Which Insurance Companies Cover Cars With Rebuilt Titles?

Most mainstream auto insurers will provide at least liability coverage for a vehicle with a rebuilt title, while a smaller group will also offer comprehensive and collision (“full coverage”) in select states after inspections and documentation. Options commonly include Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers (and Bristol West), Liberty Mutual/Safeco, American Family, Erie, Mercury, Auto-Owners, Travelers (case by case), and USAA for eligible members—availability varies by state and underwriting. Expect stricter requirements, potentially higher premiums, and lower claim valuations than for clean-title vehicles.

Rebuilt vs. Salvage: Why the Title Status Matters to Insurers

A “salvage” title means the vehicle was deemed a total loss by an insurer and is not legal to drive; it typically cannot be insured for on-road use beyond storage or comprehensive-only in rare cases. A “rebuilt” (also called “reconstructed,” “revived salvage,” or “prior salvage”) title indicates the car was repaired, passed required state inspections, and is legal to drive again. Insurers are generally open to covering rebuilt-title vehicles, but they price and underwrite them differently because prior damage increases risk and complicates valuation.

Insurers That Commonly Cover Rebuilt-Title Vehicles

The following companies are frequently willing to insure rebuilt-title cars for liability, and in many cases comprehensive and collision after inspection and documentation. Availability and limits vary by state, vehicle type, and the nature of prior damage (e.g., flood totals are often harder to insure fully).

• Progressive and GEICO: Broad liability availability; comp/collision often possible after inspection and photos.
• State Farm and Allstate: Often write liability; full coverage may be available with documentation and in specific states.
• Nationwide and Farmers (including Bristol West): Commonly insure prior-salvage vehicles; nonstandard subsidiaries can help.
• Liberty Mutual and Safeco: Case-by-case underwriting; more likely if repairs are well-documented.
• American Family, Erie, Mercury, Auto-Owners: Regional carriers that frequently offer options, depending on state/vehicle.
• Travelers: More selective; possible with strong documentation and favorable state rules.
• USAA: Available to eligible members; state-by-state decisioning, typically with inspection.
• Nonstandard insurers (e.g., The General, Dairyland): Often options for liability if standard markets decline.

Because underwriting guidelines change and differ by state, it’s best to get quotes from multiple carriers and ask specifically about comprehensive and collision on rebuilt titles for your VIN.

What Coverage Types You Can Get—and Limits to Expect

Insurers often differentiate coverage on rebuilt vehicles. Here’s what’s typically available and where you may encounter limits.

• Liability (BI/PD): Widely available; protects others if you cause an accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Commonly offered; state requirements apply.
• Medical Payments/PIP: Usually available; depends on state no-fault rules.
• Comprehensive and Collision: Offered by some carriers after inspection; flood-total histories or airbag issues can trigger declines.
• Roadside Assistance/Rental: Often available but not guaranteed; some carriers restrict add-ons for prior salvage.
• Gap Insurance: Rare on rebuilt titles; most lenders and insurers won’t offer it.

If you’re financing a rebuilt-title car, confirm your lender’s insurance requirements early; many lenders require full coverage and may decline rebuilt collateral entirely.

What Insurers Usually Require Before Issuing Full Coverage

Underwriting rebuilt vehicles tends to be documentation-heavy. Preparing the right materials can improve your approval odds and quotes.

• State rebuilt/reconstructed title and DMV inspection documentation.
• Comprehensive photo set (all sides, VIN, odometer, engine bay, undercarriage, repaired areas).
• Repair receipts/parts invoices, especially for safety systems (airbags, seatbelts, ADAS sensors, headlights).
• Pre-purchase inspection report or body shop statement; airbag module scan proof where applicable.
• Vehicle history report (e.g., CARFAX/AutoCheck) showing the salvage event type.
• Independent appraisal (sometimes requested for high-value or heavily repaired vehicles).

Submitting organized, dated documentation upfront reduces back-and-forth and can help carriers justify offering comprehensive and collision.

Pricing, Valuation, and Claims: What’s Different With Rebuilt Titles

Two things typically change: what you pay and how your car is valued at claim time.

• Premiums: Often modestly higher than for clean titles, reflecting underwriting risk and parts/labor uncertainties.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): Insurers usually discount ACV for prior salvage—commonly 20–40% below an equivalent clean-title car.
• Deductibles: Some carriers require higher deductibles for comp/collision on rebuilt vehicles.
• Exclusions: Carriers may exclude or scrutinize claims related to prior damage and can decline flood-total vehicles for full coverage.
• Total Losses: Payouts are based on rebuilt ACV at loss, not clean-title value; diminished value claims are typically not paid.

Before buying coverage, ask the insurer how they’ll determine ACV for your VIN and whether any damage categories (e.g., flood, fire) are ineligible for full coverage.

State-by-State Nuances You Should Know

Rebuilt title rules and terminology vary. While most states allow on-road use after inspection, the process—and insurer appetite—differs meaningfully.

• California: “Revived salvage” after CHP/DMV inspections; many carriers will write liability and sometimes full coverage.
• Florida/Texas: “Rebuilt” after state inspection; insurers generally available, with mixed appetite for comp/collision.
• New York: Rebuilt salvage after DMV inspection; documentation standards are high; underwriting can be stricter.
• Pennsylvania: “R-title” (reconstructed); regional carriers like Erie or Auto-Owners may be competitive.
• Flood States: Prior flood totals face the toughest underwriting for full coverage regardless of state.

Because these rules evolve, confirm current state inspection requirements and ask each insurer specifically about their stance in your ZIP code.

Financing, Leases, and GAP Considerations

Money and insurance go hand in hand with title status. Rebuilt vehicles bring extra constraints.

• Financing: Many banks/credit unions avoid rebuilt titles or require larger down payments and higher rates.
• Full Coverage Requirement: If financed, lenders almost always require comp/collision—harder but not impossible to secure.
• Leasing: Rarely available on rebuilt titles.
• GAP Coverage: Typically unavailable from lenders and insurers for prior salvage; specialty products are scarce.

If you must finance, confirm in writing that full coverage is obtainable for your VIN before you sign a loan contract.

How to Improve Your Odds and Lower Costs

A few proactive steps can make insuring a rebuilt-title car easier and cheaper.

• Choose the right car: Avoid flood or airbag-deployed totals; favor light collision repairs with clean documentation.
• Keep every receipt: Parts and calibration invoices matter—especially for airbags and ADAS components.
• Get an independent inspection: A clean report helps underwriting and resale.
• Shop widely: Get quotes from standard and nonstandard carriers; ask about photos/inspection timelines.
• Consider telematics: Usage-based programs can offset higher base rates if you drive safely.

Well-documented repairs and careful shopping usually determine whether you can secure full coverage at a reasonable price.

FAQs

Can I get full coverage on a rebuilt title?

Often yes, but it’s state- and carrier-dependent and may require inspections, photos, and repair documentation. Flood-total vehicles are commonly excluded from full coverage.

Will my premiums be higher?

Usually somewhat higher than for a comparable clean-title car, though safe-driver programs and telematics can help.

How are claims paid?

On the vehicle’s rebuilt actual cash value, which is typically discounted versus a clean title. Prior damage-related issues may be scrutinized or excluded.

What if I can only get liability?

That’s common. If the vehicle’s rebuilt ACV is low or you can’t secure full coverage, liability-only may be a practical choice—especially if the car is paid off.

Bottom Line

Plenty of insurers will cover a rebuilt-title vehicle for liability, and several will offer comprehensive and collision in many states after inspections and documentation. Cast a wide net—consider Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers/Bristol West, Liberty Mutual/Safeco, American Family, Erie, Mercury, Auto-Owners, Travelers (case by case), and USAA if eligible—and be prepared for tighter underwriting and discounted claim valuations.

Summary

Rebuilt-title cars can be insured, but terms vary. Most major carriers will write liability; full coverage is available from a subset after documentation and inspections, with premiums slightly higher and ACV lower than clean-title equivalents. Shop multiple insurers, gather repair records and inspection proofs, and confirm state-specific requirements to secure the best coverage for your VIN.

Will Progressive insure a rebuilt title vehicle?

Yes, Progressive covers cars with rebuilt titles, but only in certain situations. If you want to know whether Progressive will insure your rebuilt-title car, you’ll need to reach out to a customer service representative to review your specific situation and see whether you and your vehicle qualify for coverage.

Does a rebuilt title affect insurance?

How Much Does a Rebuilt Title Affect Insurance Rates? According to many experts, rebuilt title insurance costs typically increase by 20% to 40% than a clean title. This is because insurers perceive these vehicles as more likely to file claims due to their history of extensive repairs.

Will State Farm fully cover a rebuilt title?

Yes, State Farm will insure a car with a rebuilt title if repairs are documented, the car is rebuilt and the vehicle passes inspection. Insuring a car with a rebuilt title is possible, but it can take a lot more legwork, and not all auto insurance providers will offer coverage.

What happens if you get into an accident with a rebuilt title?

You can usually get liability insurance for a car with a rebuilt title, but you might not be able to get comprehensive coverage, which means the insurance company isn’t necessarily going to pay to replace it after a crash.