Does an insurance company have ownership of the vehicle after they pay for your total loss?

If you settle a total loss with an insurance company & choose not to keep the car, you have to send them your signed title and release possession of your vehicle to them in order to be paid for the claim. You do have the option of retaining it for less settlement money (due to salvage value and, in certain states, license & fees, taxes, etc...If you choose to retain, you will still not be paid for the repair of your vehicle, it is still totalled. Depending on the state, you also must get a salvage title on the vehicle until you have had it repaired & inspected by the state to be deemed roadworthy before applying for a rebuilt title.