4.040 Salvage Certificate

A Salvage Certificate (REG 489) is issued instead of an ownership certificate for a total loss salvage vehicle and becomes the ownership document. This certificate can only be issued in the name of the insurance company or the owner shown on the department’s records at the time the vehicle was wrecked, not to a subsequent buyer.

Prior to sale or disposal of a total loss salvage vehicle, the owner must obtain a properly endorsed Salvage Certificate (REG 489) and deliver it to the automobile dismantler within ten days after full payment for the salvage vehicle (VC §11515[e]).