Salvaged vehicles

What is a salvage vehicle?

A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that:

• Has been damaged to the extent that it has been declared a total loss.
• and
• The vehicle's registered or legal owner, insurance company, or another person acting on behalf of the owner has determined it wouldn't be economical to repair.

For a complete definition, see RCW 46.04.514.

How to report a salvage vehicle

If your vehicle is destroyed or declared a total loss, either you or your insurance company must report that the vehicle has been declared salvage and surrender the title to us.

• The registered or legal owner must surrender the title within 15 days of the vehicle's destruction.
• The insurance company must surrender the title within 15 days of settlement of the claim.

To report a salvage vehicle and surrender the title to us, write "Destroyed" and the date the vehicle was salvaged across the face of the title and mail it to us at:

For more details about reporting a salvage vehicle, see RCW 46.12.600

Options for salvage vehicle owners

If your vehicle is declared a total loss, you may:

• Sell the vehicle to a new owner (include the Notice of Cancellation letter and a notarized bill of sale).
• Keep the vehicle and repair it.
• Keep the vehicle without repairing it.
• Use the vehicle for parts.

To learn more about each of these options, see Insurance Destroyed Vehicle Options.

Frequently asked questions

Can a vehicle that is declared salvage still be legally driven?

No. The vehicle can't legally be driven or parked on public highways or roads until a new title has been issued.

Will I receive a rebuilt brand on the car if I salvage it?

If we reissue a title on the car, it may be branded as "WA REBUILT" if it:

• Is 5 years old or newer.
• or
• Meets the "market value threshold" criteria:
  • It's 6-20 years old.
  • It's a passenger vehicle, light-duty truck, or sport utility vehicle (SUV).
  • and
  • It had a retail value of $7,880 or more before being destroyed, damaged, wrecked, or declared a total loss.

What do I need for a Release of Interest?

Before we can remove the legal owner an owner-retained vehicle you need to provide:

• notarized Release of Interest/Power of Attorney
• one of the following:
  • notarized statement
  • receipt from the legal owner that the debt is satisfied
  • canceled check stating the debt was paid in full

Related information

• Abandoned vehicles
• Contaminated property
• Titles

Questions? Need help?

Email us: CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov