17 States and Counting: The Salvage Auction Taking on the Giants Is Coming to Your Market

Oct 12, 2026 · Salvato Auctions

In just over a year, Salvato Auctions has grown from a Texas startup to 17 states, with 10+ more coming online soon. Here's what that means for your bottom line.

At Last—A Salvage Auction with Lower Fees

For years, salvage buyers have talked about it, wished for it, even dreamed about it: an auction that sells quality insurance vehicles without piling on fee after fee. Salvato Auctions didn't just talk about it. We built it, and now we're bringing it to buyers in 17 states and counting.

Our digital auction model streamlines the processing of insurance total-loss vehicles, bringing them to auction faster with significantly lower overhead. As a result, buyer fees are up to 40% lower than those at legacy auctions that rely on the outdated “salvage pool” model.

From Texas to 17 States in Just Over a Year

Salvato Auctions launched in Texas just over a year ago with big aspirations to go head-to-head with two large, publicly traded companies that have dominated the salvage industry (and its fee schedules) for decades.

From those early beginnings, Salvato Auctions now operates in 17 states, with 10+ more on the horizon. That growth didn't happen by accident. Insurance companies and car buyers alike have shown they're eager for a better way to bring total loss vehicles to market.

For buyers, every new state means more inventory to choose from, more pickup locations close to home, and more chances to keep money in your pocket instead of handing it over in fees.

Why Our Fees Are Lower—and Our Cars Are Fresher

Legacy auctions haul vehicles into massive salvage pools, where extra towing, land, and staff all add cost that eventually lands on your invoice. Salvato Auctions skips the pool. Vehicles stay at secure storage sites, primarily tow yards, while digital signatures and digital titles move them to market faster.

That pays off for buyers twice. Lower overhead means lower fees. And because vehicles sell closer to their date of loss, they spend less time sitting and depreciating—producing the kind of fresh insurance inventory you want most.

With Salvato Auctions, you also know exactly what you're bidding on. We sell 100% insurance vehicles; straight-off-the-street accident cars from insurance claims, deemed a constructive total loss. No dealer consignments. No abandoned vehicles. Just the same high-quality salvage you used to find at the bigger auctions, but with far lower fees.

One Simple Fee. No Surprises.

When buyers hear "up to 40% lower fees," we have their full attention. Then it gets better:

• Free registration and no annual membership fees
• No internet, environmental, or gate fees—just a single auction fee on a simple invoice
• Convenient release codes and an easy pick-up process that skip the lengthy delays common at bigger auctions
• More states, more opportunities to find the vehicles you need

Want to see exactly what you'd save? Plug your numbers into the Salvato Savings Calculator.

"Buyers Can't Wait to Participate"

Dan Oscarson, Head of Global Buyer Development for Salvato Auctions, spent most of his career at one of the larger auctions before joining Salvato Auctions to help bring needed change to the industry.

"I knew right away that Salvato Auctions would fundamentally change the way the salvage industry processes total loss vehicles," Oscarson said. "We've been able to address the key pain points buyers have experienced for years with our faster, less expensive approach. More and more buyers are waking up to find our high-quality insurance vehicles for sale in their market, and they can't wait to participate."

Your Bids Help Bring Salvato Auctions to More States

Every marketplace needs both buyers and sellers. In salvage, it takes buyers to get cars from insurance companies, and it takes cars to attract buyers. Over the past year, Salvato Auctions has grown both sides at once, in a growing number of states.

That's where you come in. Every buyer who registers and bids helps Salvato Auctions attract more volume from the insurance industry. More volume means more inventory, more states, and lower fees for car buyers across the country. When you buy at Salvato Auctions, you are not just saving on today's car—you're helping build the auction this industry has needed for a long time.

The Road Ahead

With 17 states live and 10+ more preparing to launch, Salvato Auctions is scaling up volume and bringing its new auction platform to buyers across the United States. If Salvato Auctions is already in your market, now is the time to try something new and see the savings for yourself. If we aren’t there yet, we will be soon—and registering now will put you first in line when we arrive.

The salvage auction buyers have been waiting for is here. Discover for yourself what lower fees feel like.

Register free at salvatoauctions.com/register. Questions? Visit SalvatoAuctions.com or email buyersupport@salvatoauctions.com.