A salvaged vehicle is what they call a car when an insurance company claims it is too wrecked to fix. A car is generally declared salvaged when fixing the vehicle costs more than what it is worth after a major incident like a car accident, theft, fire, or flood. In this blog, we will discuss whether it is worth buying a car with a salvage title. If you suffer injuries in a collision caused by a dangerous vehicle, speak to an auto accident attorney in Portland about your case.
Should You Buy A Car With A Salvage Title?
A car title normally just describes who legally owns a vehicle. If you fully own your car and don’t owe any money on it, the vehicle’s title should be in your name. But if a car has a salvage title, it means it’s been badly damaged and the insurance company is not willing to cover the cost of repairs.
Most of the time there are major risks when buying a car with a salvage title but in some cases, it may be a smart purchase. Before deciding if it’s a good idea to buy a specific vehicle, you’ll need to check the car’s history. For instance, imagine you’re thinking about buying a car. It’s had two owners, no accidents, and it’s been well looked after. But then, it got caught in a hailstorm at the dealership, and even though nothing was wrong apart from that, it was declared too damaged to fix. If you’re okay with a few superficial dents, this car could theoretically save you money and still run well.
Is it Possible to Get Insurance for a Car with a Salvage Title?
If you have a car with a salvage title, most states will not allow you to legally drive it on public roads. That means you probably won’t be able to get insurance for the vehicle unless you fix it up and it passes safety tests. In most cases, this is known as a “rebuilt” car. But even if you do that, some insurance companies may not offer coverage or it will be extremely expensive.
If a company does agree to provide insurance coverage, it may only coverage damages to other vehicles and not the car you are driving. Be sure to research insurance policies carefully to understand what coverages you would likely be eligible for with a salvages or rebuilt car.
The Pros and Cons of Buying A Car With A Salvage Title
Are you planning to buy a car with a salvage title? Let’s discuss the pros and cons associated with the decision.
Pros
- Buying a salvage-title car can save you money. Salvage cars usually cost between 20% to 40% less than a regular price vehicle. This means you could get a good deal, compared to buying a car with a clean title.
- Sometimes, salvage-title cars have only minor damage or were never in a big accident. For example, you might find one that was stolen but recovered before any serious damage occurred. Even if it needs a bit of fixing it can be cheaper than buying a different car.
- Salvage-title cars can be a good source for rare or expensive parts if you’re fixing up another car. You might find the parts you need in a salvage-title car for a lower price than buying them new.
Cons
- Salvage-title cars might have hidden damage or be unsafe to drive. It’s hard to tell how much damage there is just by looking at it, so you might end up spending more on repairs than expected. Plus, some repair shops might not do a good job with crucial repairs, which could put your safety at risk.
- There’s a risk of fraud, as some sellers might not be honest about why the car got a salvage title. If you buy a salvaged vehicle and find out later it needs a lot of fixing, you might not have many options to get your money back.
- It’s often hard to get insurance or a loan for a salvage-title car. Many insurance companies offer limited coverage or none at all, for these cars. And banks or credit unions also might not be willing to give you a loan to buy one.
Conclusion
Buying a car with a salvage title might seem like a good way to save money, but it can be risky. Before you decide to buy one, be sure to do your homework. Find out why it has a salvage title and what fixes it needs to be safe to use.
