Looking for website that would show law about using a VIN# for a junkyard car to get insurance discount?

Question

Someone mentioned a program called Polk that checks the VIN#'s on all kinds of vehicles.

I'm trying to find out if someone were to go to a junkyard and get a VIN# on a car, would they get caught? Would it be traced back that the car is in the junkyard?

Anyone know about the state of Connecticut?

It would be a multi-car discount without actually having to buy another car.

Answer 1

State of Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles
Bureau of Licensing and Registry-Bureau of Safety and Enforcement
On The Web At http://dmvct.org
Insurance companies have the authority to declare a vehicle a "total loss", but they are subject to
regulation by the State of Connecticut Insurance Department.
If your insurance company has determined that your vehicle is a "total loss' or the word "Salvage"
has been stamped on the title, it is illegal to operate this vehicle upon any road in Connecticut.
Technically, the registration on this vehicle has been cancelled. You should have removed the
plates from your vehicle.
The DMV is aware of the status of the vehicle, since your insurance company has sent us a copy
of the title stamped "Salvage".
The registration and plates on the salvaged vehicle can be transferred to another vehicle.
If you rebuild the salvaged vehicle (parts only; salvages cannot be rebuilt), you must re-title the
vehicle. The vehicle cannot, however, be re-titled until it passes a Salvage Inspection.
Salvaged vehicles will be inspected in the following four offices only: Enfield, Hamden, New
Britain and Wethersfield, Tuesday through Saturday, by appointment only. Please call our
Salvage Telephone Line at 860-263-5491 Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.
The DMV will assign a date, time and location for the inspection. If for any reason the
appointment cannot be kept, please contact DMV at the above number to cancel and/or
re-schedule the appointment.
The DMV will charge an inspection fee of $88 for a regular salvage inspection. If the vehicle has
never been registered in Connecticut, or if the vehicle is 10 years old or older, there is a $10
administrative fee which is paid at the time of registration. The owner (or person representing the
owner) must purchase and complete the DMV inspection Report (Form B-269) and have the
report form validated with the payment of $88 prior to presenting the vehicle for inspection.
Please be sure to allow enough time to purchase the form prior to your inspection appointment
time.
NOTE: A New York State salvage certificate (form MV907A) is not acceptable by the Connecticut
DMV.
Salvage Inspection Locations:
Salvaged (Totaled) Vehicles
SALVAGE INSPECTION INFORMATION SHEETS
B-256 REV. 10-2004
A private individual cannot drive or tow the salvaged vehicle to the DMV office. He can only bring it in
on a flat-bed trailer or car carrier (i.e., no wheel of the vehicle may touch the ground). The vehicle can
be driven/towed by a bona fide Dealer/Repairer employee with Dealer/Repair Plates only when the
dealer is the owner of the vehicle. However, if it fails inspection, it must be towed away on a flatbed
trailer.
The owner of a vehicle that has been declared "Salvage" cannot transfer ownership on an Application
for Duplicate Title (form H-6B). The owner must first obtain a duplicate title from the Title Division
which will bear the legend "Salvage." The owner may then assign the reverse side of the duplicate
title to the purchaser.
If the title is branded "Salvage Parts Only" or "Salvage Unrebuildable" or "Salvage Unrepairable" the
vehicle cannot be registered or re-titled under any circumstances.
Once the vehicle passes the salvage inspection, you can re-register the vehicle with the old plates or
obtain new plates. You will be issued a new title (without the "Salvage" stamp on it) with the words
"Rebuilt" printed on it. Once the salvage inspection is performed, the inspection slip does not expire.
Required Documents for a Salvage Inspection to be Presented to the Inspector at Time of
Inspection:
1. SALVAGED VEHICLE REPAIR REPORT (form K-186) - Salvaged vehicles purchased from a
dealer or repairer, or salvaged vehicles repaired following a settlement from an insurance
company, must have a Salvaged Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186) completed and presented at
the time of vehicle inspection. When a vehicle that has had any major component part replaced
in accord with industry standards is presented for inspection, the following procedures is to be
followed.
Departmental requirements for invoices/titles/receipts of parts/panels shall apply. The certification
for repair of salvage vehicles will then be signed and submitted with the completed Salvage
Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186).
2. PHOTOGRAPHS - Clear photographs of the repaired/replacement areas of the vehicles are to be
presented when inspected. The photographs must clearly show:
1. The entire vehicle by four photos, one for each vehicle corner i.e. left front,
right front, left rear, right rear.
2. The damaged area(s) prior to repairs.
3. The repaired areas with the new parts/panels installed prior to any seam sealing,
painting, or rust proofing.
4. How the new parts were attached (welding).
5. The area prior to painting and corrosion proofing (if the area is no longer visible).
These photographs must be attached to a DMV Salvage Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186).
This form must be completed and signed by licensee.
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3. AIR BAG CERTIFICATION STATEMENT (form B-303) - If the vehicle is equipped with an air
bag, a separate Air Bag Certification Statement (form B-303) will be required in all cases,
completed by a franchise dealer/repairer or a certified air bag technician with proof of
certification. This is required for all salvage inspections regardless if the airbag was
deployed or not.
4. INSURANCE ADJUSTER'S REPORT - A copy of the Insurance Adjuster's Report must be
presented at the time of inspection.
5. RECEIPTS FOR MAJOR COMPONENT PARTS - Receipts are required for any major
component parts that are replaced. Major component parts as defined in Connecticut State Law
Title 14 Sec. 14-149(a)(2) means one of the following parts of a motor vehicle: (A) The engine,
(B) the transmission, (C) the right or left front fender, (D) the hood, (E) a door allowing entrance to
or egress from the passenger compartment of the vehicle, (F) the front or rear bumper, (G) the
right or left rear quarter panel, (H) the deck lid, tailgate or hatchback, (I) the trunk floor pan, (J) the
cargo box of a pickup, (K) the frame, or if the vehicle has a unitized body, the supporting structure
or structures which serve as the frame, (L) the cab of a truck, (M) the body of a passenger vehicle,
or (N) any other part of a motor vehicle which the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines is
comparable in design or function to any of the parts listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive,
of this subdivision.
The receipts (or legible photo copies of the receipts) shall clearly indicate the name and address
of the source of the component parts and the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle
from which the respective component parts were removed.
NOTE: In a situation where a licensee's vehicle has a questionable repair, the undercoating,
sealer or parts may have to be removed at the request of the inspector.
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SALVAGE VEHICLE REPAIR REPORT
K-186 REV. 8-99 STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
On The Web at http://dmvct.org
ATTACH PHOTOGRAPH
(Please place vehicle VIN on back of photograph and initial it.)
ATTACH PHOTOGRAPH
(Please place vehicle VIN on back of photograph and initial it.)
SIGNATURE OF DEALER
X
DATE SIGNED
PRINTED NAME OF DEALER DEALER'S LICENSE NUMBER
I hereby certify, under penalty of false statement, that the information furnished above is true and complete to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
R E P A I R R E G U L A T I O N S A N D D E A L E R C E R T I F I C A T I O N
D E S C R I P T I O N O F V E H I C L E
This vehicle has been repaired with the equipment required under Section 14-63-4b of the Regulations of State Agencies using
the standards established by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, Tech-Cor Inc., or other similar organizations
including vehicle manufacturers. This is defined as:
YEAR MAKE MODEL
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)
DESCRIBE ANY REPAIR OR REPLACED PARTS BELOW
Please complete both sides of this form.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Apparatus permitting four (4) point clamping to secure the vehicle while making structural repairs;
Electrical or hydraulic pulling equipment appropriate to the type of repair;
Equipment for making three dimensional measurements for both symmetrical and asymmetrical vehicles;
Reference guides providing dimensions appropriate to the vehicle being repaired;
Welding equipment meeting vehicle manufacturer's requirements for the specific structural repair;
Painting equipment capable of refinishing vehicles to the manufacturer's original specifications; and
Equipment for applying corrosion protection to the vehicle meeting the manufacturer's specifications.
4
PARTS DESCRIPTION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) NUMBER FOR PART(S) USED
FRAME OR UNITIZED
ASSEMBLY
CAB OF A TRUCK
CARGO BOX OF A PICKUP
BODY OF A PASSENGER
VEHICLE
TRUNK OR FLOOR PAN
REAR QUARTER PANEL
(RIGHT)
REAR QUARTER PANEL
(LEFT)
DECKLID, TAILGATE, OR
HATCHBACK
HOOD
FRONT DOOR (RIGHT)
FRONT DOOR (LEFT)
REAR DOOR (RIGHT)
REAR DOOR (LEFT)
FRONT FENDER (RIGHT)
FRONT FENDER (LEFT)
BUMPER (FRONT)
BUMPER (REAR)
AIR BAG (RIGHT)
AIR BAG (LEFT)
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
SLIDING OR CARGO DOOR
K-186 REV. 8-99 (back) 5
AIR BAG CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
B-303 REV. 3-2003 STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
BRANCH OPERATIONS DIVISION
On The Web At http://dmvct.org
NOTE: If other than franchised dealer for type of vehicle listed above, a photocopy of the technician's certification of training
on airbag or passive restraint systems ( I-CAR, ASE or TECH-COR) must accompany this statement.
By signing below you attest that the airbag system, including associated sensors and controls, in the vehicle listed above was
inspected in accordance with established factory procedures for vehicles that have been in a collision, and you found the
airbag system in proper operating condition.
OWNER OF VEHICLE
PRINTED NAME OF TECHNICIAN
SIGNATURE OF TECHNICIAN DATE SIGNED
X
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DATE OF AIR BAG SYSTEM INSPECTION
MAKE MODEL YEAR
LICENSE NUMBER
RESIDENT ADDRESS OF OWNER (Number and Street) (City or Town) (State) (Zip Code)
DEALER OR REPAIRER
ADDRESS OF REPAIR FACILITY (Number and Street) (City or Town) (State) (Zip Code)
AN ACT CONCERNING AIR BAG FRAUD
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 53a-119(16) the general statutes is amended by adding subdivision (16) as follows:
(16) A person from such other person or a third person by knowingly installing or reinstalling any object in lieu of an air bag
that was designed in accordance with federal safety requirements as provided in 49 CFR 571.208, as amended,
and which is proper for the make, model and year of the vehicle, as part of the vehicle inflatable restraint system.
SUMMARY:
This bill established a specific larceny category called "air bag fraud." People commit this offense when, with
intent to defraud, they obtain money or other property from someone for knowingly installing or reinstalling any
object instead of an airbag designed according to federal safety regulations, and which is proper for the make,
model, and year of the vehicle, as part of the vehicle inflatable restraint system. The penalty for this offense
varies from a class C misdemeanor to a class B felony depending on the amount charged for the airbag. For
example, if the amount charged was over $1,000 but less than $5,000 the penalty would be a class D felony
punishable by a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2001
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State of Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles
Inspection Requirements For Repairable Salvage Vehicles
('Parts Only' vehicles will not be inspected)
NOTE: Lighting devices, exhaust and brakes will be inspected
in accordance with current Department of Motor Vehicles procedures
Item and method of inspection: Vehicle will be rejected if:
1) HOOD
Manually inspect hood operation
and visually inspect:
Latches Broken, missing, seized or insecurely mounted,
inoperable, will not close or open easily
Secondary Latches Broken, missing, or inoperable
Hinges Missing, broken, cracked, seized, inoperable
Safety Retainer Pins Missing
Hood Reinforcement Hood reinforced by other than manufacturer
Hood Support Rod Broken missing or inoperable
2) Bumpers - Front and Rear
Visually inspect:
Condition Missing, loose. Broken, torn portion is
protruding so as to create a hazard
Energy Absorber (if equipped) Collapsed, welded to rail not collapsible
Height
Cars - some part of bumper face not
between 14 and 22 inches (36 cm and 56
cm) off the ground
Trucks less than 10,000 lbs GVWR -
lowest part of the bumper highter than 30
inches (76 cm) from the ground
Dimensions Less than track width, horizontal surface
less than 4 inches (10 cm)
7
Item and Method of Inspection: Vehicle will be rejected if:
3) Windshield Con't...
Tinting (other than by glass manufacturer)
Tint or sun screening not applied by the glass
manufacturer is more than three inches from the
top of the windshield or as allowed by CGS
14-99g
Obstructions Decals located in an area swept by wipers
Type Glass is other than laminated safety glass type
AS-1 and so marked
Adhesive sealant Not urethane type or not to manufacturer's
specifications
VIN number visibility Public Vehicle Identification Number not
readable through glare strip of windshield
4) Side and Rear Windows
Operation Cannot be opened or closed readily - do not
bind in motion
Type Other than safety glass type with appropriate
AS rating and so marked
Condition Broken, exposed sharp edges, badly cracked
Any crack or stone bruise
Visibility Front side windows tinting or sun screening
that has a light transmission of less than 35%
plus or minus 3%
5) Seats
Visually Inspect:
Condition Mounting to vehicle or positioning mechanisms
not secure, frame broken, covering material
torn and exposing any metal component
Tear greater than 3 inches long, or damage
extending beyond 3 square inches and greater
than 1/4 inch deep
Driver's seat lock Adjusting mechanism does not operate or will
not lock into position
Seat back locks Mechanism does not operate so folding seat
back will lock upright
6) Seat Belts
Condition Missing, excessively frayed, torn webbing
Anchors Missing, insecurely mounted
Retractors (if equipped) Fail to allow belt to extend to its maximum
length, does not release properly
8
Position
Removed, not available for each passenger
position as per factory installation
Air flow (defroster)
Condition Evidence of leaks which fog windshield or no
warm air is produced
7) Interior Heaters:
Turn on fan and feel for warm air coming
out of heater duct. Visually and manually
inspect for:
Fan Fails to operate, controls stuck or inoperable
Type Other than hot water (except if supplied by
manufacturer of older cars)
Conditions Any leaks are present, no warm air produced
Controls Fails to direct air flow as per control indicator
position
8) Trunk
Door Will not open, lose or latch
Area Holes or seals could allow exhaust gases to
enter
Seals Weather-strip or weather-seal missing or
ineffective
9) Alignment and Tracking
Front or rear alignment Camber is obviously excessive, toe
exceeds 30 ft/mile front, 40 ft/mile rear
Tracking Right to left side wheelbase measured at
ball joints exceeds 6 mm (1/4") (unless
otherwise specified)
10) Frame and/or Structural Body
Components
Inspect for corrosive deterioration of
structural components
Frame rails or cross members are perforated
or separated due to corrosion anywhere
between the front and rear suspension
mountings on vehicles with frames and
sub-frames and when unibody sheet metal is
separated
Perforated or flaking in area near suspension
component mounting or where structural
shapes have been stamped into floor plan
Tapping with hammer causes indentations,
extensive corrosive weakening of metal in
structural shapes
Seat Belts - Con't...
9
Engine and transmission Mounts broken or not attached
Throttle control linkage Not connected or supported properly,
linkage binding
Item and method of inspection: Vehicle will be rejected if:
11) Frame and/or Structural body
Components cont...
Transmission linkage
Not connected or supported properly,
linkage binding
Rear quarter panels Damaged in a manner that factor installed
lamps cannot be secured as per factor
installation, missing
Section torn away so road spray is not
controlled
Mud flap or fenders not full width of tire, or the
vertical measure from the ground to the bottom
of the wheel house, fender, guard or other
splash and throw limiting parts of the vehicle,
shall not exceed one third of the horizontal
distance from the bottom edge of the axle.
Floor Rusted through sufficiently to cause a
hazard or allow exhaust gases to enter the
vehicle
Body panels
Perforated or dented in excess of 50 mm (2
inches) from original body design
Note: not acceptable on structural component
Inner fender panels Missing, incomplete
12) Frame Rails and Mounts
With the vehicle raised, visually
inspect and tap with ball peen hammer:
Frame rails Cracked, broken, bent, perforated or separated
due to corrosion or impact between front and
rear suspension mounts and rear frame to
body mounts
Body mounts Split, broken, missing, missing bolts
Cross members
Cracked, broken, bent, rusted to a depth as to
weaken member, or loose
Welded and heated areas Not coated
Frame and/or Structural Body
Components - Con't...
10
Out of Service Criteria
Any frame member is broken, sagging or
cracked in such a manner as to permit the
body to contact any moving part or collapse
of the frame is imminent
Any frame member or component fails to
adequately support directional stability
components
Wheelbase varies by 1 inch (25 mm) or
more measured at the ball joints
13) Unibody
Visually inspect condition of:
Floor pan (tap with ball peen hammer
for rust)
Rusted through sufficiently to cause a
hazard or allow exhaust gases to enter
occupant compartment, or badly deformed
Strut towers and spring shackle supports
(tap with ball peen hammer)
Cracked, broken, rusted through to a depth
so as to weaken supports, deformed or
bent
Item and method of inspection: Vehicle will be rejected if:
14) Example and Characteristics of Various High Strength Steels:
A) UHSS - Ultra High Strength Steel
• Strength destroyed by any heating during repair
• Metal is so hard that it cannot be straightened due to extreme high strength
• Any member having this metal must not be repaired, it must be replaced
• Used in door guard beams, bumper face bars and reinforcements
B) HSS - High Strength Steel
• Heat sensitive (1200 degrees) maximum depending on the manufacturer's
recommendation
• Can be straightened cold
• Heat useful in relieving stress at straightened area if temp indicating methods applied
• Used in frames of full frame vehicles and sub-frames in unibody if thicker metal is
observed
C) HSLA - High Strength Low Alloy Steel
• Cannot apply heat
• Can be straightened cold
• Higher strength than mild steel
• Used in front and rear rails, rocker panels, door pillars, and bumper face bars
Frame Rails and Mounts- Con't...
With the vehicle raised, visually
inspect and tap with ball peen hammer:
11
D) Galvanized Steel
• HSS or HSLA can be galvanized (Zinc coated)
• Toxic fumes released when heated (caution have proper ventilation and protection)
• Coating must be stripped to weld
• Corrosion protection must be replaced after repair
E) Structural Panels
• Structural panels should be serviced or replaced at the locations where they are
normally attached to the other panels during the production process (factory joints
and seams)
Manufacturers do not recommend the sectioning of structural panels. While outer
panels like hoods, fenders, quarter panels, and doors give some support to the total
structure, they are not considered key structural panels of the unibody assembly.
The individual panels are joined together at flanges of mating surfaces usually
formed at the edges of the panels during factory production. The same number of
welds as in manufacturing and in the right locations (This can usually be compared
to the same part on the opposite side of the vehicle for inspection purposes). If
reinforcements are added stress concentrators are created and in the event of a
second collision these parts will not function in the fashion they were designed.
Designed (Manufacturer's) stress concentrators should not be removed. They are
designed into the unibody vehicles to control and absorb collision forces, minimize
structural damage and increase occupant protection.
F) Full body sectioning or clipping
• This unibody repair technique involves taking a good rear half of one car and joining
it to a good front half of a different car (same make and model). A full body section is
usually done by sectioning at the two A-pillars, two rocker panels, and the floor pan.
The sectioning must always be done at factory seams. The rear section should
include the roof panel and the front section should include the front floor pan. This
allows the joining to occur under the rear seat at the floor, and at the windshield on the
roof. It is important that the roof and the floor joints not be above each other and
separated by as much span as possible. Attachments at factory seams must be made
using welds in a similar fashion to the factory welding.
NOTE: All salvage vehicles with full body sectioning or clipping shall have proof that
such work was done by qualified auto body technicians. Such proof shall be in the
form of a copy of a course certification from I-CAR, TECH COR, or other course
deemed equivalent by the Department.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

A car in the junkyard would have a vin# that would bring up the name of the last registered owner. How are you going to produce paperwork that shows you bought that car? If it was a write-off how do you get around the fact it shows up in the SWMVP as a write-off? And what possible use is there for anybody to register a junker except for insurance fraud, which brings all kinds of charges. There doesn't have to be a law against it specifically, because there are all kinds of laws against fraud already. And what is the use of a discount if you have to insure a whole vehicle anyway? If you premium was $1,000, and the second vehicle was $1,000, you would need a multi-vehicle discount of more than 50% to be ahead of the game. Nobody charges less for 2 vehicles than they do for one, otherwise I would insure 15 vehicles and the insurance company would be sending me a cheque, not a bill, and rent-a-car fleets would get cheques for hundreds of thousands of dollars!

Answer 4

Why would you want to insure a car that's in the junkyard and how would that get you a discount?

Maybe I don't get it, but I'm pretty sure whatever you are trying to do is illegal and wouldn't accomplish whatever you are trying to accomplish.

Many auto insurance companies offer discounts for having a good driving record, for taking a driver's ed class, for having good grades (if you are a student) so I would look into those legitimate ways of lowering your insurance premium.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

I think that would be considered Insurance fraud.

Answer 7

Fraud is fraud, it doesn't matter what state you're in.
Say "hi" to the warden for me!

Answer 8

If caught you will go to jail. Don't do it.

Answer 9

I'll look out for you on COPS.