My TC is registered in WA state.Due to storm damage (while in another state) several months ago it was declared "totaled" by the insurance co. They notified WA DOL that the vehicle was salvaged.I agreed to a buy-back deal with the insurance co and the agreed buy-back price was deducted from the check I received. Meantime, I have made the necessary repairs and the TC is ready to travel again (yea!!!). Only problem now is the license plate expires in Oct and I can't renew it since the vehicle is officially a salvage vehicle. Also, I can no longer purchase insurance for the TC since it's salvaged.Unfortunately, I am nowhere near WA and plan to head south to Baja in Oct. So the question is - should I worry about hauling a non-registered TC on my truck or not?Sometime next year I'll return to WA and get the TC inspected and hopefully approved for registration.Any advice or comments welcome!

Why do you have to register a TC. Like saying I need too register my truck cap. I believe it is a part of your truck when attached and does not require separate registration.

Ranger Smith wrote:Why do you have to register a TC. Like saying I need too register my truck cap. I believe it is a part of your truck when attached and does not require separate registration.It's required in WA state. However, I've heard that some states do not require registration for a TC - but I have no idea which states do and which don't.

Many states, maybe even most states, don't tag TCs (some don't even tag trailers). Those that do, it is more about collecting a tax than identifying a vehicle on the road. What your penalty will be for failing to pay a tax on time is between you and the state of Washington. Since they've already got it on their books as "no longer exists" I wish you good luck convincing them that the TC is worthy of title and tag. Varoius states have different ideas about salvage titles.

Ranger Smith wrote:Why do you have to register a TC. Like saying I need too register my truck cap. I believe it is a part of your truck when attached and does not require separate registration.Because WA,OR and CA. All want money for every thing. A Truck camper is classified as an RV. Thus $$$$$$$$$.

Registration expired - should I worry? | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

AO_hitech
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
unbob wrote:
My ins co was Progressive - they informed me they would no longer sell me insurance for my salvaged TC.

Mercury. I had no problem with them for my salvaged jeep, and they were the ones that paid the claim that totaled it.
unbob
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
My ins co was Progressive - they informed me they would no longer sell me insurance for my salvaged TC. I have not checked with any other ins co. Anyone have possible suggestions? Otherwise, I'll just self-insure my TC.

Re my truck, I was informed by Nationwide that they would not offer me comprehensive/collision - only liability - so that's what I now have. Again, I'm self-insuring C & C.
AO_hitech
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Golden_HVAC wrote:
As for the insurance. Is it just liability insurance? Once you have a salvage title on a vehicle (or I guess camper) you will not be able to insure it for theft or further damage by that insurance company.

This is not true. I bought back a vehicle recently which meant it now has a salvage title. The insurance company that paid the claim (mine, mercury if anyone is interested) sold the salvage back to me and continued the insurance on the vehicle. They made a point to inform me that I could get whatever level of insurance I wanted.
unbob
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

Is your truck registered in Oregon (your signiture?) or Washington?
WA state.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
unbob wrote:

Only problem now is the license plate expires in Oct and I can't renew it since the vehicle is officially a salvage vehicle. Also, I can no longer purchase insurance for the TC since it's salvaged.

You can in fact Title/register a so-called "salvage vehicle" in Washington State, and I'd be much surprised if it was ineligible for insurance, as you seem to think. Suggest calling some County registrar re. the registration, and any insurer perhaps excepting the one that just paid off the claim re. insurance coverage.

I know here in NC that a salvage title just means it was declared totaled. We bought our son a car with a slavage title and like any other vehicle that had to be registered, it was no different.
down_home
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
We drove for two years on expired sticker. Then one day on the Trace, something kept bugging me. I asked the wife to pull over next chance. I walked around the coach and saw the expired sticker. We were headed for Canada. took some doing and a helpful son to get a sticker from our county and meet us in Murfreesboro.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
unbob wrote:

Only problem now is the license plate expires in Oct and I can't renew it since the vehicle is officially a salvage vehicle. Also, I can no longer purchase insurance for the TC since it's salvaged.

:h

I think you're borrowing trouble- it's my belief that you're mistaken on both counts above.

You can in fact Title/register a so-called "salvage vehicle" in Washington State, and I'd be much surprised if it was ineligible for insurance, as you seem to think. Suggest calling some County registrar re. the registration, and any insurer perhaps excepting the one that just paid off the claim re. insurance coverage.

I'd add that since in Washington at least no liability insurance is legally required for a non-motorized unit like a TC, you might just let that one go and take your chances.
tempforce
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
if pulled over in a nearby state, they will run his plate's. and if not in compliance he will receive a tax/fine…
best way is to contact the motor vehicles department and get your title and registration fixed… the salvaged title can be changed. by having a local sherif's dept. verify tag numbers with paperwork. send in the letter with the application and and $$$$. you can get your active title and registration sent to you.
have done similar title transfers from states i was a temp resident in. and tagging the vehicle in oregon (state of permanent address at that time). i was able to avoid paying the state sales tax for where i was working...
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 17, 2013
I really don't think most Wa. LEO's know whether or not we need a lic. on a TC.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
Driving with expired tags is a BIG ticket: $200+ in Washington and $500+ in Arizona.
I would put the truck rear plate on the camper.
Baja and California won't care provided the tag is current.

I've been told, but don't know for sure, that driving a vehicle with expired tabs negates one's insurance.
In the case of the camper, it probably doesn't matter.