[Lynn]

The way the Oklahoma law is written the vehicle us only REQUIRED to be branded if the damage results in the car being less safe.

Stolen wheels and tires, hail damage and the like should NOT result in a branded titled.

Of course, there is a big BUT coming..... The insurance companies do not follow the law. If the damage exceeds 40% of the cars title they insist on a "salvage" title. It is a crock, but until someone has a situation that warrants suing the insurance company, it will never change.

I suspect it will take someone's classic car getting branded to warrant a lawsuit.

Oklahoma also has different branded titles. It can be salvaged or "rebuilt". A client gave me a Buick LeSabre about 10 years ago. Had be hit right front. Did not even change the alignment. I put a fender and hood on it from another car (same color, so didn't even do paint work). Checked the statute which required an "inspection" of the car before the State would transfer the title to me. I assumed they would set me up with a shop specializing in such inspections. Nope. I go to the local tag office, and for an extra $2, an 18 year old girl follows me to the parking lot, looks at the car, and says: "wow, you really did a great job. can't even tell it has been wrecked." We go back in and finish the paperwork. I get the title and it is branded "rebuilt" which most folks assume as a horrible total. To be fair, considering the depth of the inspection, I guess it could have had all kinds of hidden damage underneath.

That's what happens when you pass laws and leave it to bureaucrats to interpret and enforce them.