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Iowa: total loss threshold and rebuilt title rules
What Iowa’s own pages print, word for word. Kind of rule, by our sorting: Percentage.
This is a reference to quoted official text, not legal, tax, insurance or professional advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency before acting.
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When is a vehicle salvage or a total loss in Iowa, in the state’s words?
““wrecked or salvage vehicle” means a damaged motor vehicle subject to registration for which the cost of repair exceeds seventy percent of the fair market value of the vehicle, as determined in accordance with rules adopted by the department, before the vehicle became damaged.”
Citation as the page prints it: 321.52 Out-of-state sales — junked, dismantled, wrecked, or salvage vehicles.
(Iowa Code 321.52, read November 11, 2026)
The statute and the Department of Transportation page print different examination fees. Both are quoted.
Compare your figures with Iowa’s quoted rule
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How do you get a rebuilt title in Iowa, in the state’s words?
“A salvage theft examination shall be made by a peace officer who has been specially certified and recertified when required by the Iowa law enforcement academy to do salvage theft examinations.”
“The owner must be present for the examination and have available for inspection the salvage title, bills of sale for all essential parts changed, if applicable, and the repair affidavit.”
“Iowa law requires the vehicle to be physically examined by a peace officer who has been certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy before a rebuilt title can be issued.”
What fee does Iowa print?
“The owner shall pay a fee of fifty dollars at the time the examination is scheduled.”
“The $53 exam fee must be paid online by credit card to complete the approval process prior to inspection.”
Read each fee sentence for what it covers: an inspection, a title, or something else.
Which form does Iowa name?
“you will need go to the website to complete the Affidavit of Salvage Vehicle Repairs form.”
Where are Iowa’s official pages?
Every quote above was matched word for word against its page on November 11, 2026. If one has changed, tell us.