legally Drive a Totaled Car?

In most situations, the answer is no—at least not immediately. When an automobile is wrecked, it is usually given a salvage title, which indicates that it is no longer safe to drive. The vehicle would first need costly repairs and a fresh examination to re-certify as roadworthy to drive lawfully. Until then, a wrecked automobile was often prohibited from being driven by the public for safety and legal reasons.

What Is a Salvage Title?

Salvage title and rebuilt title are different terms. A salvage title is awarded when a vehicle is judged a complete loss. This title prohibits the car from being lawfully driven on public roads until repaired and re-inspected. However, following repairs, owners may occasionally request a rebuilt title, which indicates that the vehicle has passed a safety assessment and can lawfully return to the road.

Steps to Drive a Totaled Car Legally:

• Purchase Back the Vehicle: Some insurers enable owners to purchase back-wrecked vehicles at a discounted price. The insurance company deducts the salvage value from the settlement, letting you keep ownership.
• Repair the Car: Once you’ve retrieved the vehicle, you must make repairs to ensure it meets safety requirements. This might involve bodywork, mechanical modifications, or frame repairs.
• Obtain a Rebuilt Title: After repairs, your vehicle must pass a state inspection to receive a rebuilt title. This is a necessary step for re-registering the car and operating it lawfully.

Can You Get Insurance for a Car with a Salvage or Rebuilt Title?

You must have insurance coverage if you want to get around in your restored automobile. However, insuring an automobile with a salvage or rebuilt title might be difficult since some insurance companies only give limited coverage for these cars. Due to the vehicle’s prior destruction, numerous insurers only issue liability coverage, making comprehensive and collision coverage more difficult.

Is Driving a Totaled Car Worth It?

Choosing to maintain and repair a wrecked automobile is a personal choice that is often affected by the vehicle’s condition, emotional worth, or financial factors. However, it is critical to understand the expenses, state rules, and insurance constraints connected with driving a previously wrecked vehicle. In certain circumstances, purchasing a new car may be a safer and more simple choice.

Bottom Line:

It is essential to carefully consider all your choices before selecting whether or not to maintain and drive your vehicle after it has been declared a complete loss. To guarantee that you make an educated choice, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the legal requirements, the costs of repairs, and the availability of insurance. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and your insurance company before driving a vehicle that has been declared a complete loss.

FAQs:

1. What happens when your car is totaled but still drivable in Illinois?

Illinois law only allows you to retain a wrecked car if it has hail damage and may still be driven safely or if it is nine model years or older. If the insurance company acquires possession of your car, it will sell it as salvage.

1. What is the salvage value of a car?

A car’s salvage value is usually around 75% less than its market value. This is because it accounts for the cost of repairs and any possible harm that may have occurred.