Depends completely on the state. Here in WI (same thing in MI), there are two completely separate meanings of "total". An insurance company can declare a vehicle a "total" loss based on what it would cost them to repair it, vs. what it would cost them just to pay off the insured. But that's an expression of the _monetary_ damage. That has nothing to do with whether the vehicle is safe to drive. They're not allowed to make that determination.

They _might_ report to the DMV (or Secretary of State, in the case of MI) that the _physical_ damage (separate from the _monetary_ extent of the damage) is such that the vehicle cannot be made safe to drive, and the state _might_ then consider it a "total" and convert it to a salvage title. But twice now, once in MI and once in WI, I've had crashes with damage exceeding the value of the vehicle. In both cases, it was nothing structural. In both cases, I "bought back" the car, meaning I kept the car, and the insurance company just sent me a check for the blue book value, minus the scrap value which they would have gotten for it. At no time did the title even leave my file drawer. (Geez, where _is_ the title to the Saturn?..... )

If you live in a state that has safety inspections, the crash report will probably show up as a flag at inspection time, and they'll probably scrutinize the vehicle more closely, esp. structurally, and could then declare a salvage title.

 

Exactly, so DON'T let the DMV brand the title for a little wrinkle in the rocker panel!

 

lol chase, Rockers fine!!! haha totally missed it, and the door folded up past it! But im trying my best to not have it totaled. I'll know more tomorrow. Just emailed her a pretty mean email. So we shall see!

 

well reached a settlement....$9,200 and the truck...Already bought a door and fender. Off to the body shop this week. Time for another build thread. Thinking some sort of two tone, and a cowl hood....Stage 2's and a turbo. Cant decide on colors....red and white or blue and white..

 

What color is the interior? If it's gray or blue, I'd go blue-white-blue for the two-tone. If it's tan, I'd go with red-white-red.

Is that edge of the left front wheel damaged? Right around where the "G" in General is?

 

I think you did OK Kris! In case you haven't seen it, I like my new two tone dually! Good luck with it!

 

Yup, front rims junk also...And interior is grey.

 

Wow, so clean! Wheres the other rig?

 

I still got it, it will be hauling water in South Dakota because our well there is going dry. Its still to good of a truck to get rid of.

 

So did they total it or does it still have a clean title?

 

They said the trucks too old to carry a totaled title...If I sell it I have to state its been in an accident...Doesn't make much sense. But oh well.

 

Who is going to be checking to make sure you tell about an accident? Oh well most vehicles that age have been in at least one accident. I am glad you were able to resolve and settle the details and got the deal that would work for you, now you can build it better and stronger than it was.

 

Might not make any sense but that's awesome... thank goodness for an insurance person who obviously doesn't know diddly squat.

 

Actually, the insurance agent probably knows that in most states, insurance companies can't alter titles. Only the owner and the state can determine the status of the title (the title is, in effect, a contract between the owner and the state).

 

But the INSURANCE company has to declare the vehicle a total loss, then the STATE rescinds or alters the title. The insurance adjuster in this case is obviously a complete retard because there is no age limit to be able to declare a vehicle a total loss... at least not that I've ever heard of. Is it really necessary to bust someone's ***** over the minor details???