What is a branded car title?

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by tjs44

FYI,I ended up with a branded title on my 2006 Silverado.The truck was stolen and and recovered 2 days later.The wheels and tires and Apple car play radio were removed.The estimate to put it back as it was turned out to be more than 50% of the value so the insurance company "totaled"it.They paid off my truck($3000)gave me a check for $8000 and gave me the truck back?What is wrong with this picture?Cost me $4000 to put it back as it was when stolen.Not a scratch on the truck.Now I have a salvaged title on the truck.Tom

Once an insurance co has paid out a total loss amount, the vehicle is branded as totaled/salvage. I agree, there could be different levels of salvage, such as stolen and recovered, not damaged.
The HHR I bought several years ago was totaled and I had it rebuilt at work. I did need to send photos of it to my insurance co and copies of all the parts/repair done to it. I included the cut sheet and parts/labor on a shop invoice and I never had an issue getting it insured and for the same amount as if never damaged, but they do certified level of repair on late model cars that insurance Co's send to them. The increase in that traffic has tripled with the current lack of cars to replace damaged ones and insurance Co's are repairing cars they would have written off as totaled just 12-16 months ago.