my car was stolen over a month agothe ins. co. had me sign over my title and have issued a checknow the car has been recoveredwhat do i do?
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my car was stolen over a month agothe ins. co. had me sign over my title and have issued a checknow the car has been recoveredwhat do i do?
after settling my claim……..i have received a registered letter stating that my car had been recoveredit now sits in an impound lot……and i have 11 days to pick it upbut….i no longer have the title….and it is required in order to obtain the carthus my delemna…..i’ve already signed the title over to the ins. co.i don’t know if the car is still mine or did i sell it to the ins. co. when i signed overthe title…and they issued a checkit seems that way….but i’m not surei hope you can give me an answer….thank you
Asked on June 20, 2009 under Accident Law, Maryland
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
If you've deposited or cashed the check, the car belongs to the insurance company, and the impound fees are their problem. You should pass the letter along to them immediately, and doing it certified mail, return receipt requested -- and after taking a photocopy for yourself -- would be a good idea. If you have a contact, an adjuster on the claim from the letter that came with the check, give him or her a call; they might want you to fax the letter.
If you haven't cashed the check, you can still do that, and whether or not you do, you still need to notify the insurance company asap. It's a matter of good faith.
If you want to get the car back, even after it's been driven who-knows-where by who-knows-who for however-many miles (and possibly having mechanical issues that are who-knows-how-bad but that you won't find out about at least until you try to drive it away), and even with having to pay towing and impound and storage fees quite possibly, you need to let the insurance company know right away -- and I think you might want to talk to a lawyer about it first. One place to find an attorney is our website: http://attorneypages.com
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