Insurance companies can apply to the department for certain vehicle titles after a claim payment, but the application must include specific notices and documents.
Sec. 501.0925. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT REQUIRED TO SURRENDER CERTIFICATES OF TITLE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. (a) An insurance company that acquires, through payment of a claim, ownership or possession of a motor vehicle covered by a certificate of title that the company is unable to obtain may obtain from the department not earlier than the 30th day after the date of payment of the claim: (1) a salvage vehicle title for a salvage motor vehicle; (2) a nonrepairable vehicle title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle; or (3) a regular certificate of title for a motor vehicle other than a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle. (b) An application for a title under Subsection (a) must be submitted to the department on a form prescribed by the department and include: (1) a statement that the insurance company has provided at least two written notices attempting to obtain the certificate of title for the motor vehicle; and (2) evidence acceptable to the department that the insurance company has made payment of a claim involving the motor vehicle. (c) An insurance company that acquires, through payment of a claim, ownership or possession of a motor vehicle covered by a certificate of title for which the company is unable to obtain proper assignment of the certificate may obtain from the department not earlier than the 30th day after the date of payment of the claim: (1) a salvage vehicle title for a salvage motor vehicle; (2) a nonrepairable vehicle title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle; or (3) a regular certificate of title for a motor vehicle other than a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle. (d) An application for a title under Subsection (c) must be submitted to the department on a form prescribed by the department and include: (1) a statement that the insurance company has provided at least two written notices attempting to obtain a proper assignment of the certificate of title; and (2) the certificate of title. (e) A title issued under Subsection (a) or (c) must be issued in the name of the insurance company. (f) An insurance company that acquires, through payment of a claim, ownership or possession of a salvage motor vehicle or nonrepairable motor vehicle covered by an out-of-state ownership document may obtain from the department a salvage vehicle title or nonrepairable vehicle title if: (1) the motor vehicle was damaged, stolen, or recovered in this state; (2) the motor vehicle owner from whom the company acquired ownership resides in this state; or (3) otherwise allowed by department rule. (g) A title may be issued under Subsection (f) if the insurance company: (1) surrenders a properly assigned title on a form prescribed by the department; or (2) complies with the application process for a title issued under Subsection (a) or (c). (h) The department shall issue the appropriate title to a person authorized to apply for the title under this section if the department determines that the application is complete and complies with applicable law. (i) The department by rule may provide that a person required by this section to provide notice may provide the notice electronically, including through the use of e-mail or an interactive website established by the department for that purpose. (j) Section 501.1001(c) applies to a motor vehicle acquired by an insurance company as described in Subsection (a), (c), or (f). (k) The department may adopt rules to implement this section. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136 (H.B. 1422), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 20.007, eff. September 1, 2013.