Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 246 - Motor Vehicles
Section 14-16c. - Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title. Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles. Regulations.

(a)(1)(A) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim for damage or theft, shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the insurance company shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title. A copy of such certificate shall be sent by the insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that salvage information required to be reported by an insurance company to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may discontinue the requirement that an insurance company submit a copy of such certificate to the department. (B) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim for damage or theft, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle.

(2) (A) Any person, firm or corporation that is a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if such self-insurer determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the self-insurer shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title. Any person, firm or corporation that is insured other than by means of self-insurance and owns such a motor vehicle, shall forward the vehicle's certificate of title to the company insuring such vehicle or the company paying the totalled claim. Such insurer shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the certificate of title except that if the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the insurer taking possession of such motor vehicle shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title and shall return such certificate to such person, firm or corporation. A copy of such certificate shall be sent by the person, firm or corporation to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that salvage information required to be reported by a self-insurer to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may discontinue the requirement that a self-insurer submit a copy of such certificate to the department. (B) Any person, firm or corporation that is a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, “major component part” has the same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-149a.
(b) Any insurance company or its agent taking possession of a motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or any person, firm or corporation that owns such motor vehicle shall copy the certificate and give the original of such certificate, with a copy of the appraiser's damage report attached thereto, to any subsequent purchaser of the motor vehicle that has been declared a total loss. The name and address of any such purchaser shall be recorded on the original and the copy, as provided on the certificate. The copy shall serve only as a record of transfers of the total loss motor vehicle.
(c) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, as a result of a full settlement of a claim for damage or theft, but is unable to obtain the title to the vehicle from the insured or any lienholder of record for the vehicle may apply to the department for a certificate of title, SALVAGE title or SALVAGE-PARTS ONLY title, as described in subsection (a) of this section. The application for a certificate of title pursuant to this subsection shall (1) be on a form prescribed by the commissioner, (2) include documents as required by the commissioner in lieu of the documents required under subsection (a) of this section, and (3) include evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the insurance company (A) provided at least two notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the insured and any lienholder of record for the vehicle indicating the insurance company's intention to apply for a certificate of title as the owner of the vehicle, and (B) made payment to the insured or any lienholder of record in full settlement of the claim involving the vehicle. The commissioner may issue a certificate of title pursuant to this subsection only in the name of the insurance company not earlier than thirty days after the date of the payment described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (3) of this section is made.
(d) The person, firm, company or corporation required to stamp “SALVAGE” on the certificate of title shall stamp the following statement on the face of any original or copy of such certificate issued in accordance with this section: “WARNING: ALL PURCHASERS OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIBED HEREIN MUST RECORD THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE REVERSE SIDE. THIS VEHICLE CANNOT BE REGISTERED OR RETITLED WITHOUT PASSING INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 14-103a. THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.”
(e) No motor vehicle for which a copy of a certificate of title has been made in accordance with this section may be operated upon any highway in this state, except that an owner of any such motor vehicle who is a motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed under the provisions of section 14-52 may operate such vehicle for the purpose of presenting the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. If such vehicle fails to comply with the minimum standards, it shall be transported from the site of such inspection. If any such motor vehicle is rebuilt for sale or use, the owner shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for an original certificate of title and present the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. The certificate of title issued in accordance with this section must be presented at the time of inspection, unless waived by the commissioner for good cause.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss in settlement of a claim for theft, having no damage to a major component part or having damage not exceeding (1) fifteen per cent of the retail value of such motor vehicle, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353, or (2) one thousand dollars as evidenced by an insurance adjuster's damage appraisal report, shall not be required to have its certificate of title stamped in accordance with the provisions of this section provided proof of such damage or lack of damage to a major component part, is attached to such certificate.
(g) No insurance company and no firm or corporation that is a self-insurer may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle, major component parts or any other parts of a motor vehicle to any person, firm or corporation that is not licensed under the provisions of subparts (D) or (H) of part III of this chapter. No person, firm or corporation licensed as a new or used car dealer who holds a permit pursuant to the provisions of section 14-65 may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle with a certificate of title stamped “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” or any motor vehicle that has ten or more major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of replacement to any person, firm or corporation which is not licensed under the provisions of subpart (H) of this part or under a similar provision of law of any other state. Any sale or transfer in violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, as defined by section 42-110b.
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-350b and the requirements of section 1-350d that a signature on a power of attorney executed in this state be witnessed by two witnesses and acknowledged by a notary public, a commissioner of the Superior Court or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments, a power of attorney used to support an application for or transfer of a certificate of title by an insurance company or its agent shall only require the signature or electronic signature of the insured who has received or is to receive a total loss settlement of a claim for damage or theft from the insurance company.
(i) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
(P.A. 80-292, S. 11; P.A. 81-172, S. 2; 81-174, S. 1, 5; P.A. 83-290; P.A. 84-359, S. 1; P.A. 85-237; P.A. 89-244, S. 3; P.A. 93-272, S. 1; P.A. 94-188, S. 26; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 70, 130; P.A. 95-260, S. 6, 24; P.A. 99-268, S. 15; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 03-265, S. 8; P.A. 04-143, S. 18; P.A. 10-110, S. 9; P.A. 14-122, S. 104; P.A. 21-106, S. 39.)
History: P.A. 81-172 reduced the required height of the word “salvage” required to be stamped on certificates of title under Subsec. (a) from two inches to one inch and imposed length restriction; P.A. 81-174 provided that the original of the stamped certificate be given to the subsequent purchaser of the totalled motor vehicle and that the copy of the certificate be sent to the department of motor vehicles and changed required wording of title in Subsec. (c); P.A. 83-290 required that self-insured persons, firms or corporations which own totalled motor vehicles stamp “SALVAGE” on the title certificate, that persons, firms or corporations insured other than by means of self-insurance send the vehicle's title certificate to its insurer, which shall stamp “SALVAGE” on the certificate and return it to such owner, and that the person or entity responsible for stamping “SALVAGE” stamp a warning on the title certificate; P.A. 84-359 amended Subsec. (a) to require forwarding of title to company paying totalled claim, amended Subsec. (d), requiring the original certificate of title, rather than a copy, to be presented at time of inspection and inserted new language as Subsec. (e), prohibiting insurance companies and firms or corporations which are self-insurers from selling totalled or salvaged motor vehicles or parts to anyone not licensed as a dealer, repairer or junk yard or junk business, relettering former Subsec. (e) as (f); P.A. 85-237 inserted new Subsec. (e) exempting certain vehicles declared a total loss in settlement for a theft claim from stamping of title certificate and relettered former Subsecs. (e) and (f) accordingly; P.A. 89-244 amended Subsec. (d) to permit licensed motor vehicle dealers or repairers to operate totalled and subsequently rebuilt motor vehicles they own on any highway for purpose of presenting vehicles for inspection under Sec. 14-103a; P.A. 93-272 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by providing that if the insurance company determines that the motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the certificate of title must be stamped with the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY”, amended Subsec. (a)(2) by providing that self-insurers and any other person, firm or corporation which is insured other than by means of self-insurance must stamp the certificate of title with the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” if the motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts which are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, added a new Subsec. (a)(3) listing what parts constitute “major component parts”, amended Subsec. (e) by providing that the value of motor vehicle shall be “determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353” rather than as “stated in the National Automobile Dealers Association Used Car Guide, Eastern Edition” and amended Subsec. (f) to prohibit new or used car dealers who hold auction permits pursuant to Sec. 14-65 from selling totalled or salvaged motor vehicles with certificates of title stamped “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” to anyone other than a motor vehicle junk yard, motor vehicle junk business or intermediate processor; P.A. 94-188 amended Subsec. (e) to include vehicles having no damage to a major component part; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical change, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (f) to prohibit a new or used car dealer who holds an auction permit from selling any motor vehicle with ten or more major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of replacement to any person, firm or corporation not licensed under subpart. (H) of part III of this chapter or under a similar provision of law of another state; P.A. 99-268 redefined “major component parts” in Subsec. (a)(3) to have the same meaning as provided in Sec. 14-149a(a)(2); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; (Revisor's note: In 2003 the references in Subsec. (f) to “subdivisions (D) or (H)” and “subdivision (H)” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “subparts (D) or (H)” and “subpart (H)”, respectively, for clarity of reference); P.A. 03-265 amended Subsecs. (a)(1) and (a)(2) by, in both cases, designating existing provisions as Subpara. (A), adding requirement that motor vehicle be offered for sale in this state for provisions of subparagraph to apply, adding requirement that copy of appraiser's damage report be attached to certificate of title and adding Subpara. (B) re requirements where certificate of title issued in another state, amended Subsec. (b) to include insurance company “or its agent”, to require that copy of appraiser's damage report be attached to certificate of title given to subsequent purchaser of motor vehicle declared a total loss from insurance company or agent, to change “must” to “shall” re recording of purchaser's name and address on original and copy of certificate, and to require that name and address be recorded on certificate “as provided on the certificate”, and amended Subsec. (f) to make subsection applicable to sale “or transfer” and to make a technical change, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-143 made a technical change in Subsec. (g), effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a)(1)(A) and (2)(A) to provide that if commissioner determines salvage information required to be reported is regularly available to department, commissioner may discontinue requirement re submission of copy of certificate to department; P.A. 14-122 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(3); P.A. 21-106 added new Subsec. (c) re application for certificate of title, SALVAGE title or SALVAGE-PARTS ONLY title by insurance company, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (f) as Subsecs. (d) to (g), added Subsec. (h) re power of attorney used to support application, redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (i) and amended same to replace “shall” with “may”, and made technical changes.

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