Retaining Ownership of a Car with a Salvage Title
I recently faced an issue with my 2003 Nissan Maxima, which State Farm has classified as a total loss due to their insured’s liability. My car already had a salvage title before the accident. As a result, they are saying that I cannot retain ownership of the vehicle because of its prior salvage status.
I’m looking for any insights or advice on this situation. Has anyone encountered something similar in Ohio? Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your situation with your car. In Ohio, the rules surrounding salvage titles and total loss vehicles can be a bit convoluted. Generally, if a vehicle is declared a total loss due to an accident (especially when it already has a salvage title), the insurance company may argue that the car cannot be retained by the owner because they may be liable for prior damage or safety concerns.
It might be helpful to review the specifics of Ohio’s salvage title laws and the terms of your policy with State Farm. Sometimes, insurance companies have specific guidelines regarding vehicles with salvage titles. You may want to contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for clarification or seek advice from a local attorney or an insurance expert who specializes in auto claims.
If you haven’t already, you could also ask State Farm if there are any exceptions, or if there are any actions you can take to appeal their decision. Good luck, and I hope you find a resolution that works for you!