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How to obtain a salvage title

A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that has been wrecked, destroyed or damaged to such extent that the insurance company considers it uneconomical to repair it.

These vehicles can be repaired and re-sold in certain circumstances. If you have a salvage vehicle, you will need to title it. Salvage titles usually display the word "Salvage" across the title to distinguish them from a regular title.

AUTO AUCTIONS: An original “Power of Attorney” (POA) is required to remain on file with the Motor Vehicle Agency with whom you choose to manage your business. Download POA guidelines [pdf]

 


AUTO AUCTIONS: An original “Power of Attorney” (POA) is required to remain on file with the Motor Vehicle Agency with whom you choose to manage your business. Download POA guidelines [pdf]

To request a salvage title, you must have the following items:
  • New Jersey title assigned to an insurance company with the company’s New Jersey sales tax satisfied stamp
  • $60 title fee and $25 penalty fee, if applicable
  • Insurance listing sheet (BA-28) and statement from insurance company as to how the vehicle was acquired. The Insurance sheet must also include:
  • Actual cash value
  • Type of loss
  • Damage estimate
  • Year, make and serial number
  • If there is a lien on the face of the title, it must be properly satisfied prior to issuance of salvage title
Agency locations where salvage titles are issued:
  • Requests for Salvage Titles can only be processed at select motor vehicle agencies. Download the complete list of salvage title agency locations [pdf]:
  • EATONTOWN
  • FLEMINGTON
  • MANAHAWKIN
  • NORTH BERGEN
  • RUNNEMEDE
  • SALEM
  • SOMERVILLE
  • WASHINGTON
  • TRENTON (*mail only)

A SALVAGE TITLE WITH  A "STOLEN" STOP

For the MVC to process a salvage title with a stolen stop on it,  the following documentation must be submitted:

  • An insurance listing sheet or letter, on insurance company letterhead, explaining that the vehicle for which a salvage titled is requested is an un-recovered theft and that a salvage title must be issued in order for the insurance company to close the claim associated with the loss.
  • The insurance listing sheet or letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the insurance company and must  include:  the type of loss (unrecovered theft), the vehicle owner's name, and the year, make, make, and  serial number of the vehicle reported as being stolen.
  • Actual cash value of the vehicle on the insurance listing sheet.
  • A copy of the police report issued by the police department listed on the stolen stop.
  • An original NJ title, with all areas properly filled out.
  • A properly completed Power of Attorney;  if applicable.

To request a salvage title, insurance company (by mail only):
Follow the step-by-step guide [pdf] to salvage title applications by insurance companies when a vehicle owner fails to remit an original title:

  • Claim was paid to the owner
  • Official request for title was sent
  • Vehicle is a total loss (salvage)
  • Lien satisfied, if applicable
  • Owner has not complied with official request to send title to insurance company

To request a salvage or junk title, in the salvage processor’s name (by mail only):
Follow the step-by-step guide [pdf] to obtain a salvage or junk title by the salvage processor:

  • Claim was paid to the owner
  • Vehicle is a total loss (salvage)
  • Lien satisfied, if applicable
  • Certified lien search, if applicable
  • Insurer has not taken ownership of the vehicle
  • Insurer has authorized the salvage processor to release the vehicle to the owner or lienholder
  • Notice sent to owner and any lienholder that the insurer has authorized the salvage processor to release the vehicle
  • Owner or lienholder has not claimed the vehicle with 60 days from the date of notification by the salvage processor

Hurricane Sandy

*Follow the modified step-by-step guide [pdf] to salvage title applications by insurance companies when a vehicle owner fails to remit an original title:

Mail required documentation to:
NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Special Title/Salvage Unit
225 E State Street
PO Box 017
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0017

To request a salvage title submitted by an insurance company* for an out-of-state vehicle, you must have the following:
  • Out-of-state title properly assigned to the insurance company
  • $60 title fee – no penalty fee on out-of-state title. If there is a New Jersey Dealer Reassignment with a late date, the fee is $25
  • Completed ISM/SS-61 form, with New Jersey Sales Tax Satisfied stamp
  • Insurance listing sheet (BA-28), statement from insurance company as to how the vehicle was acquired
  • If there is a lien on the face of the title, it must be properly satisfied prior to issuance of salvage title
  • Letter on official letterhead from out-of-state insurance company for each vehicle, stating that they are licensed to do business and write policies in New Jersey. Letter must also include:
  • Year, make and model
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • An explanation as to why you are requesting a salvage New Jersey title

* Salvage titles will only be issued to out-of-state insurance companies if they are authorized to do business in New Jersey.

To convert a salvage title to a standard title on a vehicle eight years or older that does not need an inspection, you must have the following:
  • Salvage Title
  • $60 title fee
  • Before and after photos of the vehicle – all sides
  • Receipts for parts with full vehicle description, year, make and VIN
  • Work order
  • Damage report from insurance company
You must submit all of the required documents to:
NJVMC Special Title Unit
PO Box 017
Trenton, NJ 08666-0017
(609) 292-6500 ext. 5063

Transactions will not be done while customer waits. Processing time for these transactions will take a minimum of three weeks.


Possible reasons your title may be rejected:
  • Incomplete assignment
  • Improper fees, penalties
  • Alterations, erasures, etc.
  • Improper signatures – power of attorney
  • Incorrect or missing supporting documents (police reports, statements, estimates, etc.)
  • NOTE: We do not issue titles to out-of-state residents





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New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 160
Trenton, NJ 08666
(609) 292-6500
TTY (609) 292-5120

Last Updated: August 24, 2016