Iowa Transportation Commission Updates Rules on Salvaged Vehicles

(Radio Iowa) The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved new rules that align with a change by state lawmakers determining when a car or truck involved in a wreck needs a salvage title. DOT Motor Vehicle Division director, Melissa Gillett, presented the change.

“This legislation increased the threshold for issuing a salvage vehicle title designation when the cost of the repair of a wrecked or salvaged motor vehicle exceeds 70 percent of the fair market value of the vehicle,” she says. Gillett says it ups the damage needed for a salvage title.

She says the threshold for a salvage title previously required damage of up to 50 percent of the cost of the vehicle. Gillett says the rules also clarified how the damage will be figured.

“The changes also incorporate comments received from insurance auto auctions and Copart to clarify that damage levels will be confirmed by the direct entity with direct knowledge of the damage — such as an insurance provider or vehicle repair facility,” according to Gillett. The Transportation Commission approved the change at its meeting Tuesday in Ames.