What does “auction announcement - salvage” mean?

The auction has announced the vehicle as being in a Salvage condition based on seller's disclosure and/or the most recently reported brand/title for the vehicle.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly. We would also recommend speaking with your Provincial vehicle registration authority to further ensure vehicle can be registered with and operated in your province.


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What does “collision” mean?

A collision refers to an incident involving impact with an object or another vehicle.


A single vehicle accident – such as driving into a ditch – could be classified as a “collision” by sources such as law enforcement agencies, first responders, towing companies, estimate and repair facilities and/or insurance companies.


The term “collision” may appear on a report when a damage event reported to us by participating sources includes the term collision.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What does "Damage to vehicle" mean?

Insurance claim classification used to refer to claims related to vehicle repair costs or replacement of the vehicle.


Typically, this claim classification excludes damage resulting from a collision on a public road, fire, hail/windstorm, vandalism or theft incident.


This claim classification is usually applied when vehicle incurs damages in a parking lot incident, damages while parked, etc. though may also be used in the event a 43r policy endorsement was activated by the insured/owner of the vehicle, resulting in a Total Loss claim being filed by the insurance company.


For more information, please also see:




Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What does “estimate detail” mean?

The estimate detail displays the primary point of impact on the vehicle at the time of the incident. 


It is possible that there were other damages elsewhere on the vehicle.


We do not receive, nor can we obtain/share detailed parts listed associated with these records.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What does "Miscellaneous" mean?

Insurance carriers have different ways of classifying damage to vehicles.


This classification deals with numerous types of damage that are not specifically coded by the insurer including collision involving an animal, vandalism, damage by weather, tree falling on the vehicle and others.


Please note we are not able to obtain nor provide further details from our sources pertaining to the claim.


For more information on insurance claims, please see: Insurance Claim


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What does “partial loss” mean?

This is an insurance term used by some companies to describe a collision or other damage claim where the claim amount was less than the full market value of the vehicle.


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What does “point of impact - all over” mean?

This means that the vehicle sustained damage in multiple places. This term is commonly used to describe hail damage in vehicle repair estimate records.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly. We would also recommend speaking with your provincial vehicle registration authority to further ensure vehicle can be registered with and operated in your province.


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What does “point of impact – rollover” mean?

Estimate facilities, like insurance companies and other businesses have a limited number of classifications they can select from when completing their documentation. 


Rollover would be listed as the point of impact on the estimate sheets when:


  • Vehicle was confirmed to have rolled over
  • The roof of the vehicle has been damaged, though the vehicle has not rolled over
    • for example: if a tree branch fell on the roof of a vehicle



If you believe that an estimate facility has recorded rollover incorrectly, please return to support.carfax.ca and click “Request a Review.” Please include:


  • VIN
  • Vehicle History Report number (optional)
  • Phone number
  • License plate number
  • If available, any documentation from the estimate/repair facility

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What does “possible total loss vehicle, title/registered to an insurance company” mean?

It’s possible to see an indication of Total Loss without the vehicle being branded. If a certain threshold is met (set by the insurance company), the Total Loss trigger is set.


If your report indicates “possible total loss,” review the “Canadian Registration Section” to confirm the branding of the vehicle.


If "title/registered to an insurance company" is included with the record, the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company and ownership of the vehicle was transferred to that company.


For more information, please also see:




Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly. We would also recommend speaking with your provincial vehicle registration authority to further ensure vehicle can be registered with and operated in your province.


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What does “public insurance” mean?

This is an insurance company created by an act of government. Public insurance companies are mandated in British Columbia (ICBC), Saskatchewan (SGI) and Manitoba (MPI). The Quebec government also governs private insurance for vehicles in its jurisdiction.


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