Who is considered the owner of a salvage vehicle?

In the context of salvage vehicles, the owner is typically recognized as the insurer. When a vehicle is declared a total loss due to damage or theft, the insurance company pays the policyholder for the loss. At that point, the vehicle’s ownership transfers from the insured individual to the insurer, who then becomes responsible for the salvaged asset.

This arrangement allows the insurer to handle the vehicle according to their policies, which may include selling it to recover some costs. The insured, while having received compensation for the loss, no longer holds ownership rights to the vehicle once the claim is settled. Thus, it is the insurer who is considered the owner of the salvage vehicle, as they take possession of it following the conclusion of the insurance claim process.