When a Car Is a Total Loss in Oregon
How Oregon decides a car is a total loss, salvage title rules, and how to complain about a claim.
Short answer: A "totaled vehicle" is one an insurer declares a total loss (or takes possession of or title to), an uninsured stolen vehicle not recovered within 30 days, or uninsured damage with estimated repair costs of at least 80% of pre-damage retail market value. Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 801.527, 819.012; Oregon DMV, Titling and Registering Your Vehicle
| Total loss rules | A "totaled vehicle" is one an insurer declares a total loss (or takes possession of or title to), an uninsured stolen vehicle not recovered within 30 days, or uninsured damage with estimated repair costs of at least 80% of pre-damage retail market value. The registered owner must surrender the title to DMV or the insurer within 30 days of the insurer's declaration (or otherwise notify DMV/surrender within 30 days). The salvage title fee is $27. Duty to surrender title: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors819.html; fee: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/vehicle/titlereg.aspx |
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| Complaints about an insurer | File a complaint online (or by print form by mail or fax) with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Consumer hotline 888-877-4894 (toll-free); fax 503-947-7862. |
More Oregon car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Oregon
- Driving Without Insurance in Oregon
- SR-22 Insurance in Oregon
- Transferring a Car Title in Oregon
- All Oregon car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
When is a car a total loss in Oregon?
A "totaled vehicle" is one an insurer declares a total loss (or takes possession of or title to), an uninsured stolen vehicle not recovered within 30 days, or uninsured damage with estimated repair costs of at least 80% of pre-damage retail market value. The registered owner must surrender the title to DMV or the insurer within 30 days of the insurer's declaration (or otherwise notify DMV/surrender within 30 days). The salvage title fee is $27.
How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Oregon?
File a complaint online (or by print form by mail or fax) with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Consumer hotline 888-877-4894 (toll-free); fax 503-947-7862.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.