There was an accident and my Ex never requested the salvaged title to my 2000 Dodge. He signed the car over to me on the title we recvd when we bought the car. I turned the Title into the CA DMV and they returned it to me in a big packet saying it was incomplete and I'd need to resubmit with a huge fee and get it re-smogged. My ex also handed the car over to me without a current registration. Now some repairs need to be made (something re:the radiator, it keeps over heating) and it's going to be quite costly just to get it running. Although nessessary as I will be relocating to Montana with in the next 2 month. I'm trying to save money for the move. Would it be easier and less costly to get the vehicle registered in Montana once I get it up there? Do I have to register the vehicle in CA and also Montana if I'll be moving shortly? Can I wait until I move to montana to smog the vehicle? When it comes to cars I'm clueless. Any suggestions?
2006-10-04 08:06:25 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If your ex totalled the car and did not request the return of the vehicle from the insurance company, the insurance company now legally owns the car. You can neither register nor title the vehicle in your name. Neither your nor your ex is the legal owner any more. Attempting to title and register the vehicle with an old title is fraud.
You should contact the insurance company and see if they will title it over to you. (If they won't, tell them to come and pick it up.)
Since a salvage title was issued, you're going to need to have a special inspection before CA will let you put it back on the road. Not sure what the MT laws are on salvage titles. Some states require a special inspection to make sure the vehicle was properly repaired. Others only require the normal safety inspection.
It will probably be cheaper to title and register it in MT but you'll have to haul it there on a full trailer. You won't be able to drive it there without registering it in CA. That non-op sticker is just a short term solution in CA to get the vehicle repaired and inspected before you title and register it. It won't get you to MT most likely.
2006-10-04 08:59:00 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the title is signed over to you from your ex then I don't see any reason why you couldn't wait until you moved to Montana before registering it. As long as you are not driving it in California then you should be fine. Are you saying that the vehicle was totaled and purchased from the insurance company? If so then the insurance company should have taken possession of the title you have and had it changed to a salvage title. You might want to contact them if this is the case and see if they can help you. Other then that, I think you would be fine waiting until you get to Montana. Also, Montana may be a state that you do not have to have the annual smog inspection. In SC, we do not have to have our vehicles inspected any longer. Although, sometimes when you are at a stoplight and the car in front of you is smoking so bad you can't even see the stop light any longer I wish we still did have to be inspected.
2006-10-04 08:17:26 · answer #2 · answered by mlc24_1980 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what you are asking here. Is this a wrecked vehicle, or is this a vehicle you are planning on driving? If you are planning on driving, and they are aware he was wrecked (which seems pretty obvious by the packet they sent you), you will have to have it inspected, certified as road worthy, smogged, and the license brought up to date. You will possibly have some trouble getting insurance for a salvaged vehicle. I'd suggest you ring up your divorce attorney and ask him about this if it was something that was discussed in your settlement, and follow his advice.
No, you can't drive the vehicle since it isn't registered. If you are stopped and have no current registration and insurance, you will lose the car to the impound yard. Again, check with your attorney as what you should do regarding it.
2006-10-04 08:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will want to get it registered in CA, otherwise if you drive it you can be pulled over and have the car impounded. You can check with the DMV about getting what I believe is called a non-op sticker, especially if you have the work order from the place that looked at your car. The sticker will allow you to drive the vehicle without the fear of losing your car. The fees for non-op are usually cheaper than the full registration on hte car.
2006-10-04 08:16:48 · answer #4 · answered by btij06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an Element that I use for Labs, and it is approximately as small as I can manage. I can best get in two crates plus exhibit equipment. So I might rule out the Jeeps, and the Santa Fe. I have used my husband's Tahoe and that enables extra space. If you do not move the direction of a mini-van, you'll have to keep Tahoe/Suburban measurement until you do not plan to crate your puppies at the same time you force.
2016-08-29 07:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yuk...what a mess. I hate to say this but it would be worth the legal fees to let your lawyer sort through this. It may be possible to avoid emissions testing and register fees in CA if your lawyer knows of some legal loopholes that would permit the truck to be titled in MT. (?)
2006-10-04 10:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a current tag on the car move. Calif. has the toughest laws of any st. and they will require every thing be fixed with proof.
You will in most casses still end up with a salvage title.
2006-10-04 08:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by jr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cowboy Bill and I never recommend lawyers, but this is a sticky situation you may not be able to handle on your own.
2006-10-04 11:01:12 · answer #8 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋