My Integra Type R was stolen. Two weeks later, police found the shell in a ravine. No engine, no seats, no wheels. Just a bare metal skeleton. State Farm offered me $5,000, claiming that’s what a “Salvage Integra” is worth. I fought back. The shell is the car. The VIN tags are the value. I negotiated a $35,000 payout.
Key Takeaways
- Constructive Total Loss: If the cost to replace the missing parts exceeds the value, it’s a total loss.
- The Shell Has Value: For rare cars, the VIN and clean title are worth money. Don’t let them value it as “Scrap Metal.”
- The “Parts” List: You must provide a detailed list of what was missing to prove the “Cost to Repair” is high enough to trigger the total loss payout.
- Buying Back the Shell: Always buy back a rare shell. You can rebuild it or sell the title/shell to a restorer for more than the buyback price.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Salvage Valuation
The adjuster looks at the shell and sees junk.
They try to pay you the “ACV of the Shell” (low) rather than the “ACV of the Whole Car minus Salvage” (high).
You want the Total Loss payout (Agreed Value). You do not want a partial repair check.
[IMAGE: Photo of a stripped car shell on blocks next to a photo of the complete car]
The Investigation: I Called Them
How do they value a stripped chassis?
1. Independent Appraiser
- Strategy: “We value the car as it was moments before theft.”
- Valuation: $40,000 (Pre-theft value).
- Calculation: Repair cost (Parts + Labor) = $55,000. Therefore, Total Loss.
- Payout: $40,000.
2. Standard Adjuster
- Strategy: “It’s found. It’s not a total loss theft anymore. It’s a damage claim.”
- Trap: They try to write an estimate to “fix” it using cheap used parts, potentially falling short of the Total Loss threshold (75% of value).
Comparison Table
| Strategy | Insurer Logic | Your Goal |
| Valuation | ACV of Shell ($5k) | Pre-Theft Value ($40k) |
| Outcome | Partial Payout | Total Loss Payout |
| Disposition | You keep shell | You get check + option to buy shell |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Demand Total Loss: Submit a repair estimate using OEM New Parts prices. This will easily exceed the car’s value, forcing them to Total it.
- Prove Pre-Theft Condition: Send photos of the car taken the week before theft. Prove it was mint.
- Buy Back the Shell: If the buyback is $2,000, pay it. A clean-title Type R shell is worth $10,000+.
- Inspect the VIN: Ensure the thieves didn’t drill out the VIN rivets. If VIN is tampered, the car might be seized as contraband.
FAQ Section
Does a theft recovery get a salvage title?
If the insurer pays a Total Loss claim? Yes, usually.
If you accept a partial repair check? Maybe not (depends on state % damage laws).
What if they find the engine later?
The insurer owns it (since they paid you for it). You can try to buy it from them.
Can I fix it myself?
Yes, if you buy it back. But you’ll need to pass a “Rebuilt Inspection” to tag it.