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Connecticut General Statutes Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline § 14-16c. Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title.  Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles.  Regulations

Current as of June 28, 2021 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) (1) (A) Any insurance company which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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 which 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) 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.”

(d) No motor vehicle for which a copy 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.

(e) 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.

(f) No insurance company and no firm or corporation which 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 which is not licensed under the provisions of subparts (D) or (H) of part III of this chapter.   1  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 which 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   2 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.

(g) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54,  3 to implement the provisions of this section.

1  C.G.S.A. § 14-51 et seq. or § 14-67g et seq.
2  C.G.S.A. § 14-67g et seq.
3  C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Connecticut General Statutes Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline § 14-16c. Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title.  Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles.  Regulations - last updated June 28, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ct/title-14-motor-vehicles-use-of-the-highway-by-vehicles-gasoline/ct-gen-st-sect-14-16c/

Read this complete Connecticut General Statutes Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline § 14-16c. Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title.  Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles.  Regulations on Westlaw

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