Do I Need To Notify the DMV if My Car is Totaled

On March 6, 2024
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Author - Steve Momot

Let’s talk about what you need to do if your car gets totaled. It’s a bummer, I know, but it’s important to handle the paperwork correctly to avoid any headaches down the road.

Simple answer: Yes, you are usually required to notify the DMV if your car is declared a total loss or “totaled” by your insurance company after an accident.

Here are some key points for notifying the DMV about a totaled vehicle:

Question	Answer
Do I need to notify the DMV if my car is totaled?	Yes, you typically need to notify the DMV when your car is declared a total loss.
Who is responsible for notifying the DMV?	The insurance company is primarily responsible for notifying the DMV, but you may also have some responsibilities as the vehicle owner.
What is the insurance company’s role?	– Notify the DMV that the vehicle is a “total loss” or “salvage”- Surrender the title to the DMV- Usually has a timeframe of 10-30 days to notify the DMV
What are my potential responsibilities as the owner?	– Submit an application for a Salvage Certificate or Non-Repairable Vehicle Certificate- Surrender the vehicle’s license plates within a set timeframe (e.g., 10 days)- Pay a Salvage Certificate fee
What happens if I want to keep my totaled car?	– You still need to notify the DMV and follow salvage title procedures- The insurance company will deduct the salvage value from your payout<br>- The vehicle will be branded with a Salvage Certificate or Rebuilt title, affecting its future value
What are the consequences of not notifying the DMV?	– Fines and penalties- Ineligibility for your insurance settlement<br>- Difficulties re-registering the vehicle later

Key Points For Notifying The DMV About a Totaled Car

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The Insurance Company’s Role

The insurance company will usually handle notifying the DMV that your vehicle is now considered “salvage” or a “total loss,” and they’ll send the title over to the DMV. This usually happens within a certain timeframe, depending on where you live:

State	Timeframe
Most states	10-30 days

Your Responsibilities as the Owner

Even though the insurance company is doing its part, you might still have some responsibilities as the owner of the vehicle.

It varies by state, so you’ll want to check with your local DMV to see what’s required. Common things you might need to do include:

Filling out an application for a Salvage Certificate or Non-Repairable Vehicle Certificate
Turning in your license plates within a set time, usually around 10 days
Paying a fee for the Salvage Certificate

What If You Want to Keep Your Totaled Car?

Now, let’s say you decide you want to keep your totaled car for some reason.

That’s totally fine, but you still need to go through the process of notifying the DMV and following their salvage title procedures. Keep in mind:

The insurance company will subtract the salvage value of the vehicle from your payout if you keep it.
Once you get that Salvage Certificate or Rebuilt title, it’ll be like a permanent “brand” on the vehicle that affects its value if you ever try to sell it.

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Requirements To Notify DMV if Your Car is Totaled in Your State

Here are the requirements for notifying the DMV after a car has been declared a total loss in Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, and Georgia:

Florida

When a car is deemed a total loss (cost to repair is 80% or more of its actual cash value), the insurance company is responsible for notifying the DMV within 72 hours if they are replacing the vehicle.
If the owner is keeping the totaled vehicle, they must apply for a salvage title within 72 hours of the car being declared a total loss.

California

If the insurance company declares the vehicle a total loss, they are responsible for applying for a Salvage Certificate within 10 days of the settlement if they are keeping the vehicle.
If the owner is keeping the totaled vehicle and not receiving an insurance settlement, they are responsible for applying for the Salvage Certificate.
To apply, submit a completed REG 488C form, proof of ownership, and applicable fees to the DMV.

Texas

After a vehicle is declared a total loss, it will be issued a salvage title by the DMV.
If the owner wants to keep and repair the vehicle, they must notify the insurance company. The salvage value will be deducted from their settlement.
After repairs, the owner must get a new title from the Texas DMV before the vehicle can be driven again.

Illinois

Usually the totaled vehicle is taken by the insurance company, who notifies the DMV that it has been declared a total loss.
Depending on the state, the vehicle will then be branded with a “Salvage” title.
If the owner wants to keep the vehicle, the insurance company may allow it, but will deduct the salvage value from the settlement amount.

Georgia

When an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss and keeps it, they must apply for a salvage title within 30 days of the settlement.
The insurance company must submit to the DMV a completed MV-1S form, the original title, and pay an $18 fee.
If the owner keeps the license plate, they can transfer it to another vehicle. If not, the plate must be surrendered to the County Tag Office for cancellation.
The vehicle cannot be driven until it passes inspection and receives a rebuilt title.

The Bottom Line

The main thing to remember is that you don’t want to slack off on notifying the DMV that your car was totaled. If you do, you could face:

Fines
Penalties
Trouble getting your insurance money
Difficulty re-registering the car later on

It’s a pain, I know, but trust me, it’s worth doing it right the first time.

So, to sum it up – your insurance company will usually handle the bulk of notifying the DMV when your car is totaled, but you’ll likely have some paperwork to fill out and submit, too. The specifics depend on your state, so be sure to check with your DMV for the details. Stay on top of it, and you’ll be good to go!

Sources For My Article

Steve Momot - Author

Steve, a seasoned expert in the automotive industry, formerly held a car dealer license in Florida. With extensive experience spanning across car trading and mechanical work, he founded Autohitch. His mission? To guide both buyers and sellers through the intricate maze of car purchasing, ensuring a seamless and informed experience. Outside of the automotive world, Steve has a passion for fishing and capturing the beauty of nature through photography.