§1164. Theft vehicles.

(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 less than the replacement value of 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.

Notation

Cross References.  Section 1164 is referred to in section 6308 of this title.