Auto Insurance Claims: car totalled, radiator fluid, auto insurer

Question
I live in Connecticut.  I received a settlement check of about $7000 from the auto insurer of a person who hit my daughter's 2000 Subaru legacy it was their fault, after a long and upsetting series of phone calls debating with them. I bought the car back from them for $375, because other than a bent-down bumper and crimped hood, all the damage was cosmetic.  I hoped to repair the bumper and straighten the hood at a body shop, but my problem is that I got the title back stamped "salvage", which in Ct means the car has to go through a repair process with documented records of parts replaced, certification of the air bag, and a thorough inspection at Ct motor vehicle.  The car is in great shape otherwise, has low miles, and the damage appears to be pretty obviously confined to the hood and bumper.  The appraisal quoted things like left and right quarter panels replacement which are clearly not damaged - not even one taillight or headlight is scratched, it also quotes replacement of radiator fluid, antifreeze, even though it says the hood was not opened for the inspection. My question is that can I somehow reverse the assessment of "salvage" ?  It appears to me that the basis for being totalled is purely that the cost of repair, which includes mostly cosmetic items, is driving a salvage condition, and in Connecticut, that means thee appraiser apparently has the exclusive right to declare my car not roadworthy and Connecticut law says it can't be registered.  This is very inconsistent, simply because nitpicking all sorts of body isses, the cost of painting and doing body work adds up to more than the car is worth, a private appraiser can prevent me from keeping the car registered.  I know you might say that to my "untrained eye", there might be structural damage, etc, but nothing as such was listed on the damage report which is the official record - the only thing structural mentioned was the bumper, adn there was no mention even of any other "possible damage", etc.  I am going to try to get the bumper fixed and the airbag certified, but I am wary of what the motor vehicle inspection might additionally flunk me for because of the appraisal.  Any thoughts on how I can get the "salvage" on the title reversed?  I am taking lots of pictures, I will be prepared to show lots of pictures at motor vehicle so they can clearly see that the damage was actually very limited.

thanks,  

Answer
Hi Gary,

There is no way to reverse the Salvage title. Once an insurance company totals out a vehicle they are required by law to apply for a salvage title. The vehicle can only be sold as salvage. When you say that you bought the car back for $375.00, what you did was to purchase back the salvage for its expected salvage value. The process you have explained is the process you will have to go throught. Once you have the vehicle completey repaired you will then take it to be inspected. Even if the vehicle passes the inspection, you will always have a "Branded" title. It will always have a lable of "salvage" or "rebui9lt salvage" on the title. This will render the vehicle to be worth about 50% of the standard value.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh