Flood Title Vehicle Registration Guide

When a vehicle is extensively damaged by a flood, other natural disaster, fire or car accident, a salvage title is issued. This alerts people who may consider buying the vehicle in the future that official firms such as insurance companies once considered the vehicle severely damaged or totaled. Most states require cars significantly damaged by a flood to be re-titled as salvaged and then registered as appropriate. Registering a car with a flood title takes a few steps, but once any required inspections are completed is not much more complicated than registering a vehicle with a regular title.

First, call or visit your local branch of the state Department of Motor Vehicles. You may also wish to visit the appropriate website to research information about specific salvage/flood title rules in your state. If you don't already know the Web address of your state's motor vehicles division, you can visit DMV.org to find the appropriate link.

Next, you'll ask if a special vehicle inspection is required (if this step was not already done when you acquired the flood title) to legally register and drive the car. Typically if your car does need to be inspected, you must make an appointment for a DMV representative to visit the site where the vehicle is parked. Some states, like New York, require you to have the car towed to a facility.

This is because in many states you cannot legally drive a salvage title-eligible vehicle unless it is declared safe to do so. The aim is to protect you and others on the road when this step is required.

The third step is to visit your local DMV branch to register the vehicle once any required inspections are completed. If you have online access to your driver's license account, you can sometimes register a flood title vehicle online. Again, this depends on your state's requirements.

You'll also need to provide any required evidence that your flood title vehicle is insured as well as a copy of your driver's license. You'll also fill out a form with your personal identifying information and basic vehicle data (such as mileage, when the car was damaged by flood, and any applicable repair information.)

The final step is to pay required registration fees once you've satisfied the DMV's identity and flood-damaged vehicle clearance requirements. The specific amount depends on your state as well as the type of vehicle, but is usually around $100.

References:

"New York DMV: Salvage Vehicle Examination Program." http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/salvexam.htm#info

DMV.org