Yes, it is possible to buy back your vehicle in Pennsylvania if the insurance company that totals out your vehicle allows it.

Many insurers will allow you to keep or buy back the car for salvage value if you request it, but this may vary from carrier to carrier. In these situations, the insurer may deduct the salvaged (buy back) amount from your totaled loss settlement amount when they send you the check for the value of your car. Or if you still owe a lien holder you would have to pay the insurer the buy back amount yourself.

If you are able to buy back your vehicle than it would have a salvage title and you would need to have it repaired to get a reconstructed vehicle title and get it back on the road. In PA a reconstructed vehicle is defined as a vehicle, other than an antique or classic vehicle, for which a certificate of salvage was issued and is thereafter restored to operating condition to meet the vehicle equipment and inspection standards.

Pennsylvania Form MV-426B is the application for reconstructed vehicle in PA. Here it notes as one of the items needed for the application in this type of case is a:

Retention (buy-back) letter from insurance company if vehicle was totaled and retained by the applicant for the purpose of re-titling it. This letter (on the insurance company or insurance agent's letterhead) should indicate the amount deducted from the insurance pay-off (settlement) to allow the insured to retain the vehicle.

As part of the process to get a reconstructed vehicle title you would need to put the vehicle through an enhanced inspection. The state notes that some vehicles may require the replacement of few or no components in order to restore them to roadworthy condition. For example, an older model vehicle may have body damage sufficient to cause the vehicle to be declared a total loss. However, the damage may be minor enough to pass the enhanced inspection process without replacement of the damaged components.

PennDOT states that if there is no visible damage to a salvage vehicle and the owner claims no work was required to reconstruct the vehicle, enhanced inspection stations may contact PennDOT’s Special Services Unit to request assistance in researching the vehicle history to determine if the MV-426B application should be processed.

While it can be hard to get insurance for a car with a rebuilt title CarInsurance.com can offer an insurance policy on salvage and rebuilt (reconstructed) titles with Progressive.

All you have to do is enter your zip code here and get a quote. At the end of your quote, select Progressive and we will ask all the necessary questions to determine eligibility and get you a policy.