Expert: Bennie719 - 4/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, the other expert could not explain what the transfer fee is. Could you explain it? Will the insurance offer for the value of the vehicle include the transfer fee or I need to demand it additionally? Is it the same amount as the registration fees I paid my totaled vehicle before? Thank you for your answer.

ANSWER: Hi luo,
Unlike a registration fee which is paid annually, a registration fee is a one time payment charged by your state department of motor vehicles for transferring a car into  your name.  
The fee is usually based on the year, make and model of the vehicle.

Your insurance company is having to pay a transfer fee to change the title of your totaled vehicle into their name, therefore, they expect you to pay the cost of transferring the replacement car into your name.

They WILL NOT reimburse you for the transfer fee.

I hope this information has been of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. I just want to confirm it. Because the insurance WILL NOT reimburse me for the transfer fees, I should demand the cost of transfer fees before accept the value of the vehicle determined by the insurance as well as unused registration fees on my totaled vehicle, right?

Answer
Hi luo,
As I explained, the insurance company is NOT going to include the transfer fees as part of your settlement.
You will be reimbursed the unused portion of your registration fee plus sales tax on the amount of the settlement, but no matter how you demand, they WILL NOT pay you the cost of the transfer fees (which will not even be a known amount until you purchase a replacement vehicle and go to the motor vehicle department to transfer the vehicle).

Sincerely,
Bennie