1. A. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, an insurance company, or authorized agent of an insurance company, may obtain a nonrepairable certificate for a vehicle titled in the Commonwealth and acquired by the insurance company through the claims process without first obtaining a certificate of title or a salvage certificate, provided that the insurance company or authorized agent of the insurance company electronically files the following with the Department in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner;

   1. 1. The insurance company's information, including name, address, federal identification number, and insurance company code number;
   2. 2. The claim number and claim payment date;
   3. 3. The vehicle information, including year, make, model, and vehicle identification number; and

   4. 4. A certification that:

      1. a. The insurance company (i) has acquired the vehicle through the claims process; (ii) is unable to obtain the assigned title or salvage certificate for the vehicle from the insured; and (iii) has determined the vehicle to be a nonrepairable vehicle;
      2. b. Any lien recorded on this title at the time the insurance company acquired the vehicle has been satisfied as a result of the claims process and released by the lien holder; and
      3. c. The insurance company, or authorized agent of the insurance company, is selling the vehicle, either directly or through a salvage pool, to a demolisher, salvage dealer, or scrap metal processor solely for the purpose of recycling parts, dismantling, demolishing, or utilizing for scrap.
2. B. Upon receipt of the information required in subsection A, the Department shall update its records in accordance with subsection D of § 46.2-1603.2 and electronically deliver to the insurance company, or the authorized agent of the insurance company who filed the information in subsection A, if any, a nonrepairable certificate for the vehicle.
3. C. The insurance company, or authorized agent of the insurance company, shall provide the purchaser of the vehicle with the nonrepairable certificate and a bill of sale for each vehicle processed through subsection A. Delivery of such nonrepairable certificate and bill of sale to the purchaser may be through electronic means.
4. D. Each purchaser of a vehicle for which a nonrepairable certificate has been issued pursuant to subsection A shall comply with the notification requirements of subsection B of § 46.2-1608.2 and all applicable recordkeeping requirements of this chapter.

2023, cc. 364, 365.