Car is registered and insured in my name but im not title holder. What happens to me if my car gets totaled?

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My friend promised to buy me a car and bought it for me. But I didn’t know he put himself as the lien holder.when we went to get the car registered.

Asked November 21, 2015

1 Answer


If the car is registered and insured in your name, you are considered the legal owner of the car in the eyes of the insurance company. However, if you are not listed as the title holder on the car, the insurance company may pay the settlement amount to the title holder instead of you. In this situation, you may need to work out an agreement with the title holder on how the settlement amount will be distributed. It's possible that the title holder may agree to sign over the settlement check to you, or they may keep the settlement and use it to pay off any outstanding loans or debts on the car. It's important to note that if there is a lien on the car (i.e. you still owe money on a car loan), the settlement check may be sent directly to the lienholder to pay off the loan first. Any remaining amount would then be distributed to the legal owner or the insured driver, depending on the circumstances. In any case, it's important to review your insurance policy and state laws to determine your rights and obligations in this situation. It may also be helpful to consult with a lawyer or insurance agent for guidance.

Answered November 23, 2015 by teddyx

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