Vehicle owners are not required to apply for a salvage title in Connecticut, since insurance companies have the authority to declare a vehicle a total loss motor vehicle and stamp the existing title certificate as a salvage title. In such cases, instead of getting a separate car salvage title, your insurer will mail a copy of your branded certificate of title to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

After stamping your CT salvage title, insurance companies will either retain the vehicle or leave it in your possession. If you keep the motor vehicle, you will be required to remove your license plates, since your car registration will be invalidated. However, if you successfully repair your car, and it passes inspection, you can apply for a rebuilt title and a new registration to continue operating the vehicle on public roads.

What is a Connecticut salvage title and a rebuilt title?

If you would like to obtain a salvage certificate in Connecticut, note that the department does not issue new titles for totaled vehicles. Your current title certificate branded by your insurer as salvage is enough proof that you own a salvage vehicle. Note that your insurance company will stamp your title certificate as salvage only if the cost to repair your wrecked motor vehicle is greater than its current value.

While you are unable to get a salvage car title, you can still apply for a rebuilt title certificate, provided you have successfully reconstructed your totaled motor vehicle. After obtaining a rebuilt salvage title in CT, you will have proof that you are the assigned owner of the reconstructed vehicle, which qualifies it for a DMV car registration and license plates.

Connecticut Rebuilt Title Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a rebuilt title in Connecticut, you will be required to meet several requirements imposed by the state DMV to mainly verify whether or not your rebuilt vehicle is roadworthy. Your vehicle will qualify for a restored salvage title only if the following criteria are satisfied:

• You hold a title certificate branded as a CT salvage title.
• Your vehicle was not branded as a parts-only, non-rebuildable or unrepairable salvage vehicle.
• You have the original insurance appraisal of your salvage vehicle.
• Your motor vehicle has passed a salvage inspection with the state DMV.
• You have receipts for all the component parts used to rebuild the vehicle.
• You have made clear photographs of the repaired vehicle.

Note: In addition to the above requirements for a rebuilt vehicle title, you may be required to meet additional criteria, since each titling situation is unique.

How to Get a Salvage and a Rebuilt Title in Connecticut

While you are not required to complete an application process for a Connecticut salvage title, you will have to submit a formal request to the state DMV in order to title and register a rebuilt motor vehicle. If you retain your motor vehicle after it has been branded salvage, and you subsequently repair it, you can apply for a rebuilt title certificate by following these steps:

1. Bring the vehicle to the DMV Wethersfield or Hamden office with a car carrier or a flat-bed trailer.
2. Apply for a vehicle inspection in person by completing the following steps:
   1. Fill out the Salvaged Vehicle Repair Report (Form K-186) and attach various photographs of the rebuilt vehicle.
   2. Submit the required documentation and fee payments for the parts used during the rebuilding process.
   3. Provide your original insurance declaration of damage needed to obtain the salvage brand.
   4. Pay the applicable inspection fee.
3. Submit a request for a new title and car registration with the department.
   1. Meet the applicable titling and registration requirements, such as submitting proof of identification, ownership and vehicle insurance and filling out the title and registration application.
   2. Pay the titling and registration fees.
      1. You can either use your old vehicle plates or apply for new plates.

Once you successfully apply for a CT restored salvage title, you will receive a title certificate bearing the brand “Rebuilt.” After paying the registration costs, you can also continue operating your motor vehicle legally once more.

Rebuilt Car Inspections in Connecticut

An important step when applying for a Connecticut rebuilt car title is passing an official salvage inspection through an approved inspection station. You can apply for a salvage vehicle inspection at the DMV Hamden and Wethersfield offices on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Note that you are not allowed to drive your salvage motor vehicle to the DMV site, and you can only transport it or have it driven or towed by an approved dealer or repairman.

The DMV inspection staff will check the new or used component parts, which were needed to rebuilt the vehicle, and verify the vehicle identification number (VIN). Once the inspector verifies the roadworthiness of your rebuilt motor vehicle, you will be issued the corresponding certificate of inspection, which will allow you to continue with the titling and registration procedures.

Note: If the DMV inspector is not satisfied with the vehicle repairs, he or she may request you to remove the questionable parts or undercoating.

Connecticut Rebuilt Title Fees

To successfully obtain a rebuilt title in Connecticut, you will be required to pay several types of fees. First, you will have to arrange payment for the salvage car inspection cost in the amount of $88. If your vehicle was obtained from outside of the state, or it is older than 9 model years, you will also have to pay an additional $10 administrative fee.

After concluding the vehicle inspection, you will have to pay the applicable titling and registration fees, which will vary depending on the type of vehicle you are registering. For instance, passenger vehicles can be registered by paying an $80 registration fee and a $7 license plate fee. Additional minor costs will also apply.

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