Total Loss Car Title Inquiry
I recently had my car totaled. It’s been paid off for years, but I never got around to updating the title to remove the lienholder.
Now, I find myself in a tricky situation: the car is in Washington state, registered here, but titled in another state. I have the title in my possession along with the lien release letter.
The insurance company has assigned Copart to manage the salvage process, and they’ve sent me paperwork regarding the title, including a Washington state DOL form for power of attorney and prepaid mailers to return the documents. Since I’m currently traveling, I haven’t had much time to dive into this yet.
I know that the most reliable information will come from Copart or my insurance, but I’m curious to hear from the community while I’m on the go.
Do I need to address the title issue (such as completing the lien release) now, or will Copart/Insurance be able to take care of it for me? I’d like to gauge how much more I have to do in this process. Thanks for your help!
It sounds like you’re going through a challenging situation with your totaled car. It’s good that you have the lien release and title in hand; that will help streamline the process. Here’s a general approach on how to handle this:
Contact Copart and Your Insurance: Since they’re handling the salvage process, it’s best to reach out to them directly to clarify what needs to be done with the title. They might be able to guide you on whether they can manage the title transfer or whether you need to complete any additional steps.
Complete the Necessary Forms: If Copart sent you a power of attorney form, make sure to fill it out as instructed. This form typically allows them to act on your behalf in terms of handling the title and the salvage process.
Submit the Lien Release: Even though you didn’t have the lien holder removed from the title before, the letter you possess that releases the lien should be submitted along with the title. Make sure to keep copies of everything you send for your records.
Check Title Requirements: Since your car is titled in a different state, you might need to follow some specific procedures for that state. Research any requirements for transferring ownership or obtaining a salvage title in that state.
Follow Up: Once you send the necessary paperwork to Copart/Insurance, follow up with them to ensure everything is in order. They may also provide guidance on the next steps if there are any issues.
Stay Organized: Keep all correspondence, forms, and documents organized as it will help if any questions arise later in the process.
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed especially while traveling, but taking these steps will help you stay on track. Good luck!