How to Take Possession of a Car You Cosigned For | Expert Guide

By signing as a cosigner on a vehicle loan, you effectively agree to be responsible for repaying the debt if the main borrower fails. While lending a friend or family member money to buy a vehicle they otherwise couldn’t pay for may seem like a wonderful deed, cosigning may have significant financial and legal dangers. You could sometimes find yourself in a situation where you must assume ownership of the vehicle you cosigned for. In this post, we’ll go through how to take possession of a car you cosigned for.

How to Take Possession of a Car You Cosigned For

Understand the cosigner’s responsibilities.

A cosigner consents to share liability for a loan or other obligation with another person. By signing as a cosigner, you agree to be held accountable for the loan should the principal borrower default on payments.

This implies that you and the borrower share equal responsibility for the loan and that you may be required to make payments if the borrower fails. Before agreeing to cosign for a vehicle loan, it is critical to comprehend this obligation.

Determine the reason for taking possession.

One of the most frequent scenarios for a cosigner to seize control of a vehicle is when the original borrower is delinquent or in default. In this scenario, the cosigner has two options: either pay off the loan in full or acquire ownership of the vehicle, sell it, and use the earnings to repay the debt in full. 

A cosigner may be required to acquire ownership of a cosigned automobile in the event of divorce or separation. In certain situations, selling or refilling the automobile to release one party from the loan obligation could be necessary. If the principal borrower passes away, the cosigner might have to assume vehicle ownership to sell it, settle the debt, or transfer the title.

Communicate with the primary borrower.

Communication is crucial when receiving ownership of an automobile you cosigned for. Discussing with the principal borrower is crucial to ensure a thorough understanding of the available alternatives and the next steps to be taken.

Being upfront and truthful with the principal borrower while discussing the problem is crucial. Tell them about your worries and solicit their opinion. Talk about the different possibilities, such as refinancing the loan or selling the automobile. Maintain communication with the lender and the borrower at all times.

Review the loan agreement and contact the lender.

You should carefully read the loan agreement to make sure you understand its terms and your obligations as a cosigner. You can find out whether there are any changes to change the loan terms or look into alternative possibilities by reading the loan agreement.

Consider the loan agreement’s interest rate, repayment schedule, and any fines associated with late or missing payments. Reviewing the loan’s overall cost and payback time may also be beneficial.

It’s crucial to contact the lender to ensure you fully comprehend your alternatives and the procedures necessary to acquire vehicle ownership. For information on how to reach the lender, go to their website or contact them via their customer service department. 

Reviewing state laws and regulations

Regarding cosigning an automobile loan, various states have varied laws and rules. Investigating the unique legislation in your state is crucial to comprehend your responsibilities and privileges as a co-signer. When someone cosigns for a vehicle loan, they take over the principal borrower’s obligation to repay the loan in the event of default.

This implies that the cosigner’s credit score may be impacted if the lender pursues them for repayment. The lender may sue the main borrower and the cosigner to recoup the debt if the primary borrower fails on the auto loan. This may consist of repossession, putting a lien on the automobile, or even garnishing your wages.

Confirm ownership and insurance.

You will want a copy of the automobile title and registration to take ownership of the vehicle you cosigned. These papers are available from your state’s DMV.

Review the insurance policy to ensure it is current and offers sufficient coverage before accepting automobile ownership. You will also need to amend the insurance policy to ruminate your co-ownership of the vehicle.

Arrange for payment or refinancing.

If you assume ownership of a vehicle you cosigned for, you should refinish the loan to get better terms. Throughout the loan, this might enable you to save money.

You must look around for lenders that provide competitive rates and conditions if you want to refinance a vehicle loan. You will additionally require to provide proof of your earnings, creditworthiness, and other financial details. If you have the money, you can pay off the auto loan entirely to save money on interest and fees in the long run.

Obtain legal assistance if necessary.

When a borrower doesn’t make payments and efforts to address the situation have failed, it could be time to speak with a lawyer. An attorney can advise on the most appropriate course of action to pursue and the legal choices open to you.

It is finding a lawyer that concentrates on debt collection and has knowledge of cosigner difficulties. A lawyer can advocate for the cosigner in court, initiate a lawsuit, and create demand letters if required. Following the legal procedure and cooperating with the lawyer is crucial for achieving the best possible result.

Initiating legal proceedings if necessary

If all previous efforts have failed, initiating a lawsuit to reclaim the cosigned automobile could be required. This legal action is serious and should not be viewed lightly. An application for replevin, or a court order for the repossession of the car, is required before you may start legal action.

The court in your local county must get a copy of this document. After submitting the petition, you will receive a court date. Both sides will have the opportunity to present their cases in court.

You may provide proof, including any documentation of the borrower’s failure or nonpayment. You will get a court order allowing the car to be repossessed if the judge decides in your favor.

Negotiating with lenders and dealerships

Review the conditions of the loan agreement before haggling with the lender. This will aid in your understanding of your rights and available alternatives, including any potential loan refinancing or restructuring possibilities.

Be open and truthful with the lender throughout negotiations by disclosing the borrower’s financial position. Offer a reasonable payback schedule and offer evidence of your financial security. 

Dealerships may have connections with many lenders and play a role in expediting auto loans. However, they may need help to agree on loan conditions or alter the loan arrangement since they are not the same as lenders. Be very forward with the dealership when discussing your co-signers and your desires for the loan and the vehicle. 

Take possession of the car.

Taking ownership of an automobile you cosigned for might be challenging from a legal and emotional perspective. However, there are several actions you can take to make sure the transfer of ownership goes well.

You can seize the vehicle if the borrower needs to catch up on loan payments. This enables you to request a repo firm to come and remove the borrower’s automobile from their possession. 

In rare circumstances, the borrower may be given a choice to “redeem” the automobile, which entails paying off the whole loan debt (with any late payments and associated fines) and regaining ownership of the vehicle.

Transfer ownership and registration.

Changing ownership and registry into your name immediately after receiving an automobile you cosigned for is crucial. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the transferring of titles procedure normally need to be navigated throughout this process. Gather necessary paperwork, such as the car’s title, enrollment, insurance documentation, and identification, before going to the DMV. If the principal borrower is absent, you may need to produce a bill of sale or a signed affidavit.

You must produce the relevant paperwork to the DMV and any needed fees and taxes. Sales taxes, filing fees, and transfer fees are just a few of the costs that differ from state to state. The title transfer request has to be submitted when you have collected the required paperwork and made the required payments.

Typically, this procedure entails completing a form and submitting your contact information. After reviewing your application, the DMV will change the title and registration of the vehicle to your name.

Continue to monitor the loan and credit report.

It’s crucial to continuously check your repayments and balances as a vehicle loan cosigner to ensure their current and on schedule. Ensure the loan payments are paid on schedule and properly by keeping track of them.

To do this, check the loan records and bank statements to ensure they agree. Additionally, ensure the loan amount is being paid down as anticipated by keeping an eye on it.

My Opinion

In all, the above tips on taking possession of a car you cosigned for are quite indispensable. At this time, it’s also advisable to routinely check your credit report to make sure all the information, including the auto loan, is correct.

Check the report for any missing payments, defaults, or other mistakes. Do not hesitate to contest any errors you uncover with the credit bureaus. Consider taking over the payments to prevent additional harm to your credit score.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/vehicle-repossession