Joe, you are right, it does not matter on the kind of damage, it all depends on the insurance companies, and more and more, total stripped vehicles, as they are recovered, do not go to auction, as the insurance companies are aware that this reassembly of stolen vehicles only leads to more theft. they are simply crushed, and the titles are never useable (here or out of state)
Cars branded here as "insurace salvaged rebuilt vehicle" will always indicate this on the title in the area where the legal owner info is provided. this will also show up in the subsequent duplicate copies of title here.
Carfax will indicate a lot of things, but not something real current <they are slow due to reporting procedures>