{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1603.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1603.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1603.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1603.html"}],"law_id":61621,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61621,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603","catch_line":"Obtaining salvage certificate or certificate of title for an unrecovered stolen vehicle","history":"1979, c. 401, \u00a7 46.1-550.8; 1982, c. 671; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 148; 1993, c. 376; 2000, cc. 235, 257; 2009, c. 171; 2017, c. 277.","full_text":"A\n\nThe owner of any vehicle titled in the Commonwealth may declare such vehicle to be a salvage vehicle and apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate for that vehicle.B\n\nEvery insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate for each late model vehicle acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and is a salvage vehicle. Whenever the insurance company or its agent makes application for a salvage certificate and is unable to present a certificate of title, the Department may receive the application along with an affidavit indicating that the vehicle was acquired as the result of the claims process and describing the efforts made by the insurance company or its agent to obtain the certificate of title from the previous owner. When the Department is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the salvage certificate, it may issue a salvage certificate to the person entitled to it. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $25 for the expense of processing an application under this subsection that is accompanied by an affidavit. Such fee shall be in addition to any other fees required. All fees collected under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.C\n\nEvery insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a certificate of title for each stolen vehicle acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and has not been recovered at the time of application to the Department. For each recovered stolen vehicle, acquired as a result of the claims process, whose estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of its actual cash value, the insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate. The application shall be accompanied by the vehicle’s title certificate and shall contain a description of the damage to the salvage vehicle and an itemized estimate of the cost of repairs up to the point where a nonrepairable certificate would be issued. Application for the certificate of title shall be made within 15 days after payment has been made to the owner, lienholder, or both. Application for the salvage certificate shall be made within 15 days after the stolen vehicle is recovered.D\n\nEvery insurance company or its authorized agent shall notify the Department of each late model vehicle titled in the Commonwealth on which a claim for damage to the vehicle has been paid by the insurance company if (i) the estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of actual cash value of the vehicle and (ii) the vehicle is to be retained by its owner. No such notification shall be required for a vehicle when a supplemental claim has been paid for the cost of repairs to the engine, transmission, or drive axle assembly if such components are replaced by components of like kind and quality.E\n\nEvery owner of an uninsured or self-insured late model vehicle titled in the Commonwealth that sustains damage to such an extent that the estimated cost of repairs exceeds 75 percent of the actual cash value of the vehicle prior to being damaged shall similarly apply for and obtain a salvage certificate. If no estimated cost of repairs is available from an insurance company, the owner of the vehicle may provide an estimate from an independent appraisal firm. Any such estimate from an independent appraisal firm shall be verified by the Department in such a manner as may be provided for by Department regulations.F\n\nThe fee for issuance of the salvage certificate shall be $10. If a salvage vehicle is sold after a salvage certificate has been issued, the owner of the salvage vehicle shall make proper assignment to the purchaser.G\n\nThe Department, upon receipt of an application for a salvage certificate for a vehicle titled in the Commonwealth, or upon receipt of notification from an insurance company or its authorized agent as provided in subsection D of this section, shall cause the title of such vehicle to be cancelled and the appropriate certificate issued to the vehicle’s owner.H\n\nAll provisions of this Code applicable to a motor vehicle certificate of title shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a salvage certificate, except that no registration or license plates shall be issued for the vehicle described in the salvage certificate. A vehicle for which a salvage certificate has been issued may be retitled for use on the highways in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-1605.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":224968,"text":"The owner of any vehicle titled in the Commonwealth may declare such vehicle to be a salvage vehicle and apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate for that vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":224969,"text":"Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate for each late model vehicle acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and is a salvage vehicle. Whenever the insurance company or its agent makes application for a salvage certificate and is unable to present a certificate of title, the Department may receive the application along with an affidavit indicating that the vehicle was acquired as the result of the claims process and describing the efforts made by the insurance company or its agent to obtain the certificate of title from the previous owner. When the Department is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the salvage certificate, it may issue a salvage certificate to the person entitled to it. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $25 for the expense of processing an application under this subsection that is accompanied by an affidavit. Such fee shall be in addition to any other fees required. All fees collected under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":224970,"text":"Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a certificate of title for each stolen vehicle acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and has not been recovered at the time of application to the Department. For each recovered stolen vehicle, acquired as a result of the claims process, whose estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of its actual cash value, the insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department and obtain a salvage certificate. The application shall be accompanied by the vehicle’s title certificate and shall contain a description of the damage to the salvage vehicle and an itemized estimate of the cost of repairs up to the point where a nonrepairable certificate would be issued. Application for the certificate of title shall be made within 15 days after payment has been made to the owner, lienholder, or both. Application for the salvage certificate shall be made within 15 days after the stolen vehicle is recovered.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":224971,"text":"Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall notify the Department of each late model vehicle titled in the Commonwealth on which a claim for damage to the vehicle has been paid by the insurance company if (i) the estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of actual cash value of the vehicle and (ii) the vehicle is to be retained by its owner. No such notification shall be required for a vehicle when a supplemental claim has been paid for the cost of repairs to the engine, transmission, or drive axle assembly if such components are replaced by components of like kind and quality.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":224972,"text":"Every owner of an uninsured or self-insured late model vehicle titled in the Commonwealth that sustains damage to such an extent that the estimated cost of repairs exceeds 75 percent of the actual cash value of the vehicle prior to being damaged shall similarly apply for and obtain a salvage certificate. If no estimated cost of repairs is available from an insurance company, the owner of the vehicle may provide an estimate from an independent appraisal firm. Any such estimate from an independent appraisal firm shall be verified by the Department in such a manner as may be provided for by Department regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":224973,"text":"The fee for issuance of the salvage certificate shall be $10. If a salvage vehicle is sold after a salvage certificate has been issued, the owner of the salvage vehicle shall make proper assignment to the purchaser.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":224974,"text":"The Department, upon receipt of an application for a salvage certificate for a vehicle titled in the Commonwealth, or upon receipt of notification from an insurance company or its authorized agent as provided in subsection D of this section, shall cause the title of such vehicle to be cancelled and the appropriate certificate issued to the vehicle’s owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":224975,"text":"All provisions of this Code applicable to a motor vehicle certificate of title shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a salvage certificate, except that no registration or license plates shall be issued for the vehicle described in the salvage certificate. A vehicle for which a salvage certificate has been issued may be retitled for use on the highways in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-1605.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13677,"edition_id":1,"name":"Salvage, Nonrepairable, and Rebuilt Vehicles","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13355,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","permalink":{"id":231781,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13677,"identifier":"16","token":"46.2\/IV\/16","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13355,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dealers and Driver Training Schools","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":231065,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13355,"identifier":"IV","token":"46.2\/IV","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":58576,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1600","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-1600\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1600","metadata":false},{"id":58776,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601","catch_line":"Licensing of dealers of salvage vehicles; fees","url":"\/46.2-1601\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601","metadata":false},{"id":68846,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.1","catch_line":"Advertising and display of license; business hours","url":"\/46.2-1601.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.1","metadata":false},{"id":69351,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.2","catch_line":"Acts of officers, directors, and partners","url":"\/46.2-1601.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.2","metadata":false},{"id":82874,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.3","catch_line":"Grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses","url":"\/46.2-1601.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.3","metadata":false},{"id":85538,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602","catch_line":"Certain sales prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-1602\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602","metadata":false},{"id":65231,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.1","catch_line":"Duties of insurance companies upon acquiring certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1602.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.1","metadata":false},{"id":81945,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/46.2-1602.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.2","metadata":false},{"id":82091,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.3","catch_line":"Exception; vehicles sold for recycling parts, dismantling, demolishing, or utilizing for scrap","url":"\/46.2-1602.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.3","metadata":false},{"id":61621,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603","catch_line":"Obtaining salvage certificate or certificate of title for an unrecovered stolen vehicle","url":"\/46.2-1603\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603","metadata":false},{"id":69665,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603.1","catch_line":"Duties of licensees","url":"\/46.2-1603.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603.1","metadata":false},{"id":55704,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603.2","catch_line":"Owner may declare vehicle nonrepairable; insurance company required to obtain a nonrepairable certificate; applicability of certain other laws to nonrepairable certificates; titling and registration of nonrepairable vehicle prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1603.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603.2","metadata":false},{"id":59590,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1604","catch_line":"Rebuilders required to possess certificate of title or salvage certificate","url":"\/46.2-1604\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1604","metadata":false},{"id":56078,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1605","catch_line":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","url":"\/46.2-1605\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1605","metadata":false},{"id":54656,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1606","catch_line":"Certificates of title issued by other states; nonnegotiable titles","url":"\/46.2-1606\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1606","metadata":false},{"id":71773,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1607","catch_line":"Inspection of records and examination of inventory","url":"\/46.2-1607\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1607","metadata":false},{"id":60419,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608","catch_line":"Maintenance and contents of records","url":"\/46.2-1608\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608","metadata":false},{"id":67751,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608.1","catch_line":"Reports to police department; local ordinance; holding period; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1608.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608.1","metadata":false},{"id":77682,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608.2","catch_line":"Licensees to update records of the Department for motor vehicles that are to be demolished or dismantled","url":"\/46.2-1608.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608.2","metadata":false},{"id":76509,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1609","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/46.2-1609\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1609","metadata":false},{"id":73259,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1610","catch_line":"Disposition of fees","url":"\/46.2-1610\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1610","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82091,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.3","catch_line":"Exception; vehicles sold for recycling parts, dismantling, demolishing, or utilizing for scrap","url":"\/46.2-1602.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.3","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69665,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603.1","catch_line":"Duties of licensees","url":"\/46.2-1603.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1603\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 401 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1982, chapter 671; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1992, chapter 148; in 1993, chapter 376; in 2000, chapters 235<\/a> and 257<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 171<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 277<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":65231,"section_number":"46.2-1602.1","catch_line":"Duties of insurance companies upon acquiring certain vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1602.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56078,"section_number":"46.2-1605","catch_line":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1605\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231819,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61621,"identifier":"46.2-1603","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603","url":"\/46.2-1603\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1603\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603","dublin_core":{"Title":"Obtaining salvage certificate or certificate of title for an unrecovered stolen vehicle","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1603","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The owner<\/span> of any vehicle titled in the Commonwealth may declare such vehicle to be a salvage vehicle<\/span> and apply to the Department<\/span> and obtain a salvage certificate<\/span> for that vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every insurance company or its authorized agent<\/span> shall apply to the Department<\/span> and obtain a salvage certificate<\/span> for each late model vehicle<\/span> acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and is a salvage vehicle<\/span>. Whenever the insurance company or its agent<\/span> makes application for a salvage certificate<\/span> and is unable to present a certificate of title, the Department<\/span> may receive the application along with an affidavit<\/span> indicating that the vehicle was acquired as the result of the claims process and describing the efforts made by the insurance company or its agent<\/span> to obtain the certificate of title from the previous owner<\/span>. When the Department<\/span> is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the salvage certificate<\/span>, it may issue<\/span> a salvage certificate<\/span> to the person entitled to it. The Commissioner<\/span> may charge a fee of $25 for the expense of processing an application under this subsection that is accompanied by an affidavit<\/span>. Such fee shall be in addition to any other fees required. All fees collected under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Every insurance company or its authorized agent<\/span> shall apply to the Department<\/span> and obtain a certificate of title for each stolen vehicle acquired by the insurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled in the Commonwealth and has not been recovered at the time of application to the Department<\/span>. For each recovered stolen vehicle, acquired as a result of the claims process, whose estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of its actual cash value, the insurance company or its authorized agent<\/span> shall apply to the Department<\/span> and obtain a salvage certificate<\/span>. The application shall be accompanied by the vehicle’s title certificate and shall contain a description of the damage to the salvage vehicle<\/span> and an itemized estimate of the cost of repairs up to the point where a nonrepairable certificate<\/span> would be issued. Application for the certificate of title shall be made within 15 days after payment has been made to the owner<\/span>, lienholder, or both. Application for the salvage certificate<\/span> shall be made within 15 days after the stolen vehicle is recovered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Every insurance company or its authorized agent<\/span> shall notify the Department<\/span> of each late model vehicle<\/span> titled in the Commonwealth on which a claim for damage to the vehicle has been paid by the insurance company if (i) the estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of actual cash value of the vehicle and (ii) the vehicle is to be retained by its owner<\/span>. No such notification shall be required for a vehicle when a supplemental claim has been paid for the cost of repairs to the engine, transmission, or drive axle assembly if such components are replaced by components of like kind and quality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Every owner<\/span> of an uninsured or self-insured late model vehicle<\/span> titled in the Commonwealth that sustains<\/span> damage to such an extent that the estimated cost of repairs exceeds 75 percent of the actual cash value of the vehicle prior to being damaged shall similarly apply for and obtain a salvage certificate<\/span>. If no estimated cost of repairs is available from an insurance company, the owner<\/span> of the vehicle may provide an estimate from an independent appraisal firm<\/span>. Any such estimate from an independent appraisal firm<\/span> shall be verified by the Department<\/span> in such a manner as may be provided for by Department<\/span> regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The fee for issuance of the salvage certificate<\/span> shall be $10. If a salvage vehicle<\/span> is sold after a salvage certificate<\/span> has been issued, the owner<\/span> of the salvage vehicle<\/span> shall make proper assignment to the purchaser. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Department<\/span>, upon receipt of an application for a salvage certificate<\/span> for a vehicle titled in the Commonwealth, or upon receipt of notification from an insurance company or its authorized agent<\/span> as provided in subsection D of this section, shall cause the title of such vehicle to be cancelled and the appropriate certificate issued to the vehicle’s owner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> All provisions of this Code applicable to a motor vehicle<\/span> certificate of title shall apply, mutatis mutandis<\/span>, to a salvage certificate<\/span>, except that no registration or license plates<\/span> shall be issued for the vehicle described in the salvage certificate<\/span>. A vehicle for which a salvage certificate<\/span> has been issued may be retitled for use on the highways<\/span><\/span> in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-1605<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOBTAINING SALVAGE CERTIFICATE OR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR AN UNRECOVERED STOLEN\nVEHICLE (\u00a7 46.2-1603)\n\nA. The owner of any vehicle titled in the Commonwealth may declare such vehicle\nto be a salvage vehicle and apply to the Department and obtain a salvage\ncertificate for that vehicle.\n\nB. Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department\nand obtain a salvage certificate for each late model vehicle acquired by the\ninsurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled\nin the Commonwealth and is a salvage vehicle. Whenever the insurance company or\nits agent makes application for a salvage certificate and is unable to present a\ncertificate of title, the Department may receive the application along with an\naffidavit indicating that the vehicle was acquired as the result of the claims\nprocess and describing the efforts made by the insurance company or its agent to\nobtain the certificate of title from the previous owner. When the Department is\nsatisfied that the applicant is entitled to the salvage certificate, it may\nissue a salvage certificate to the person entitled to it. The Commissioner may\ncharge a fee of $25 for the expense of processing an application under this\nsubsection that is accompanied by an affidavit. Such fee shall be in addition to\nany other fees required. All fees collected under the provisions of this\nsubsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund\nto be used to meet the expenses of the Department.\n\nC. Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the Department\nand obtain a certificate of title for each stolen vehicle acquired by the\ninsurance company as the result of the claims process if such vehicle is titled\nin the Commonwealth and has not been recovered at the time of application to the\nDepartment. For each recovered stolen vehicle, acquired as a result of the\nclaims process, whose estimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of its actual\ncash value, the insurance company or its authorized agent shall apply to the\nDepartment and obtain a salvage certificate. The application shall be\naccompanied by the vehicle’s title certificate and shall contain a\ndescription of the damage to the salvage vehicle and an itemized estimate of the\ncost of repairs up to the point where a nonrepairable certificate would be\nissued. Application for the certificate of title shall be made within 15 days\nafter payment has been made to the owner, lienholder, or both. Application for\nthe salvage certificate shall be made within 15 days after the stolen vehicle is\nrecovered.\n\nD. Every insurance company or its authorized agent shall notify the Department\nof each late model vehicle titled in the Commonwealth on which a claim for\ndamage to the vehicle has been paid by the insurance company if (i) the\nestimated cost of repair exceeds 75 percent of actual cash value of the vehicle\nand (ii) the vehicle is to be retained by its owner. No such notification shall\nbe required for a vehicle when a supplemental claim has been paid for the cost\nof repairs to the engine, transmission, or drive axle assembly if such\ncomponents are replaced by components of like kind and quality.\n\nE. Every owner of an uninsured or self-insured late model vehicle titled in the\nCommonwealth that sustains damage to such an extent that the estimated cost of\nrepairs exceeds 75 percent of the actual cash value of the vehicle prior to\nbeing damaged shall similarly apply for and obtain a salvage certificate. If no\nestimated cost of repairs is available from an insurance company, the owner of\nthe vehicle may provide an estimate from an independent appraisal firm. Any such\nestimate from an independent appraisal firm shall be verified by the Department\nin such a manner as may be provided for by Department regulations.\n\nF. The fee for issuance of the salvage certificate shall be $10. If a salvage\nvehicle is sold after a salvage certificate has been issued, the owner of the\nsalvage vehicle shall make proper assignment to the purchaser.\n\nG. The Department, upon receipt of an application for a salvage certificate for\na vehicle titled in the Commonwealth, or upon receipt of notification from an\ninsurance company or its authorized agent as provided in subsection D of this\nsection, shall cause the title of such vehicle to be cancelled and the\nappropriate certificate issued to the vehicle’s owner.\n\nH. All provisions of this Code applicable to a motor vehicle certificate of\ntitle shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a salvage certificate, except that no\nregistration or license plates shall be issued for the vehicle described in the\nsalvage certificate. A vehicle for which a salvage certificate has been issued\nmay be retitled for use on the highways in accordance with the provisions of\n§ 46.2-1605.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 401, \u00a7 46.1-550.8; 1982, c. 671; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 148;\n1993, c. 376; 2000, cc. 235, 257; 2009, c. 171; 2017, c. 277.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}