No matter what car you are looking at, have a reliable shop go over the car before you buy it.

Most states have detailed info on their web sites and every state is different.

To get some terminology straight.

A " Salvage Certificate ( title ) " is generally issued when an insurance company pays the cars owner for a cost of repair exceeding say 75 % . Years ago I had a customer whose older low value car was a " total loss ". .from a run away shopping cart so take that into consideration when looking at a car.

A " rebuilt Title " is issued once the above car has been repaired and went through some sort of state mandated documentation / physical inspection.

Does you state have safety inspections? Talking to your shop would be a good start.

Don't tell the insurance co about the salvage / rebuilt. Just give them the VIN number and ask for a binding quote before you purchase the car. Don't bother getting full coverage , just get liability as many times full coverage is a waste of $ on anything more than 10 years old.