Vehicle Total Loss Buy Back May 2026

When a car is totaled, the insurance company typically takes possession of the vehicle and sells it at a salvage auction. However, you often have the right of first refusal to keep the car.

Do you have a or repair estimate you'd like to run the numbers on?

: Hidden structural or electrical damage may remain even after repairs. The "Rebuilt" Process vehicle total loss buy back

: Fix the vehicle to meet state safety standards.

To legally drive the car again, you typically cannot stop at a salvage title. You must: When a car is totaled, the insurance company

: You can use the car as a "parts car" for a matching vehicle.

: Tell your insurance company immediately that you are interested in keeping the vehicle. : Hidden structural or electrical damage may remain

—often called a "salvage buyback"—is a process where you keep your car after an insurance company declares it a total loss, usually in exchange for a reduced payout. How a Vehicle Buyback Works