Core Points - The article discusses the situation of a car owner, Stella, whose car was stolen and later recovered, highlighting the complexities involved in dealing with insurance and title transfer after a theft [1][2][3]. Group 1: Insurance Process - Stella's insurance company declared the stolen car a total loss and paid her $5,000 for the vehicle, which was 15 years old [1]. - After the car was recovered, Stella must inform her insurance company, as the car is now their property, and they have the right to sell or scrap it [3]. - Some insurance companies may allow the previous owner to buy back the car, but this is contingent on the insurer's policies [3]. Group 2: Title and Inspection Requirements - If Stella is permitted to buy back the car, it will likely come with a salvage title, requiring repairs and a state inspection to obtain a rebuilt title and insurance [4]. - The process for obtaining a recovered theft title varies by state; for instance, in Massachusetts, an application must be submitted after passing a salvage inspection, along with a fee [4]. - The application processing time for a recovered theft title can take four to six weeks [4].