<VV> Re: Titles on totals

[Frank DuVal]

Bill and others:

The titleing laws for totals apply only when the insurance company holds 
title to the car, i.e. owns the car, and then it is usually sold at 
auction when there is full disclosure. If you do not sell the totaled 
car to the insurance company, then they cannot mark the title as 
salvage, rebuilt, whatever. When you "buy back" the car by having the 
salvage value deducted from the claim check, this is not buying the car, 
as title has never changed hands. In these cases, the car is not 
considered a total loss because of mechanical difficulties in repair, 
just maxed out on value of the car. I have repaired many a "buy back" 
for customers that just wanted their car back on the road instead of 
buying an unknown  cheap replacement car.  There may be state laws that 
differ.


Frank DuVal