Auto Insurance Claims/salvage total

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Expert: Charlie Barone - 5/7/2009


Question
what dows salvage total mean?

Answer
Karen,

The term salvage total refers to a vehicle's history of being damaged and written off as a total loss by an insurer. That is, the cost of repairing the vehicle has exceeded a percentage (typically 80%) of the car's former pre-loss value. Cars with a salvage total mark on their title records are typically worth substantially less (some say 50%)than those without the classification.

People usually avoid the purchase of such vehicles due to their inherent structural deficiencies and problems.

Charlie

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Charlie Barone

Expertise

For questions involving auto damage claims, collision repair, forensics, industry practices, we can help. We specialize in claims for loss of resale value (Diminished Value).

Experience

I have 30 years experience in the collision repair and body reconstruction field, both hands-on and from behind the desk. I hold a Master Certification from ASE in the Body and Paint category, as well as their certification in Estimating. I have authored over 120 feature and training articles for the largest trade journal devoted to the collision repair industry, and have given expert testimony in court dozens of times. Licensed physical damage appraiser in Pennsylvania and reciprocal states.

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