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Vehicles Deemed a Total Loss

Does not apply to vehicles that are 10 years old or older. For vehicles newer than 10 years old, the owner must surrender the original Tennessee title and a completed application for a salvage certificate. Once processed the salvage certificate will be mailed to you. Once the vehicle has been rebuilt, send the certificate along with the Application for Motor Vehicle Identification and Vehicle Components, colored photographs, receipts for all parts replaced, and $75.00. If everything is in order, the salvage certificate will be stamped as certified and returned to you with all submitted materials, except photographs. Take all the documents to your resident County Clerk for re-instatement of Title and Registration.

No matter to what extent the vehicle is rebuilt, the owner will only be issued a title branding the vehicle as rebuilt or flood, depending on the type of damage, so that future purchasers of the vehicle will know that the vehicle had been totaled and rebuilt.

NOTE: A vehicle with a salvage certificate CANNOT be operated legally on the roadways of Tennessee . Not until a title is issued, deeming the vehicle as rebuilt, can the vehicle be operated on Tennessee roadways.