- (a) Owner and insurer application. Upon receipt of the certificate of title and accompanying documents and fees referenced in 27 CAR § 14-102, the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue to the owner of a salvage vehicle, including insurers who take ownership through indemnification, a new certificate of title bearing the notation "SALVAGE" in the remarks section on the face of the title.
(b) Insurer notification.
- (1) If a motor vehicle becomes a salvage vehicle and an insurer indemnifies under the insurance policy, but the insurer does not take title to the salvage vehicle, the insurer shall notify the Office of Motor Vehicle that the motor vehicle is a salvage vehicle by submitting a completed Insurer Notification and Declaration of Damage form which is prescribed by the secretary and incorporated into this part.
- (2) An insurer's total loss report that lists the damage sustained by the vehicle may be submitted to the office in lieu of completing Section 5 of the completed Insurer Notification and Declaration of Damage form that requires a description of damage.
(3) Upon receipt of the completed Insurer Notification and Declaration of Damage form and the insurer’s total loss report, if applicable, the secretary shall attach a note or stamp identifying the vehicle as a salvage vehicle to any:
- (A) Copy of a title issued by the office; or
- (B) Reissued or changed title.
(4) The note or stamp shall remain in place until:
- (A) The owner of the vehicle surrenders the certificate of title to the salvage vehicle; and
- (B) A salvage vehicle title is issued by the secretary.
- (c) In the event that a motor vehicle is rebuilt or reconstructed after the issuance of a salvage title, a rebuilt title may later be substituted for the salvage title if the owner complies with the provisions of this part pertaining to the registration and titling of rebuilt or reconstructed vehicles.