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Expert: - 2/3/2010


Question
Hi, Maybe you could help because I have been trying to get answers for about 4 weeks. Well, my name is Latrice from Florida and I purchered a 1993 Pontica Bonneville back in Sept 2009 from an private owner that had NY titles, but the problem is the title has a lien on it! I went to try to get the car registered yesterday; but couldn't because of the lien on the ttle. So, if you have an suggestions please help.

Answer
Hello,

You probably won't what I have to tell you, but buying a used car it is always "buyer beware." worse yet, this appears not to be from a dealer where you might have some recourse.

It's too late now, but one never buys a car without having the title and that way you no there is not a lien on it if it is an original title and not a duplicate. (Some states will not show a lien holder on a duplicate)

Since you aware of the lien, you can try to contact the lien holder listed on the title by doing an Internet search. If you can get in touch with someone in NY to speak with them, you can pay the debt or maybe work something out with them.

Even though you paid for the car, it was not the person you bought the car from theirs to sell.

The way it stands, unless you get the lien satisfied, you cannot register the car in your name in Florida.

I hope you did not pay a lot of money for the car, because the way you discribe it, you will be left with a car you can't register or get insurance on.

There are many crooks out there and unfortunately, I think you found one.

I truly hope it works well for you, but you need to prepare for alternate transportation.

Rob

Auto Insurance Claims

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Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE

Expertise

Please remember. I am not an attorney and cannot legal advice. My answers are based on my experience due to litigation I have been involved in as an expert, for both insurance companies and while oposing them opposing them. I deal with only comprehensive claims on autos related to fire and theft. I have even had the opportunity to rewrite policy coverage language as it relates to vehicle theft and forced entry for insurance defense attorneys.

Experience

Experience in the area: Working with insurance companies and attorneys on these issues for over 20 years. It is very common to have a reported stolen car with a so-called factory anti-theft system to have the theft claim denied. I have served successfully as an expert witness in the courts across the US representing the insured and their attorney revealing that the insurance expert did not take all known theories into consideration before rendering their "Forensic" conclusion. Many insurance carriers us independent "Forensic" experts to examine reported stolen vehicles commonly using flawed methodology implicating the innocent insured with the theft. My job is to determine if the insurance expert reached his conclusions based on accepted scientific principals or just net opinion with no basis other than opinion. My case record against such experts is very compelling.My resume can be seen at the catagory "Auto Theft and Prevention." In "Forensics" the scientific method must be employed. In the forensic locksmith field determining how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, many processes cannot be duplicated and are conveniently not addressed. If they were, juries would have the opportunity to make a fair and impartial opinion at least about what the expert could or could not prove. There is a purported process determining the last key used. The chances of determining such is very rare uless the key is found in the ignition lock. Experts commonly destroy evidence as well and are rarely questioned on this event. I reveal the weakness in their testimony on such instances.

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