(a) General rule.--Upon payment to the insured of the replacement value for a theft vehicle, the owner or insurer shall apply for a certificate of salvage branded as a theft vehicle.

(b) Assessing damage on recovered theft vehicles.--If a theft vehicle has been recovered, the vehicle shall be assessed as to the level of damage at the time of recovery by an insurer or licensed physical damage appraiser:

(1) If the cost of repairs exceeds the replacement value of the vehicle, the theft-branded certificate of salvage shall serve as an ownership document. If the vehicle thereafter passes the reconstructed salvage vehicle inspection requirements under section 1165 (relating to reconstructed vehicles), it shall receive a certificate of title branded reconstructed and recovered-theft vehicle.

(2) If the cost of repairs is more than 50% of the replacement value of the vehicle and the owner elects to retain title to the vehicle, the owner shall apply for a certificate of title branded recovered-theft vehicle. A legible copy of the vehicle damage appraisal report completed by an insurer or licensed physical damage appraiser must accompany an application under this paragraph. The damage appraisal report shall include the replacement value of the vehicle.

(3) If an owner has received a certificate of salvage branded as a theft vehicle after a payment has been made and the stolen vehicle is located and thereafter passes an inspection by a licensed physical damage appraiser in which the damage does not rise to the level of paragraph (2), the owner may apply to the department for an unbranded title. A legible copy of the vehicle damage appraisal report completed by an insurer or licensed physical damage appraiser must accompany an application under this paragraph. The damage appraisal report shall include the replacement value of the vehicle.

(4) An individual who has not been paid the replacement value for the vehicle and has not received a certificate of salvage may use the existing certificate of title without applying for a new title.

(c) Self-insurer requirement.--If the insurer is a self-insurer, the assessment of damage under this section shall be completed by a licensed physical damage appraiser who is not affiliated with or employed by the self-insurer.

(June 28, 2018, P.L.498, No.74, eff. 180 days)

2018 Amendment. Act 74 amended subsec. (b) and added subsec. (c).

Cross References. Section 1164 is referred to in sections 1106, 6308 of this title.