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Written by:
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

A restored title is the same as a rebuilt title. Different states have different names for branded vehicles instead of clean titles. There is the salvage title, which is not allowed on the roadway, and then what some call a rebuilt title, reconstructed title or restored title.

Can I get full coverage on a restored title vehicle?

Yes, it is possible to get full coverage, but only with some car insurance companies.

A rebuilt/restored title typically means that the vehicle was found to be salvaged, say after a motor vehicle accident where the car insurance company totaled it out but the car was repaired or restored to working condition. In most states, the vehicle must pass a mandatory state inspection to get a restored title back on the road.

Arizona is one state that uses the term “restored title.” They define a restored salvage vehicle as one previously issued a certificate of title branded as salvage title but has now been repaired/restored, then inspected for roadworthiness and issued a title branded as restored salvage.

In Arizona, to change over a salvage title for a restored title, you must pass a Level III inspection, the state’s highest level inspection. For restored salvage vehicles, this inspection is conducted by specially certified Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) agents, costing $50. If the car passes and the owner has the proper registration and title documents, they can pay fees and get the car back on the road with a restored salvage title.

In other states, the car owner must undergo a similar process when one wants a restored or rebuilt title. Once the vehicle is allowed to be back on the road, it will need at least the state’s minimum liability coverage, but if the car has enough value and you want it, then you can seek full coverage insurance.

Compare car insurance companies to find a company that will insure a vehicle with a rebuilt/restored title. 

Laura Longero

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

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John McCormick

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John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

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Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.