So what if you have a car that you own or you purchased, and there was a loan on it but that loan has been charged off, went through a bankruptcy, or maybe went through repo but they didn’t want the car back? What does this mean in terms of ownership if the lender didn’t take the car back?
What this means is that there was a loan on the car, the loan was in default and never paid off, but the lender doesn’t want to physically take back the vehicle. This doesn’t mean that you own the vehicle, it means that they didn’t want to be responsible for disposing of the car. The loan is still on the title record, the lien is still a cloud on the title. Even if it’s a bankruptcy, that’s going to show on the title. To remove this cloud of the title, what you need to do is what’s called lien mitigation.
If you are the borrower of that loan, you’re going to need to contact the lender and have them issue a lien release letter. If you’re the borrower that did not pay that loan back, they might not be as motivated to do it. If you’re a third party that’s innocent that bought this car from somebody and you weren’t the person that defaulted on the loan, the lender might give you a lien release document. Either without costs or for a very small fee of just them doing the paperwork as long as you can represent your an arm’s length away from that borrower. Sometimes just on principle, they don’t want to give somebody a car that didn’t pay their bill.
Remember a charged-off loan, a defaulted loan, or a repo that hasn’t been physically picked up, even if the bank told you they don’t want the car back, does not mean you own the car. That does not mean the lien is cleared, it just means they don’t want to go through the hassle of pain to get that car repossessed, shipped, inspected, and put through an auction because that might cost them upwards of $1,000 or more. If they’re not going to get that much from the car, they don’t really want it back. Now it becomes your problem because it’s on your driveway or in your garage and it’s a nuisance. You need to sell it or get rid of it. It doesn’t mean you own it just because they said they didn’t want it. You still have to go through the lien mitigation process.
If you are an Indiana resident, a bonded title can be an effective way to recover your vehicle title if you don’t have sufficient evidence of ownership.
A bonded title is a type of title recovery method that requires the purchase of a surety bond, also known as a vehicle title bond, to secure the ownership of the vehicle. This is because, in order to receive a bonded title, you must have a major lack of proper documentation. The DMV in your state is essentially taking your word that you are the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle title bond provides security for the DMV to assign the ownership in the event that there is an ownership discrepancy after the bonded title is issued.
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Before beginning your bonded title process, make sure that your vehicle meets the eligibility for a bonded title.
If your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements of an Indiana bonded title, begin the application process by obtaining the Indiana Affidavit of Ownership packet.
Indiana Affidavit of Ownership packet
Complete in its entirety the Indiana Affidavit of Ownership packet. The documents in this packet include:
Seller contact
Before proceeding with the bonded title application, you must first attempt to get the original title from the seller or lienholder. Send each of these parties a letter via certified mail requesting the signed title. If they do not respond, keep the original unopened letters for later documentation.
Written statement
A written statement is required for you to explain how the vehicle came into your possession. This letter should state the seller, the date of the transaction, the purchase price, and vehicle information. This written statement must be notarized. If you already have a notarized bill of sale, you may skip this step.
Document submission
Collect all documents listed and related to the ownership of the vehicle, including a photocopy of your driver’s license. Submit your documents to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Central Office Title Processing for approval. The Indiana BMV will direct you on how to proceed after submission.
To learn more about Indiana’s special title circumstances and affidavit of ownership, check out their website here.
Want a CarTitles.com professional to do it for you?
For as little as $159 for most processes, we will save you the headache and prepare all of the car title paperwork needed to get you a new title. Simply choose the title recovery method you’d like to use and we’ll get started!
Select your title recovery method:
Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
Did you ever wonder why it’s so hard to get a title for an abandoned vehicle or to even file for an abandoned vehicle? In almost all 50 states, filing for an abandoned vehicle means you are giving away the vehicle. You don’t get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not “finder’s keepers”. It’s not where you can just file and get to claim a vehicle because it’s abandoned. In fact, most of the time when the word abandoned is used, the state will seize the vehicle from you and sell it at auction after going through a notification process.
So, why is it so hard to file for an abandoned vehicle? Here’s an example. Here’s a comment from one of our prior videos from a user who said “My vehicle has a warning under investigation over an abandoned vehicle. My truck is in front of my property on a public residential street. It has an active sticker. The truck moves but it simply doesn’t move that much because we all work from home. We order things online. We have our own gym room. We pay our taxes and business.” So here’s a person who has their vehicle on the street in front of their house. Somebody obviously saw it and thought maybe it was abandoned it hasn’t moved for a long time and they filed an abandoned vehicle report. And so they put a sticker on it and that’s what the state will do.
The government will put a sticker on it. They’ll give it some time, notify the owner, and if they don’t hear back, they’ll auction it off. Well, that vehicle that you’re calling abandoned maybe somebody’s vehicle that’s on vacation or in the military. Maybe they don’t go out that much or it’s an extra vehicle. You may know about that vehicle, you may know that the person moved out of the apartment and they went overseas or you may know that they died. You may know more about it, but it doesn’t matter though because the DMV doesn’t know and they’re not allowed to issue you a title saying you are the owner until they exhaust all of the investigations. That’s why this person says, “the vehicles under investigation”, that’s what they do. The DMV agency in your state will do an investigation before they do anything with an abandoned vehicle. They want to make sure that no one wants that vehicle. Not the prior owner, not a lien holder, not a relative, not a co-owner.
Once the investigation is completed and the prior owner or other security interests have been notified and do not have an interest in claiming the vehicle, the state will auction it off for the value of the vehicle. Once it’s auctioned off that money is held. Some of it is used to pay the fees for towing or for auctioning, but the rest of that money is held in case later somebody comes forward and said Hey that’s my car! If it’s truly abandoned and nobody wants it then the money actually goes to the state. They get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not it’s not the wild west where you can just claim something that you see that’s unoccupied Now, if it’s a different story than that which it usually is, maybe you bought a car or somebody that you know, put on your property or they gave it to you. That’s a different story. Now you have methods of filing for a title. You can do a court order title or you could do a civil lien instead of a mechanics lien.
Be very careful about using the word abandoned vehicle because as soon as you do that, it may trigger a requirement that the state seizes it. They do an investigation, then they auction it off. And this is the reason why this person worries about losing their car because they don’t go anywhere. You know they go door dash, Uber or, they have a gym in their house and they don’t go anywhere which a lot of people do now. This is to protect somebody like this. This may not be the case in your situation but the state doesn’t know that so they’re not allowed to simply hand over a title. Use one of the other methods other than abandoned such as court order title, civil lien, or bonded title.
Curious about the history of a potential vehicle purchase? Running a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) search can provide you with a wealth of information, unveiling the mysteries hidden beneath the surface. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of conducting a VIN search and understanding the nuances of a vehicle’s background check.
Understanding VIN Searches: More Than Just Numbers
Running a VIN search isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; it can mean different things to different people. To simplify this intricate task, our website at cartitles.com offers a user-friendly link to VIN searches, leveraging the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
Decoding the NMVTIS: What You Can Find
Upon initiating a VIN search through NMVTIS, you gain access to a comprehensive vehicle history report. This report typically includes essential details such as the vehicle’s specifications, title records, sales records, potential issues like salvage or theft, and even market values.
Deconstructing a Vehicle History Report: What to Look For
Let’s break down the key elements of a standard vehicle history report:
Navigating VIN Search Limitations and Solutions
While a VIN search provides a wealth of information, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations. Not every detail may be present, and some factors, like the name of the current owner, are protected by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). However, there’s a workaround – many states offer a DPPA exemption form, allowing you to access the name of the current registrant by applying through the VIN search report.
Empowering Your Vehicle Purchase Decision
Running a VIN search is a pivotal step in making an informed decision about a potential vehicle purchase. Whether you’re examining title records, assessing market values, or ensuring the absence of significant issues, a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s history empowers you as a buyer. Begin with a VIN search, explore the NMVTIS, and if needed, leverage the DPPA exemption to delve deeper into the details that matter to you.
For additional queries or assistance, feel free to reach out to our help desk at [email protected]. Drive confidently, armed with the knowledge of your vehicle’s past.
Ever found yourself curious about the challenges of obtaining a title for an abandoned vehicle? The process is far more intricate than a simple “Finders Keepers” scenario. In this blog post, we explore the complexities surrounding abandoned vehicles, shedding light on why filing for one may not be the straightforward solution you might think.
The Illusion of Abandoned Vehicle Claims
Many have pondered why it’s a daunting task to secure a title for an abandoned vehicle. Contrary to common belief, filing for an abandoned vehicle doesn’t mean you get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not subject to the “Finders Keepers” rule. In fact, filing for an abandoned vehicle often results in the state seizing it, followed by an auction process.
User’s Dilemma: A Warning of an Abandoned Vehicle Investigation
A user shared their predicament on one of our previous videos. Their truck, parked on a public residential street, had an active sticker until 2023. However, due to infrequent movement, a concerned citizen reported it as an abandoned vehicle. This initiated a process where the government placed a warning sticker, notified the owner, and, if unresolved, would lead to an auction.
Why Filing Triggers an Investigation
When an abandoned vehicle report is filed, the government intervenes by initiating an investigation. This investigative process is crucial before any action is taken concerning the vehicle. The goal is to ensure that no rightful owner, lien holder, relative, or co-owner has a claim on the vehicle. Until this exhaustive investigation is complete, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) refrains from issuing a title to a new claimant.
Abandoned Doesn’t Mean Unwanted: A Critical Distinction
What might seem like an abandoned vehicle to one person could be a seldom-used vehicle belonging to someone on vacation, in the military, or with other reasons for limited movement. Despite your awareness of the vehicle’s history, the DMV requires concrete evidence and a thorough investigation before considering a change of ownership.
The Auction Process: Why It Matters
In the event that an abandoned vehicle remains unclaimed after the investigation, the government proceeds with an auction. The funds generated from the auction cover towing and administrative fees, with any remaining amount held in case a previous owner or rightful claimant comes forward. If unclaimed, the surplus goes to the state.
Alternative Solutions: Court Order Title, Civil Lien, and More
Rather than opting for the term “abandoned vehicle,” individuals seeking ownership of a vehicle with a complex history can explore alternative methods. Options such as court order titles, civil liens, and bonded titles provide legal pathways to secure ownership without triggering a state seizure.
A Cautionary Note: Be Informed, Be Careful
The term “abandoned vehicle” should be approached with caution. Triggering a state investigation can result in unintended consequences, especially if the vehicle has a rightful owner who hasn’t been accounted for. Understanding the available alternatives, such as court order titles or civil liens, ensures a more controlled and legally sound process.
Choose Wisely, Own Responsibly
In the realm of obtaining vehicle titles, knowledge is power. Before embarking on the journey to claim ownership of a vehicle with a complex history, explore the diverse avenues available. Abandoned vehicles may not be the untamed territories where you can claim ownership at will. Choose the right method, navigate the process wisely, and own responsibly. For detailed instructions on alternative title acquisition methods, visit our website at cartitles.com.
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