Auto Insurance Companies That Accept Branded Titles

Branded or salvage titles are given to cars that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company. When the damage is too great to repair, salvaged vehicles are sold for parts.

However, if they can be repaired, they’ll be available for purchase.

Many people think buying a salvage car is too risky, but there are plenty of advantages to purchasing one. Simply make sure the vehicle is safe to drive and find salvage title insurance, and you’ll be ready to go. So are there auto insurance companies that accept branded titles?

You probably won’t get full coverage auto insurance, but most companies will offer at least liability coverage for a salvaged car.

However, auto insurance companies that accept branded titles can be tricky to find because insurance companies are often wary of salvaged cars.

If you’re ready to start shopping for branded title auto insurance, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to start seeing quotes.

Which auto insurance companies accept branded titles?

Branded title cars aren’t legal to drive on public streets, until repaired and issued a rebuilt title. So, can you get insurance on a salvage title? The answer is – not until the car is safe to drive.

The good news is that most major car insurance companies will offer at least liability once the car has been repaired and passed an inspection.

Affordable car insurance companies that accept branded titles include:

• Progressive
• Geico
• State Farm
• Allstate
• The Hartford
• Farmers
• USAA

Of course, there are car insurance companies that don’t accept branded titles. For example, Direct General and Esurance do not offer coverage on salvage or rebuilt titles.

Read more: Esurance Auto Insurance Review: What to Know

No matter the company you decide on, expect to pay higher rates. On average, insurance rates are 20% higher than insurance for clean title cars.

The price increase happens for several reasons, but it’s mainly so the insurance company can protect itself. Branded title cars are riskier to insure than clean cars for many reasons:

• Previous damage could have long-lasting, unforeseen consequences
• Factory warranties are usually voided
• They might require further repairs if the original repair was rushed to make a quick sale
• It’s hard to tell the difference between old and new damage if you have to make a claim

Most damage that causes a car to be a total loss comes from collisions. However, the damage can also come from vandalism, weather, theft, flooding, or fires.

What’s the difference between branded and rebuilt titles?

Insurance companies declare a car a total loss once the cost to repair it is more than it’s worth. The percentage varies by state, but it’s generally between 60 and 90% of the car’s value.

Once this happens, a car gets a salvage or branded title. Before you can get insurance on a salvaged car, it has to pass an inspection that verifies its street-safe.

Even after a vehicle passes this inspection, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion.

Each state has its own guidelines for what it takes to earn a rebuilt title, and some conditions are stricter than others.

One of the reasons it can be challenging to get insurance for a rebranded title is that the car’s value drops significantly. Since the vehicle is worth less, insurance companies will offer you less as well.

How to Get Branded Title Insurance

Getting insurance for a rebuilt title is a little more complicated than insurance for clean cars. First, you’ll have to figure out how to get a salvage title cleared. You can’t insure the vehicle if you’re not able to drive it.

Then, you’ll need some documentation:

• A certified mechanic’s statement: A mechanic’s statement is proof that a mechanic has picked through your car and hasn’t found anything dangerous. Not only does this make an insurance company more confident in insuring you, but it also lets you know your vehicle is safe.
• A photo catalog: Insurance companies will want photo documentation of what your vehicle looks like so that if you ever make a claim, they can compare the current state of your car to the photos.
• Original repair estimate: You should receive this when you buy the car, but ask the seller if you don’t. This gives the insurance company a better idea of the damage to your vehicle.

After you have what you need, make sure to shop around. Companies treat salvage title insurance applications on an individual basis. So you’ll find the best car insurance companies that accept branded titles quotes by getting as many as you can. (For more information, read our “Auto Insurance Companies That Accept Salvage Titles“).

Don’t Let Insurance Stop You From Buying a Salvaged Car

Salvaged cars are an excellent opportunity to buy a vehicle for a low price. While it takes a little extra work, getting insurance for your salvaged car is worth it.

Auto insurance companies that accept branded titles can offer you great quotes when shopping for car insurance. When you’re ready to see quotes, enter your ZIP code in our free tool.