Salvage Retention Decision Worksheet (Template)
Salvage retention can pay off or be a costly mistake, depending on the math. This worksheet captures every factor — repair cost, salvage value, rebuilt-title resale haircut, and ongoing insurance limitations — so you can decide with eyes open.
What this template asks for
The worksheet asks for the insurer's ACV, salvage value and deductible, an independent body shop's repair estimate, your estimate of the vehicle's resale value with a rebuilt title, and what your insurer will cover on a rebuilt-title vehicle.
This template is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
The form below is free to use. If you'd rather we do the appraisal itself: The Appointed Appraiser Service is $495. It includes the Appraisal Research, our appointment as your appraiser under the appraisal clause of your policy, if it has one, determining the amount of loss with your insurer's appraiser, and the appraisal award letter. At least $1,000 more than your insurer's offer, or your $495 fee is waived, once we accept your consultation. We pre-authorize your card only after we accept your consultation, so there's no upfront payment.
What this involves, honestly
Salvage retention math is highly state-specific (rebuilt-title rules vary, and the haircut on resale ranges from 25-40%). The worksheet below walks the math; if any of the inputs are uncertain, we'll run the numbers for free.
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Loading…Anything still wrapped in [BRACKETS] you haven't filled in yet — that's how you can spot what's left.
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SALVAGE RETENTION DECISION WORKSHEET
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VEHICLE
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Year/Make/Model/Trim: ____________________________________________
Mileage: ______________
Pre-loss ACV: $______________
THE INSURER'S OFFER
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Standard total-loss settlement (ACV minus deductible):
ACV: $______________
Less deductible: -$______________
Net cash to you: $______________
Owner-retain settlement:
ACV: $______________
Less salvage value: -$______________
Less deductible: -$______________
Net cash to you (retain): $______________
Difference (you keep car): $______________
REPAIR COST ESTIMATE
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From a written estimate by an independent body shop. Include parts, labor,
and any frame/structural work.
Parts: $______________
Labor: $______________
Paint / refinish: $______________
Frame / structural (if any) $______________
Mechanical / drivetrain: $______________
Detail / cleanup: $______________
Subtotal: $______________
10% contingency: $______________
Total repair cost: $______________
REBUILT-TITLE RESALE HAIRCUT
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Rebuilt-titled vehicles typically sell for 60-75% of an equivalent
clean-title vehicle. Estimate post-repair market value:
Post-repair clean-title equivalent: $______________
Rebuilt-title haircut percentage: ______ %
Estimated rebuilt resale value: $______________
RUNNING THE MATH
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Net cash from retention: $______________ (from above)
Plus rebuilt resale value: $______________
Minus repair cost: -$______________
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Total value if you retain: $______________
Net cash from the standard settlement, for comparison:
Standard cash: $______________
Retention math total: $______________
INSURANCE LIMITATIONS
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Most insurers will cover liability on rebuilt-titled vehicles but
restrict comprehensive/collision. What your insurer says:
Will my insurer cover liability on rebuilt-title? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Will my insurer cover comp/coll on rebuilt-title? [ ] Yes [ ] No
What is the rate impact? ____________________
STATE REBUILT-TITLE RULES
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Some states have restrictive rebuilt-title rules (e.g. mandatory
inspections, branded titles that follow the vehicle forever, lower
resale ceilings). Check your state's DMV website.
State rebuilt-title rules verified: [ ] Yes
FACTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND THE OFFER
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Frame damage or airbag deployment: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Damage is cosmetic or mechanical only: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Aftermarket equipment you want to keep: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Salvage value the insurer quoted: $______________
Insurer's written basis for the salvage value: [ ] Received [ ] Not received
Written repair quote from a body shop: [ ] Yes [ ] No
YOUR DECISION
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[ ] Keep the vehicle (owner-retain)
[ ] Take the standard settlement
Have a SecondAppraisal advisor call you
Stuck on a step, want a sanity check, or ready to just hand it off? Check the box and we'll call within 24 hours on weekdays. No charge to talk; no obligation.
If you'd like us to do the appraisal itself, see the Appointed Appraiser Service.