A repairable write off is when your insurer decides that your car is uneconomical to repair because the amount it would cost to repair the damage to your car is close to or more than the market value of your car (or the amount you insured it for) so it would be better for them to pay you out for the market value of your car (or the amount you insured it for) instead of repairing it. If you decide to keep the wreck in these cases, you should be able to re-register the car with your state’s roads and traffic authority provided you prove to them that the car has been repaired to a roadworthy condition or any other conditions they may impose.

A statutory write off is when your car is determined to be so damaged that it cannot possibly be repaired to a condition where it would ever be roadworthy again. You are not able to re-register a car declared a statutory write off.