If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title.
Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in Florida until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured.
This page will cover the salvage title process in Florida, and provide you with tips on how to get a salvage vehicle back on the road.
For official information or questions about your specific situation, please contact your local Florida DMV office or visit the official DMV website:
What is a Salvage Title in Florida?
Like many other states, a salvage title in Florida means that the vehicle has been reported to the DMV to be a total loss, wrecked, or damaged to the point where it is no longer roadworthy.
In Florida, a total loss typically applies to the following situations:
- The vehicle is valued at $1,500 or more and the insurance company will replace it.
- The insurance company has agreed to pay for repairs, but repairs cost more than the value of the vehicle.
- Insurance will not cover repairs, and the cost of repairs is at least 80% of the car’s fair value.
Florida salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected.
How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in Florida
Once a salvage title has been issued, the vehicle will need to be repaired and inspected before it can be registered and driven again.
After passing the inspection, the vehicle will be issued a rebuilt title.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Schedule an inspection appointment for an inspection.
- Provide proof of ownership with the salvage certificate.
- Provide bills of sales and/or receipts for all major parts used in the repair.
- Provide before and after pictures of the repairs.
- Provide a copy of the insurance adjuster’s statement and repair estimates.
- Pay the $40 inspection fee.
- Complete an application for Certificate of Title (Form HSMV 82040): https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82040.pdf
- Provide the Statement of Builder (Form HSMV 84490): https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/84490.pdf
After passing the inspection and applying for the rebuilt title, you’ll receive a rebuilt vehicle decal that must be kept on the vehicle.
Register a Salvage Title Car in Florida
After the vehicle has been repaired and passed inspection, you’ll be able to re-register it.
To do so, visit your local county tax office:
- Complete a registration application.
- Provide proof of ownership.
- Submit any necessary salvage inspection documentation.
- Provide proof of insurance.
- Pay the registration fees and taxes.
Related Pages:
- What is a Salvage Title?
- What is a Rebuilt Title?
- Salvage Title Insurance
- Buying a Car with a Salvage Title
Next Steps
If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in Florida, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road.
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