What does an insurance company do with salvaged personal property?

If an insurer pays for the total loss of personal property, including a car, it usually becomes the owner of the property as part of the resolution of the claim. The property is then sold so that the insurer may recoup some of its loss. There are some entities, such as scrap metal companies that deal in that kind of property.

Under some circumstances, the insured wishes to keep the property. That can usually be negotiated, but the payment to the insured on the claim may be adjusted accordingly.