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Insurance auto auctions, explained

Insurance auto auctions are where insurers sell the vehicles they total. Copart is the largest, and as its registered broker we give the public direct access, at 40 to 60 percent below retail, with no dealer license.

Browse the auctions Register free →

What is an insurance auto auction?

When an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss, it does not scrap it. It sells it at an insurance auto auction to recover money. These auctions handle enormous volume, hundreds of thousands of cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats every week, from light hail to rebuildable collision.

Copart runs the largest of these auctions. SalvageReseller is Copart's longest running registered broker, which means we hold the licenses and bid on your behalf, so you get direct access to Copart's inventory without a dealer license. Price your all in cost on the fee calculator before you bid.

How it works

How to buy from an insurance auto auction

From free account to vehicle in hand, the whole process runs online.

1

Register and place a deposit

Open a free account and add a refundable security deposit to set your bidding power. Create your account in about a minute.

2

Research, then bid

Search by make, damage and location, review the photos and lot details, and run a VIN report. Bid preliminary, live or Buy It Now.

3

Pay and collect

Pay by wire within three business days counting auction day, then pick up the vehicle or arrange a shipping quote. See how to buy for the full process.

Register free and start bidding
Inventory

Shop insurance auction vehicles by make

Insurers total every brand on the road, so auction inventory covers them all.

Toyota
Camry, Corolla, RAV4 & more
Honda
Civic, Accord, CR-V & more
Ford
F-150, Mustang, Explorer & more
Chevrolet
Silverado, Malibu, Equinox & more
Nissan
Altima, Rogue, Sentra & more
BMW
3 Series, X5, X3 & more
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class, GLE, E-Class & more
Tesla
Model 3, Model Y, Model S & more
Dodge
Charger, Challenger, Durango & more
Hyundai
Elantra, Sonata, Tucson & more
Kia
Optima, Sorento, Soul & more
Lexus
RX, ES, IS & more
Subaru
Outback, Forester, Impreza & more
Audi
A4, Q5, A6 & more
View all makes →
Questions

Insurance auto auctions: frequently asked questions

How these auctions work

Usually only through a licensed dealer or a registered broker. That is exactly what we are: a registered Copart broker that lets the public buy with a free account and no dealer license. Register free.
Once repair costs pass a state set share of the vehicle's value, paying the owner out and selling the vehicle recovers more money than fixing it. Auctions turn thousands of those vehicles back into cash quickly, which is why inventory is constant and prices start low.
Yes. Copart is the largest insurance and salvage auto auction network in the United States, with over 200 locations. We provide access to Copart specifically, not IAA.
Cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, RVs and heavy equipment, both salvage and clean title. Many are theft recoveries, lease returns and light damage vehicles. Condition varies lot by lot, so review each listing before you bid.

Bidding and buying

Open a free account and place a refundable security deposit, which sets your bidding power at ten times the deposit. From there you can bid on any lot at any Copart location nationwide. Register free to begin.
Three main ones: preliminary bids placed before the sale, live bidding during the auction itself, and Buy It Now on lots with a fixed price. Preliminary bids are handy if you cannot attend the live sale.
Typically 40 to 60 percent below retail, because you buy at the source instead of paying a dealer markup. Run the numbers with fees on the fee calculator.
Copart buyer fees on a published bracket, our broker fee based on your membership, gate and environmental fees, and sales tax where it applies. The fee calculator adds it all up for any bid amount.

After the auction

Payment is due by wire transfer within three business days, counting auction day. Then you pick up the vehicle or arrange transport, get a quote on our transportation page.
Plan to collect it within a few days of the sale. Yards give a short free window, then daily storage fees start and climb quickly, so book your pickup or transport as soon as you win.
Yes, a large share of auction vehicles leave the country. You buy the same way, then ship through an exporter. Check your destination country's rules for branded titles first, and see the international section of our financing page for payment guidance.
Copart can reject bids or cancel sales in limited cases, for example seller withdrawal or listing errors, and some lots need seller approval before the sale is final. It is uncommon, but worth knowing before you plan around a specific vehicle.
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