Section Saf-C 1922.01 - Motor Vehicle Declared a Total Loss(a) When an insurance company declares a motor vehicle, other than an exempt vehicle, as provided in RSA 261:3, as a total loss, the company shall make application for a salvage certificate of title on form TDMV 24, "Application for Salvage Certificate", (rev. 03/19) within 20 days of payment.(b) The insurance company shall furnish the following to the bureau, along with form TDMV 24: (1) The previous owner's properly assigned certificate of title, pursuant to Saf-C 1903.02; and(2) The appropriate fee, pursuant to RSA 261:20.(c) Upon receipt of the completed application and fee, the bureau shall issue a salvage certificate of title to the insurance company or, if the insurance company requests, to the owner, in the event the vehicle remains in the possession of the owner. When properly executed, the salvage certificate of title shall be a valid instrument to convey an interest in the vehicle.(d) An insurance firm or representative having made a total loss payment on a non-exempt as provided in RSA 261:3, can apply for and receive a certificate of title pursuant to the procedures and circumstances described in RSA 261:22, II-a.(e) Any owner who reconstructs or restores a total loss salvage motor vehicle to its operating condition as it existed prior to the event which caused a salvage title to be issued under this chapter or the laws of another state, or who recovers a total loss salvage motor vehicle if stolen, shall submit the vehicle for inspection by a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the director, pursuant to RSA 261:22, IV prior to the registration or sale of said vehicle and shall make application to the Bureau for a certificate of title by furnishing the following to the bureau: (1) A properly executed application for title, form TDMV 23, "Application for Certificate of Title", (rev. 07/19) or TDMV 23B, "Application for Certificate of Title", (rev. 07/18), prepared by the local town or city clerk, or lienholder, as provided in Saf-C 1903.01(a);(2) The properly assigned salvage certificate of title;(3) A properly executed vehicle identification number report, form DSMV 547, "Vehicle Identification", (rev. 04/12); and(4) The appropriate fee, pursuant to RSA 261:20.(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, upon application for a 20-day registration, a single nonrenewable 20-day registration shall be issued to a resident to transport a repaired vehicle to an authorized salvage inspection location. If the repaired vehicle fails the salvage inspection, an application for a single nonrenewable 20-day registration shall be approved for one additional registration.(g) Pursuant to (f) above, a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the director shall include the following as part of an inspection to determine if a vehicle has been restored to its operating condition which existed prior to the event which caused a salvage title to be issued, as provided in RSA 261:22, IV: (1) Verification of the vehicle identification number;(2) Bills of sale, titles, or repair receipts for major component parts used to rebuild the vehicle;(3) The insurance adjuster's collision report which details the damage sustained to the vehicle and determines that the vehicle was declared a total loss; or(4), A notarized statement, from the individual who conducted the necessary repairs of the vehicle, which details the damage sustained to the vehicle and the repairs that were made.(h) In addition to (g) above, a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the director shall conduct an inspection of the following items on the vehicle pursuant to (f) above, to ensure that:(1) Hood bumpers and doors open and shut properly with both primary and secondary hinges being undamaged;(2) Windshield and other vehicle glass is in compliance with New Hampshire inspection laws and rules;(3) The vehicle identification number is visible;(4) Seatbelts are functioning and in good condition;(5) If airbags were equipped on the vehicle from the factory, airbags are functioning, through electronic verification;(6) Seats are mounted properly and are undamaged;(7) Windshield wipers, washers, defrosters, and interior heating are functioning;(8) Sun visor and rearview mirror are in the proper location and operational;(9) Steering and suspension are functioning and undamaged;(10) ABS system is functioning;(11) Body panels do not hinder doors or the operation of other parts of the vehicle;(12) Body panels do not protrude or cause a hazard to pedestrians; and(13) Frames and undercarriage are free of excessive rust that might hinder the structural integrity of the frame or prevent the ability to secure any item attached to it.(i) In addition to (g) above, a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the director shall conduct an inspection of the following items on the vehicle pursuant to (e) above, to ensure that:(1) Seatbelts are functioning and in good condition;(2) If airbags were equipped on the vehicle from the factory, airbags are functioning, through electronic verification;(3) Seats are mounted properly and are undamaged; and(4) Sun visor(s) are in the proper location and operational.(j) Pursuant to (e)(3) above, the vehicle identification number report shall be executed by a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the director and shall serve as verification that the inspection pursuant to RSA 261:22, IV has been completed.(k) Each salvage vehicle decal affixed to a salvage vehicle shall be printed with a statement indicating that removing or causing the decal to be removed shall be subject to penalties prescribed pursuant to RSA 261:22, V.(l) The applicant for a title to a rebuilt vehicle shall complete a salvage affidavit, form DSMV 545A, "Salvaged Motor Vehicle Affidavit Application", (Rev 03/23), stating that the damage identified in (g)(3) and (4) above has been corrected and the vehicle has been rebuilt to meet the criteria set forth in this section.N.H. Admin. Code § Saf-C 1922.01
#4823, eff 6-1-90; ss by #4981, eff 11-16-90; ss by #6293, eff 7-23-96; ss by #8123, INTERIM, eff 7-17-04, EXPIRED: 1-13-05
New. #8339, eff 4-26-05; ss by #10190, eff 9-27-12
Amended by Number 19, Filed May 11, 2023, Proposed by #13614, Effective 4/25/2023, Expires 4/25/2033.