California Code of Regulations › Title 13 - Motor Vehicles › Division 1 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Vehicle Registration and Titling › Section 155.05 - Application for Salvage Certificates

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) In addition to the requirements specified
				  in Sections
				  11515 and
				  11515.1(a)
				  of the Vehicle Code to obtain a salvage certificate for a total loss vehicle,
				  an Application for Salvage Certificate or Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificate,
				  form REG 488C (REV. 8/2008) shall be submitted to the department and shall
				  contain the following information entered in Section
				  1 on the form:
(1) The vehicle description, including the
				  vehicle license plate number, make, year, vehicle identification number, the
				  state of last known vehicle registration, and the date registration
				  expires.
(2) The insurance claim
				  number, if available.
(3) The
				  cost/value of the vehicle as determined either by the insurance company's
				  payoff or the purchase price from the previous owner.
(A) The cost/value shall not be required when
				  the application is for a duplicate salvage certificate.
(4) The date the vehicle was wrecked or
				  destroyed, when applicable.
(5) The
				  date the vehicle was stolen, when applicable.
(6) The date the vehicle was recovered, if
				  stolen.
(7) The applicant or
				  authorized agent shall sign and date the form in Section
				  1 to certify that the described
				  vehicle is a total loss salvage, that a properly endorsed certificate of
				  ownership document or documents is attached, and to request the department
				  issue a salvage certificate.
(A) If the
				  properly endorsed certificate of ownership or other appropriate evidence of
				  ownership document(s) cannot be secured, the following applies:
(i) Vehicles valued under five thousand
				  dollars ($5,000) shall require a Statement of Facts, form REG 256 (REV. 1/2007)
				  with Section G completed to explain why the title cannot be obtained and
				  Section H signed and dated to certify or declare under penalty of perjury that
				  the described vehicle identified in Section G is a total loss salvage and to
				  request that the department issue a salvage certificate.
(ii) Vehicles valued at five thousand dollars
				  ($5,000) and above shall require a surety bond pursuant to Section
				  4157 of the
				  Vehicle Code. A surety bond is also required when settlement is made to the
				  legal owner of a vehicle without the release of the registered owner unless
				  repossession documentation is attached.
(iii) EXCEPTION: Following a total loss
				  settlement, an insurance company, an occupational licensee of the department
				  authorized by an insurance company or a salvage pool authorized by an insurance
				  company, that has completed the requirements of Section
				  11515 of the
				  Vehicle Code and completed the Unobtainable Title Certification for Issuance of
				  a Salvage or Nonrepairable Certificate, form REG 492 (REV 2/2009), which is
				  hereby incorporated by reference, shall submit the REG 492 form, along with the
				  REG 488C form to request that the department issue a salvage certificate
				  without a certificate of ownership or other appropriate evidence of ownership
				  document(s).
(8) The name of the insurance company or
				  applicant.
(9) The California
				  Driver License or Identification Card number, if the applicant is an individual
				  and not a business or an agent.
(10) The street address which shall include,
				  but not be limited to, the following: the street number and name, city, state
				  and zip code.
(A) The street address of the
				  insurance company or applicant depending on who is completing the REG 488C
				  form.
(11) If applicable,
				  the authorized agent's printed name and occupational license number when the
				  agent is licensed by the department.