Learn how to report a salvaged vehicle and options for salvaged vehicles.
Before you get started
What is a salvaged vehicle?
A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that:
- Is damaged to the extent that it's declared a total loss
- 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.
Processing times
It may take 7-10 business days for processing after receiving your documents. Requests with incomplete information may take longer to process.
If you have not received an update within 30 days, please contact us at 360-902-3900.
How to report a salvaged vehicle
If your vehicle is destroyed or declared a total loss, you or your insurance company must report that the vehicle has been declared salvaged 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:
Department of Licensing
Wreckers
PO Box 9038
Olympia, WA 98501
For more details about reporting a salvage vehicle, see RCW 46.12.600
Options for salvaged 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 Destroyed Vehicle Information.
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 $11,780 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 of an owner-retained vehicle you need to provide:
- A 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