You found a car you like, and the price fits your budget. Then you notice the title says “rebuilt salvage.”
Or maybe you already own the vehicle and have discovered that finding insurance isn’t as straightforward as you expected.
Yes, insurance may be available for a rebuilt title vehicle in Ohio. At Bucklew Insurance, we can consider eligible vehicles with rebuilt salvage or other branded titles for liability-only coverage. Acceptance depends on the vehicle, its title history and underwriting requirements.
Tell us about the title upfront so we can review the options that apply to your vehicle.
What’s the difference between a salvage title and a rebuilt title?
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they describe different stages in a vehicle’s history.
A salvage title identifies a vehicle with a salvage history. After repairs and the required process, a vehicle may qualify for a rebuilt salvage title. Ohio requires an inspection before a rebuilt salvage vehicle can be titled. The Ohio State Highway Patrol explains the inspection process.
“Branded title” is a broader term for a title carrying a notation about the vehicle’s history. Different brands can mean different things, so tell us exactly what you know about the title.
Completing the state’s title process and qualifying for insurance are separate matters. A rebuilt title doesn’t mean every insurance company will accept the vehicle or offer every type of coverage.
What does liability-only insurance cover?
For eligible rebuilt title vehicles, our option is liability-only coverage.
Liability insurance helps protect you financially when you’re responsible for an accident that injures someone else or damages their property, subject to your policy’s limits and terms. It does not include collision or comprehensive coverage for damage to your own vehicle.
For example, if you cause an accident that damages another driver’s car and your rebuilt vehicle, liability coverage may pay for the other driver’s covered damages. It would not pay to repair your own car.
Before choosing liability-only coverage, think about whether you could afford to repair or replace the vehicle yourself.
A lower purchase price can make a rebuilt vehicle appealing. You still need to understand how much of the financial risk you’re keeping.
Our guide to choosing auto liability limits in Ohio explains what those limits mean and what we recommend discussing.
Don’t hide the vehicle’s title history
If you know your vehicle has a branded or rebuilt salvage title, tell your agent when you request insurance. Leaving it out won’t change the vehicle’s history, but it could create problems when you need to file a claim.
Depending on the application, policy language and circumstances, misrepresenting the title history could lead to a coverage dispute, a denied claim or the policy being declared invalid. Ohio courts have upheld invalidating an auto policy for false application information under specific policy wording. That does not mean every undisclosed title brand automatically results in a denied claim.
Getting an insurance card doesn’t necessarily mean the company has reviewed and accepted the title history.
If you already have insurance and aren’t sure whether the company knows about the title, contact your agent and ask them to review it. You want that conversation before an accident happens.
A simple question is enough to get started:
“This vehicle has a rebuilt salvage title. Does your company accept it, and what coverage is available?”
Could a rebuilt title affect a claim payment?
If a policy includes coverage for damage to the vehicle, its title history and prior damage may affect its value and the amount payable after a covered loss. You shouldn’t assume a rebuilt vehicle will be valued the same as a comparable vehicle with a clean title.
That’s a separate issue from whether the insurer accepted the vehicle in the first place. Both are questions to discuss before buying coverage.
The rebuilt title coverage we offer is liability-only. It does not include collision or comprehensive coverage to repair or replace your vehicle.
Check insurance before buying the car
If you’re still shopping, checking insurance availability before you commit can save you frustration.
Make sure you understand:
- Whether the vehicle is eligible for insurance.
- Which coverages are available.
- What damage to your own vehicle you would need to pay for yourself.
- Whether the available coverage satisfies any financing requirements.
If you’re borrowing money to buy the car, ask the lender what insurance it requires. Don’t assume a liability-only policy will meet those requirements.
Getting insurance is also separate from evaluating the vehicle’s condition. Have a qualified mechanic inspect a vehicle you’re considering purchasing.
How do you get started with Bucklew Insurance?
Tell us about the vehicle and its title history. Have the VIN handy so we can review the specific vehicle rather than give you a general answer.
You don’t need to send us a copy of the title to start the conversation, and having current insurance isn’t a requirement to request a quote.
Already have insurance? Canopy Connect is our preferred way to get started. It lets you share your current policy information without typing out all those details. That gives us a useful starting point for your quote.
Sharing your current policy does not replace telling us about the vehicle’s branded or rebuilt title. Make sure we know about that too.
Canopy Connect opens in a new tab.
If you don’t have a current policy to share, or would rather answer a few questions, you can start a quote request or call (937) 550-9596.
We’ll review whether liability-only coverage is available and explain what it would and would not protect. You can ask questions and decide whether it fits your situation.
Visit our auto insurance page for more about working with Dan and Tiffani.
Coverage availability, eligibility, limits and exclusions depend on the vehicle, insurer and policy terms. A quote request or sharing policy information does not put coverage in place.