Will GEICO insure a salvage title?

Generally, GEICO will not insure a vehicle that currently carries a salvage title for on‑road use. After the vehicle is repaired and retitled as “rebuilt” or “reconstructed” following a state inspection, GEICO often can provide liability coverage in many states and may offer comprehensive and collision on a case‑by‑case basis, subject to underwriting and inspection requirements.

What GEICO will and won’t insure

Insurers tie coverage eligibility to whether a vehicle is legally roadworthy and registrable. A salvage title signals a total loss that is not road-legal; a rebuilt (or reconstructed) title indicates the vehicle has been repaired and passed required inspections. GEICO’s standard personal auto policies follow this distinction.

The key considerations typically include:

• Salvage title: GEICO generally does not provide on-road liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage for a vehicle that remains branded “salvage,” because it is not legally operable or registrable.
• Rebuilt/reconstructed title: After state inspection and retitling, GEICO often will write at least liability coverage in many states; physical damage coverage (comprehensive/collision) may be offered depending on the vehicle, inspection results, and state rules.
• Storage-only coverage: Some carriers allow comprehensive-only (“storage”) coverage for vehicles not driven; availability for a salvage vehicle varies and may depend on existing policy status and state regulations. You must confirm directly with GEICO.

If you plan to drive the car on public roads, expect to need a rebuilt/reconstructed title before GEICO (or most mainstream carriers) will insure it.

Salvage vs. rebuilt: why the title status matters

Understanding the title branding helps set realistic expectations for insurance.

Here’s how the common title brands differ and why they affect GEICO’s decision:

• Salvage: A prior total loss deemed not roadworthy. Typically ineligible for registration and on-road insurance.
• Rebuilt/Reconstructed/Revived Salvage: A previously salvaged vehicle that passed state safety (and sometimes emissions) inspections and is now registrable. Insurable with more carriers, including GEICO in many states.
• Flood or Hail Brands: Some states apply specific brands; severe water damage can limit or preclude physical damage coverage due to elevated risk of hidden electrical/mechanical issues.

Because a salvage vehicle is presumed unsafe and unregistrable, GEICO will wait for the rebuilt process to be completed before offering typical auto coverage.

Coverage types GEICO may offer on a rebuilt title

Once your vehicle is retitled as rebuilt and meets state and GEICO requirements, potential coverage can include:

• Liability (bodily injury/property damage): Most commonly available for rebuilt titles in many states.
• Medical payments/Personal Injury Protection: Availability varies by state; standard policy rules apply.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Typically available where offered by state law.
• Comprehensive and Collision: May be offered case-by-case after inspection; some vehicles (severe structural damage, airbag non-deployment faults, flood history) may be ineligible.
• Optional coverages: Roadside assistance or rental reimbursement may be available, subject to underwriting.

Even when physical damage coverage is approved, claim payouts are based on the vehicle’s actual cash value, which is usually discounted for a branded title.

How to improve your odds of approval with GEICO

Preparation and documentation are key when insuring a rebuilt vehicle with GEICO.

Consider taking these steps before you call for a quote:

1. Complete state repairs and inspection: Finish all required repairs, then pass your state’s rebuilt/reconstructed inspection.
2. Obtain the rebuilt title: Convert the salvage title to the state’s rebuilt/reconstructed brand.
3. Assemble documentation: Keep parts receipts (with donor VINs if required), photos of the vehicle pre- and post-repair, and the inspection report.
4. Be ready for a carrier inspection: GEICO may require a photo or physical inspection to verify condition and pre-existing damage; some states mandate pre-insurance photo inspections (e.g., via CARCO in NY/NJ/MA).
5. Disclose the title brand upfront: Transparency about the vehicle’s history reduces delays and helps avoid claim disputes later.

Providing thorough proof of quality repairs and successful inspections helps GEICO evaluate the risk and can expand the coverage options available to you.

Costs, limitations, and claim realities

Owning a rebuilt-title vehicle can change both pricing and claim outcomes.

Expect the following differences compared with a clean-title car:

• Premiums: Rates may be similar to, or higher than, a comparable clean-title vehicle, depending on state and underwriting; the bigger impact is usually at claim time.
• Lower actual cash value: Branded titles typically carry reduced market values, which reduces total loss payouts.
• Coverage restrictions: Some vehicles won’t qualify for comprehensive/collision; others may have exclusions for pre-existing or undisclosed damage.
• Lender requirements: If you financed the car, the lender may require comprehensive/collision, which not all insurers will offer on rebuilt titles.

Plan for diminished value on any payout and check whether your bank’s coverage requirements align with what GEICO is willing to provide.

If GEICO declines: practical alternatives

If GEICO’s underwriting can’t accommodate your rebuilt vehicle—or if you need physical damage coverage they won’t offer—there are other avenues.

Options to consider include:

• Shop other mainstream carriers: Some insurers will write collision/comprehensive on certain rebuilt vehicles that GEICO will only write for liability, and vice versa.
• Nonstandard or specialty insurers: Regional carriers and specialty markets sometimes accept more complex histories or offer stated-value policies.
• Liability-only coverage: If full coverage isn’t required by a lender, liability-only can keep you legal at a lower cost.
• Independent agents/brokers: They can survey multiple markets quickly and match your state’s rules with an insurer’s appetite.

Comparing several quotes is often the fastest way to confirm whether physical damage coverage is realistic for your specific vehicle and state.

What to have ready when you call GEICO

Having the right information on hand streamlines the quoting process and helps avoid delays.

Prepare this information before you request a quote:

• VIN, current title brand, and state of registration
• Rebuilt inspection certificate and date passed
• Photos showing repair quality and current condition
• Receipts for major components replaced (engine, airbags, structural parts)
• Any prior appraisal or valuation you have

Clear, complete documentation helps the underwriter assess risk and may improve your chances of obtaining broader coverage.

Bottom line

GEICO typically will not insure a vehicle that still has a salvage title for on-road use. After you repair the vehicle and secure a rebuilt (or equivalent) title and pass any required inspections, GEICO often can provide liability coverage in many states and may offer comprehensive/collision depending on the car’s condition and state rules. Expect lower claim valuations due to the branded title and be prepared for possible restrictions on physical damage coverage.

Summary

GEICO generally declines on-road insurance for salvage-title vehicles. Once retitled as rebuilt/reconstructed after state inspection, GEICO frequently offers liability and may extend comprehensive/collision on a case-by-case basis, with inspections and documentation required. Premiums and especially claim payouts reflect the diminished market value of branded-title vehicles. If GEICO can’t meet your needs, check other carriers or specialty markets, and consider liability-only if full coverage isn’t required by your lender.