(a) General rule.--Upon payment to the insured of the replacement value for a flood vehicle, the owner or insurer shall apply for a certificate of salvage branded as a flood vehicle.
(b) Assessing damage of flood vehicles.--A flood vehicle shall be assessed as to the level of damage by an insurer or licensed physical damage appraiser:
(1) If the cost of repairs exceeds the replacement value of the vehicle, the flood-branded certificate of salvage shall serve as an ownership document. If the vehicle thereafter passes the reconstructed salvage vehicle inspection requirements under section 1165 (relating to reconstructed vehicles), it shall receive a certificate of title branded reconstructed and flood vehicle.
(2) If the cost of repairs does not exceed the replacement value of the vehicle, the owner shall apply for a certificate of title branded flood vehicle. A legible copy of the vehicle damage appraisal report completed by an insurer or licensed physical damage appraiser must accompany an application under this paragraph. The damage appraisal report shall include the replacement cash value of the vehicle.