Salvaged Vehicles

In Nebraska, late-model vehicles that have been damaged or destroyed are known as salvage vehicles if the total cost of repair is estimated to be more than 75% of the retail value of the vehicle.

Insurance companies often receive salvage vehicles after paying settlements for serious motor vehicle accidents. A driver may also voluntarily obtain a salvage branded Certificate of Title for his/her vehicle by paying a $10 fee and submitting a completed Application for Certificate of Title to the proper county official.

Nebraska's salvage regulations for motorboats, minibikes, and ATVs are slightly different than the requirements for other types of motor vehicles. Please see the Motorboat Salvage Titles and Salvage ATV and Minibike Titles articles on the Nebraska DMV Web site for additional information about salvage title procedures for these types of vehicles.

How do I Get a Title for a Repaired Salvaged Vehicle?

If you have the time and the skill to complete the necessary repairs, restoring a salvaged vehicle can be a great bargain. However, you will need to have a Nebraska DMV representative perform a vehicle inspection before a new title can be issued for your repaired salvaged vehicle.

If your vehicle meets the necessary requirements, you'll receive a title stamped with the designation "Previously Salvaged." This brand will appear on all future titles and registrations issued for the vehicle. Without this new title, your vehicle can't be legally registered.

Salvage Fraud

If you're planning to purchase a used motor vehicle, it's important to be aware of the risk of salvage fraud. This crime occurs when a dealer purchases a salvaged vehicle, performs a few minor repairs, and sells it to a consumer who is unaware of the vehicle's history of damage. For this reason, it's always a good idea to have a qualified mechanic inspect any used vehicle that you are planning to purchase―and order a vehicle history report to verify a clean title.

Find further details about salvage vehicles on the DMV's information page.

Also check out Title Transfers on this site.