Does GEICO Insure Rebuilt Titles?

GEICO offers liability-only and full coverage for rebuilt vehicles—but there are special requirements for the latter.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
background
If you need car insurance for your rebuilt salvage vehicle, GEICO offers both liability-only and full-coverage plans.  
  • GEICO car insurance
    will cover rebuilt titles (but not salvage titles).
  • Prepare to show proof of repairs and a statement from the mechanic when applying for your insurance.
  • Liability insurance only may be the best choice for a rebuilt vehicle, but it depends on your situation.
  • Rebuilt-title insurance
    is more expensive than standard car insurance due to the risks associated with a once-totaled car.

Does GEICO insure rebuilt-title cars?

Yes! GEICO is one of a handful of insurance providers that offer car insurance coverage for rebuilt-title cars without a clean title.
Coverage options: If you’re just looking to adhere to your state laws for
minimum insurance requirements
, GEICO can provide basic
liability coverage
for your rebuilt-title vehicle. However, other options like collision and comprehensive coverage are also available.  
Title requirements: Before you can get an auto insurance policy for a rebuilt salvage vehicle, you need to make sure you get your
rebuilt title
from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you’ve restored your car but still have a salvage title, you won’t be able to purchase auto insurance from GEICO.

Can you buy GEICO full-coverage insurance for rebuilt titles?

Yes. GEICO does offer
full-coverage auto insurance
options for rebuilt salvage cars. 
However, drivers who want one of these advanced coverage policies have to do a little extra work. In most cases, your insurance agent will need the following:
  • An original estimate: This should include details about the damage to your car and the cost of repairs made during the restoration process.
  • Photos: Photo documentation of your car before and after it was repaired.
  • Statement: A certified mechanic’s statement from a certified technician confirming that your car is in working order.
  • VIN: The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Title copy: A copy of your rebuilt title issued by the DMV.
As long as you can provide the necessary documentation, GEICO can provide you with a full-coverage policy that includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability,
comprehensive coverage
, and
collision coverage
Hint: Full coverage is the best car insurance you can get if you want the ultimate protection from car accidents and other incidents (like weather-related damage or
vehicle theft
).

How much does rebuilt-title insurance cost?

Higher rates: Rebuilt salvage vehicles usually have higher insurance rates than vehicles with clean titles, regardless of which insurance agency you choose. 
Rebuilt-title cars are more likely to have mechanical problems or hidden damage, so their drivers are statistically more likely to get into an accident and file an insurance claim.
Also, with rebuilt salvage title cars, the car’s market
value
is often lower than the cost of full-coverage auto insurance. So if you're looking for
cheap car insurance
, a liability-only plan might be the best choice for you. 
Of course, exact insurance costs vary from driver to driver. Driving record is a key element that goes into calculating car insurance rates. 
Before you buy a policy, collect free auto insurance quotes and compare rates between GEICO and other auto insurance companies that offer rebuilt-title coverage, such as
Progressive
,
State Farm
,
Allstate
,
USAA
, or 21st Century. 
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FAQs

If you want to drive the vehicle again and have it legally insured, you’ll need to get a rebuilt title. Car insurance companies will not insure a totaled car (aka salvage title vehicle), and you cannot legally drive one on public roads.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with buying a rebuilt title car, there is always the potential for more to be wrong with it than meets the eye. 
It's not uncommon for major problems to resurface in rebuilt title cars and leave you stuck paying for repair after repair. When buying a rebuilt title car, it’s best to proceed with caution.
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