A Delaware salvage title certificate may be issued to vehicle owners who possess cars that have been damaged as a result of various unwanted circumstances. This type of title certificate is issued only by the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DE DMV). Vehicle owners must learn the methods for titling a car salvage and the steps that the procedure mandates before going at a local DE DMV branch.

Prior to getting a salvage certificate, motorists may have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria. Furthermore, they may even have to have their vehicles inspected either for the purpose of getting a salvage car title or for the purpose of reconstructing the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle owners need to inquire about the necessary details about the procedure before beginning. For more information about how to get a salvage title in Delaware from the state DMV, continue reading the sections below.

What is a Delaware salvage title?

A DMV salvage title in Delaware is a legal document issued by the DE DMV, which serves as proof of ownership of a motor vehicle that has been proclaimed as a total loss. Owners must obtain a salvage certificate for a total loss insurance settlement in situations when they want to retain the ownership rights of the motor vehicle.

Motorists who own vehicles that are proclaimed as salvage cannot operate them if they are not reconstructed, inspected at the Delaware Police Auto Theft Unit, presented for a safety inspection, or retitled. Salvage cars are vehicles that have been damaged either by flood or due to an accident.

Delaware Salvage Title Eligibility Requirements

To begin a procedure for getting a Delaware salvage certificate of title, vehicle owners may have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria beforehand. For instance, to qualify for a this type of title, motorists need to possess a damaged motor vehicle which has gained damages as a result of flooding or due to involvement in a traffic accident.

Moreover, vehicle owners may have to appear in person at a nearby DE DMV location in order to perform the procedure. In addition, motorists may also be required to satisfy other eligibility requirements in order to legally perform the procedure. Therefore, prior to titling a car salvage in Delaware, vehicle owners are recommended to learn the eligibility criteria that they must satisfy.

How to Get a Salvage Title in Delaware

Vehicle owners may obtain a salvage certificate in Delaware by performing certain procedures and by following several steps. Therefore, the process of getting a salvage title may require motorists to complete the steps below:

  • Visit a local DE DMV office.
  • Make an odometer disclosure on the back of the title certificate.
  • Provide the following documents:
    • DE car title
    • Letter stating that the vehicle is a total loss insurance settlement from the insurance company
  • Submit the DE vehicle license plates at the time of title request.
  • Provide payment for the applicable fee.

Note that the letter from the insurance company must contain the signature of the insurance agent, the name of the owner, the date of loss, the vehicle’s model, make and year, as well as the vehicle identification number (VIN). Furthermore, motorists may also obtain a salvage title for their motor vehicle via mail, as long as they comply with every requirement. After completing the above-listed steps, vehicle owners will be issued a salvage car title certificate.

Salvage Car Inspections in Delaware

Applicants for a salvage title in Delaware must also perform a car inspection for their motor vehicles as part of the requirements for the procedure. The salvage title cars must be brought at the Delaware State Police Auto Theft Unit and inspected thoroughly so that vehicle owners are able to title and register them as salvage.

To begin the salvage vehicle inspection process, the salvage car title must be in the owner’s name who must provide a bill of sale or total loss insurance settlement letter from the insurance company. Moreover, owners must take color photographs from all four sides of the vehicle before repairing it and document the repairs by saving the receipts for all parts. Note that the receipts must contain the date and both the buyer’s and the seller’s names, addresses and zip codes.

Furthermore, the Delaware State Police Auto Theft Unit requires vehicle owners to provide proofs of identity when performing a car salvage inspection, but does not mandate them to schedule appointments.

Delaware Salvage Title Fees

One of the requirements for getting a Delaware DMV salvage title certificate is to submit payment for the applicable fees to the DE DMV. The ultimate step of the procedure requires vehicle owners to pay a fee of $35 for the titling of their motor vehicles.

At the same time when paying the mandatory salvage title value, motorists may have to present their vehicle license plates at the local DE DMV branch. Vehicle owners may be required to complete other steps as part of the procedure, alongside with providing the payment for the corresponding fees.

Note: If the motor vehicle passes the DMV safety inspection in Delaware, vehicle owners may receive a temporary tag for free until the next inspection.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.