Total loss: Can we salvage expensive add-on parts

What are the options to salvage the parts from the wreck and re-use/re-sell them while still going with the total loss option? Does the Insurance company own the wreck completely once we claim Total-Loss cover and can they deny the owner access to the parts?

BHPian Ragul recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Just a hypothetical question. I have a lot of super expensive aftermarket parts installed in my car. Say there is an unfortunate accident and the car is deemed a total loss, but all the expensive aftermarket parts are still useable.

What are the options to salvage the parts from the wreck and re-use/re-sell them while still going with the total loss option? Does the Insurance company own the wreck completely once we claim Total-Loss cover and can they deny the owner access to the parts?

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

Logically, if you have insured these add-ons, then they belong to the insurance company.

However, it will be difficult to take out the stuff. In such a case, you may have to try round-about methods, and easier if done asap. From what I heard, a fellow member could not even take out the alloy wheels.

Here's what BHPian locusjag had to say on the matter:

In the claim settlement process, you should be asked to sign a form by the insurer which transfers the wreckage's title to the company for them to salvage and extract the money's worth from it. By that time, you would have seen a line-by-line calculation of how they evaluated the car's worth and the costs involved in bringing it back to its former state; if in that calculation, your accessories aren't involved, you can refuse to sign the aforementioned claim form until they agree to let you have the accessories.

But here's the kicker - are your add-ons/accessories even going to allow your claim to be paid in the first place? Please ask yourself that first.

If the add-ons are significant enough to warrant a RC endorsement, then that should be absolutely done. Failing this, the insurer can deem the vehicle to be illegal (for want of the RC endorsement) and reject the claim

If the add-ons can significantly alter the vehicle (in mechanical terms) so as to ostensibly cause accidents (ride height adjustments, suspension alterations, excessive wheel diameter modifications, engine re-maps etc.), your claim can be rejected. If a crash does occur, the insurer's claim adjustor/inspector will squarely place all the blame for the crash on such modifications and reject it. Your rejection rate will vary but these are sufficient grounds for rejection, regardless of your luck!

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