By Kirk Reisner, MBG Insurance
The April 28, 2026 hailstorm was one of the worst Springfield has ever seen. Hail up to 4.75 inches fell across Greene County, and thousands of vehicles were damaged, many badly enough that insurance companies declared them a total loss.
A lot of those owners made a practical decision: take the settlement minus the salvage value and keep the car. Hail damage is often cosmetic, and a dented car that runs fine can still be a good vehicle. But keeping a totaled car comes with paperwork, and in most cases an inspection, before it is legal to title and drive again.
Here is what Springfield drivers need to know.
What Happens to Your Title When You Keep a Totaled Car
When your insurance company pays a total loss claim and you keep the vehicle, the insurer is required to notify you and the Missouri Department of Revenue. You should receive a notice (DOR Form 5043, or a similar letter) explaining what you need to do to retitle the vehicle.
Depending on the age of the vehicle and how the claim was settled, your car may need a new title branded “Salvage” or “Prior Salvage.” Follow the instructions in your insurer’s notice, and if anything is unclear, ask your adjuster or agent before you head to the license office.
Two Paths: Operable vs. Not Operable
Missouri treats owner-retained vehicles differently depending on whether the car can be safely operated.
If your vehicle is operable (whether or not you have fixed the hail damage), you can usually apply for a Prior Salvage title directly. You will need:
- Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108), marked Prior Salvage
- Your original certificate of title
- A current safety inspection from an Official Safety Inspection Station, no more than 60 days old, if you plan to register the vehicle
- Or, if you are not registering it yet, an Identification (ID) or Odometer (OD) inspection
If your vehicle is not operable, you will first apply for a Salvage title. A salvage title is proof of ownership only. You cannot register or drive the car on it. Once repairs are finished, you will need a Vehicle Examination (Form 551) performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, along with a safety inspection, before a Prior Salvage title can be issued.
For most hail-totaled cars, the operable path is the one that applies, which means the key step is a standard safety inspection, the one most people call a “mechanic’s inspection.”
What the Missouri State Highway Patrol Motor Vehicle Inspection Division Does
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) Division oversees the state’s vehicle safety inspection program. It licenses and monitors the private garages and shops that act as Official Safety Inspection Stations, certifies the mechanics who perform inspections, investigates complaints about inspections, and performs VIN and salvage examinations on vehicles that need them.
In other words, when a shop performs your safety inspection, it is doing so under the Highway Patrol’s authority and rules. If your vehicle needs the more detailed salvage examination, the Highway Patrol performs that itself at scheduled examination sites.
The Patrol’s Motor Vehicle Inspection FAQ page is a great resource. It covers inspection fees, what components are checked, how to find an inspection station, documentation needed for VIN and salvage examinations, and where those examinations are held.
Why the Inspection Matters After Hail Damage
Hail doesn’t just dent sheet metal. Large hail like Springfield saw in April can break windshields and windows, crack headlights and taillights, destroy side mirrors, and damage wipers. Many of these items are part of Missouri’s safety inspection.
That means a car can run perfectly and still fail inspection because of a cracked windshield or a broken taillight. Before you schedule your inspection, walk around the vehicle and take care of glass, lights, and mirrors first. It will save you a second trip.
Missouri caps safety inspection fees at $12 for passenger vehicles and trucks, so the inspection itself is inexpensive. The repairs needed to pass are where the real cost usually is.
Where to Get Your Inspection in Springfield
For a standard safety inspection, you can use the Highway Patrol’s Official Safety Inspection Station search to find a licensed station near you. Many local repair shops and dealerships in Springfield are licensed inspection stations.
If your vehicle needs a salvage examination (Form 551), or you have questions about the process, contact the Troop D Motor Vehicle Inspection office:
Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop D MVI
3131 East Kearney Street
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 895-6767
The Department of Revenue recommends scheduling a salvage examination about four weeks in advance, so don’t wait until you need the car back on the road.
If your vehicle cannot be legally driven while you sort out the title and inspection, plan to have it towed or trailered to the inspection site.
Don’t Forget About Insurance
Once your car is retitled, call your insurance agent before you drive it. A few things to keep in mind:
- Some insurance companies limit or decline comprehensive and collision coverage on vehicles with a salvage history, while others will offer it after an inspection or photos.
- Damage that was already paid for in your total loss settlement won’t be covered again. If you left the dents, future hail claims may be adjusted with that prior damage in mind.
- Keep photos and receipts for any repairs you make. Documentation helps if you ever need to file a claim or sell the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an inspection if I kept my totaled car in Missouri?
In most cases, yes. If the vehicle is operable, you will need a safety inspection from an Official Safety Inspection Station (or an ID/OD inspection if you aren’t registering it yet) to get a Prior Salvage title. If the vehicle was not operable, you will also need a Highway Patrol vehicle examination after repairs.
Can I drive my hail-damaged car while I wait on a new title?
Not if the vehicle has a salvage title. A salvage title cannot be used to register a vehicle. Check your insurer’s notice and your current registration status before driving, and ask your agent if you are unsure.
Will my car insurance cover a car with a Prior Salvage title?
Liability coverage is generally available. Comprehensive and collision coverage varies by insurance company, which is where an independent agency helps, since we can check multiple carriers.
Need Help With Your Coverage?
MBG Insurance is based in Springfield and has helped hundreds of local drivers through the aftermath of the April 28 storm. If you kept a totaled vehicle and need to know how it can be insured, or you are shopping for better coverage before the next storm, give us a call at (417) 773-7822. We will compare your options with multiple carriers and help you get back on the road.
About the Author
Kirk Reisner is a Partner and Chief Financial Officer at MBG Insurance in Springfield, Missouri. He began his career in 1998 as a claims adjuster, holds the Associate in Claims (AIC) designation, and has been a licensed insurance agent since 2001. Kirk earned his B.S. in Insurance and Risk Management from Missouri State University and helps Springfield-area drivers, homeowners, and businesses understand their coverage and navigate claims.