Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your North Carolina title bond needs. Learn more about the North Carolina bonded title process, below.
What Is a Bonded Title?
A bonded title looks like a standard title except for carrying a “BONDED” brand. It will allow you to do the same things you could do with a standard title—insure, register, sell, or donate a vehicle. A North Carolina bonded title is backed by a surety bond that guarantees payment of damages to a prior owner or lienholder. It also indemnifies the state if it turns out that DMV should not have issued you a bonded title.
Who Is Eligible for a Bonded Title?
To find out if you’re eligible for a North Carolina bonded title, explain your circumstances to your local DMV. For example, perhaps you bought a vehicle in a private sale but did not receive a title, received a defective title, or the title was lost or stolen before you could register the vehicle in your name.
If the vehicle was ever registered to you but your title was lost or stolen, you need a replacement title certificate, not a bonded title.
How Do I Get a Bonded Title?
The following is an overview of the process for obtaining a North Carolina bonded title:
- Complete the “Title Application and Affidavit of Facts to Accompany Indemnity Bond” and have your signature notarized.
- Bring the form and the vehicle to a North Carolina DMV License and Theft Bureau inspector for verification of the VIN and odometer reading. The inspector will make sure the vehicle is not listed as stolen and will give you the completed inspection form.
- Get the vehicle appraised at a DMV license plate agency or by calling the Customer Contact Center.
- Purchase a North Carolina title bond in an amount that is 1.5 times the vehicle’s appraised value and has a three-year term.
- Submit the bond and all other paperwork to the local DMV office.
How Are Title Bond Claims Paid?
If a claim is filed against your North Carolina title bond by the rightful owner or a lienholder who can prove a financial loss caused by your claim of ownership, you are legally obligated to pay that claim. In most cases, though, the surety company will pay the claim on your behalf and allow you to repay that debt in affordable installments.
How Much Does a Title Bond Cost?
The premium for a North Carolina title bond covers the entire three-year term of the bond. Bonds for $25,000 or less do not typically go through underwriting and may be sold for as little as $100. Bonds for $25,000 or more are subject to underwriting, and the premium rate is based primarily on the applicant’s personal credit score. If your credit is good, you will most likely pay a premium rate in the range of 1% to 2% of the required bond amount.
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Our surety bond professionals will get you the North Carolina title bond you need at a competitive rate.
