(1)
What are total loss, destroyed, salvage, and wrecked vehicles? For
the purposes of this section:
(a) A total loss
vehicle is one whose destruction has been reported to the department as
described in RCW 46.12.600 by an insurer (insurance companies and self-insurers
as described in RCW 46.29.630 );
(b)
A destroyed vehicle is one whose destruction has been reported to the
department as described in RCW 46.12.600 by the vehicle's owner;
(c) A salvage vehicle as defined in
RCW
46.04.514;
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Note:
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When used in this section, the terms "destroyed" and
"destroyed vehicle" include total loss, destroyed, and salvage
vehicles.
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(d) A
wrecked vehicle as defined in
RCW 46.80.010(6).
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Note:
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A vehicle may be considered destroyed or wrecked when
the evidence of ownership is a salvage certificate/title, insurance company
bill of sale, or wrecker bill of sale from any jurisdiction, or when the
evidence of ownership indicates the vehicle may be a destroyed vehicle not
reported to the department.
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(2)
How are vehicles reported to the
department as total loss, destroyed, salvage, or wrecked?
(a) Insurers may report total loss vehicles
to the department:
(i) Electronically through
the department's online reporting system. Insurers must destroy ownership
documents for a vehicle reported this way; or
(ii) By submitting the certificate of title
or affidavit in lieu of title indicating the vehicle is "DESTROYED";
or
(iii) By submitting a completed
total loss claim settlement form.
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Note:
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Reports of total loss vehicles must include the
insurer's name, address, and the date of loss.
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(b) Registered or legal owners report a
vehicle as destroyed by submitting the certificate of title or affidavit in
lieu of title indicating the vehicle is "DESTROYED," and must include the
registered owner's name, address, and date of loss.
(c) Licensed wreckers report wrecked vehicles
as required in RCW 46.80.090.
(d)
For vehicles six through 20 years old a statement whether or not the vehicle
meets the market value threshold amount as defined in RCW 46.12.600 is also
required.
(3)
What
is the current market value threshold amount? The current market value
threshold amount is $8,230.
(4)
How is the market value threshold amount determined? Using the
current market value threshold amount described in RCW 46.12.600 each year the
department will add the increased value if the increase is equal to or greater
than $50.
(5)
What if the
"market value threshold amount" is not provided as required? If the
market value threshold amount is not provided when required, the department
would treat the report of destruction as if the market value threshold as
described in
RCW 46.12.600 has been met. The certificate of title will be
branded according to WAC
308-56A-530.
(6)
What documentation is required to
obtain a certificate of title after a vehicle is destroyed? After a
vehicle has been reported destroyed or wrecked and is rebuilt, you must submit
the following documentation to the department in order to obtain a new
certificate of title:
(a) Application for
certificate of title as described in RCW 46.12.530;
(b) Certificate of vehicle inspection as
described in WAC
308-56A-150;
(c)
Bill of sale from the insurer, owner, or wrecker who reported the vehicle's
destruction to the department.
(i) Bills of
sale from insurers must include a representative's signature and title of
office;
(ii) Bills of sale from
insurers and wreckers do not need to be notarized;
(iii) Bills of sale from owners shown on
department records must be notarized or certified;
(iv) A bill of sale is not required when
owners shown on department records retain a destroyed vehicle and apply for a
new certificate of ownership;
(v)
Releases of interest from lien holder(s) or proof of payment such as a canceled
check bearing a notation that it has been paid by the bank on which it was
drawn or a notarized statement on a receipt from the legal owner that the debt
is satisfied are required when the vehicle is retained by the registered
owner(s).
(d) Odometer
disclosure statement, if applicable.
(7)
What is required of a Washington
licensed vehicle dealer prior to selling a destroyed or wrecked vehicle?
Except as permitted by
RCW 46.70.101(1)(b)(viii), before a dealer may sell a
destroyed or wrecked vehicle under their Washington vehicle dealer license, the
dealer must:
(a) Rebuild the vehicle to
standards set by the state of Washington or the federal government pertaining
to the construction and safety of vehicles; and
(b) Obtain a vehicle inspection by the
Washington state patrol; and
(c)
Apply for and receive a certificate of ownership for the vehicle, issued in the
name of the vehicle dealer.
(8)
Once a destroyed or wrecked vehicle
is rebuilt, do the license plates remain with the vehicle? Whether or
not the license plates remain with the vehicle depends on the circumstance:
(a) Standard issue license plates may remain
with a destroyed vehicle unless they are severely damaged or the vehicle was
issued a department temporary permit described in WAC
308-56A-140;
(b) Replacement license plates are required
for wrecked vehicles since Washington licensed wreckers are required by WAC
308-63-070 to remove them;
(c)
Special license plates may remain with or be transferred to a destroyed or
wrecked vehicle;
(d) Applicants may
retain the current license plate number as provided for in
RCW 46.16A.200,
unless the vehicle was issued a department temporary permit as described in WAC
308-56A-140.
(9)
Will the certificate of ownership or registration certificate indicate
"WA REBUILT"? Salvage or wrecked vehicles meeting the criteria described
in WAC
308-56A-530 will be branded "WA REBUILT."
Notes
Wash. Admin. Code § 308-56A-460
Amended by
WSR
19-13-008, Filed 6/6/2019, effective
7/7/2019
Amended by
WSR
20-19-113, Filed 9/21/2020, effective
10/22/2020
Amended by
WSR
22-02-056, Filed 1/4/2022, effective
2/4/2022
Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110 and
46.12.600. 12-20-032, §
308-56A-460, filed 9/27/12, effective 10/28/12; 11-22-034, § 308-56A-460,
filed 10/26/11, effective 11/26/11. Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110. 10-19-045, § 308-56A-460,
filed 9/13/10, effective 10/14/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.12.005 and
46.01.110. 09-19-113, §
308-56A-460, filed 9/22/09, effective 10/23/09. Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110. 04-08-080, § 308-56A-460,
filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04; 02-19-016, § 308-56A-460, filed 9/9/02,
effective 10/10/02; 01-20-010, § 308-56A-460, filed 9/20/01, effective
10/21/01. Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110 and 46.12.070. 00-06-025, §
308-56A-460, filed 2/23/00, effective 3/25/00. Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110. 92-15-024, § 308-56A-460,
filed 7/6/92, effective 8/6/92. Statutory Authority:
RCW
46.01.110 and 46.12.070. 91-04-025, §
308-56A-460, filed 1/29/91, effective 3/1/91; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-460,
filed 7/31/74.
