How much does a Florida bonded title cost?
The cost of your bonded title in Florida is a percentage of the total amount of the bond you have been asked to obtain. This amount is equal to twice the appraised value of the vehicle you want to get a Florida certificate of title for. The DHSMV uses the Kelly Blue Book or NADA appraisal guides to determine the value of your vehicle.
Once your title bond amount has been determined, you need to contact a surety bond agency and request a quote for this bond. The agency will then forward a quote to you, offered by the surety bond company which issues the bonds. Bond quotes are determined on the basis of an applicant’s financial status, such as their personal credit score, their financial statements, assets and liquidity. Personal credit score is most important.
If you’re offered a 1% quote on your $14,000 bond, this means you’ll need to pay a $140 premium to get your bond.
Applicants with high credit scores– those of 700 FICO or above– can expect to get a quote on their bond that’s between 1% and 3% of the total amount.
Options for applicants with bad credit
Our Bad Credit Program provides options to applicants with low credit scores– or no credit history– to obtain a Florida title bond just as easily as high-credit applicants.
Due to the higher risk involved in bonding applicants with lower scores, rates under this program differ from standard market rates. While cost is determined on an individual basis, applicants can expect to get a rate between 3% and 10% of their total bond amount.
What’s the purpose of Florida title bond?
Getting a bonded title is different from getting a replacement title. A replacement title is necessary when the owner of the vehicle is missing the title carrying their name and certifying their ownership. You’ll need a bonded title if ownership hasn’t been transferred or proven.
For this reason, and in order to protect the public and the DHSMV from instances in which titles are issued to individuals who are not the rightful owners of vehicles, all such titles must be bonded with a Florida title bond.
The title bond is an agreement between the bonded title applicant, the DHSMV, and the surety bond company. It guarantees financial compensation up to the full bond amount to anyone who files a legitimate and rightful claim against the bond. In this case, the surety bond company grants compensation to claimants, and the bonded title holder must repay the surety.
For examples of possible causes for a claim against a Florida title bond, keep reading below.
Florida bonded title holders
According to Florida regulations, a claim can be filed against a title bond when:
- Prior owners, lien holders or subsequent purchasers of a vehicle with a bonded title face expenses, losses or damages (including attorney fees) in relation to the vehicle.
- There is a defect or undisclosed security upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle.
How to apply for a Florida bonded title?
Follow the steps below to apply for and obtain your bonded title in Florida:
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Start by obtaining form ‘HSMV 82042 - Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification’ from the DHSMV and complete part A. This will require you to sign an affidavit and an odometer declaration.
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Upon completing this form, have a Florida Notary Public, Licensed Dealer, Police Officer, or Florida Division of Motorist Services Employee or Tax Collector Employee perform a physical inspection of your vehicle, and verify its vehicle identification number (VIN). Once the inspection is complete, ask them to complete part B of your HSMV 82042 form.
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Complete the HSMV 82026 - Affidavit to Accompany Application for Bonded Title Form, requiring you to certify that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle requiring a bonded title.
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Obtain your Florida title surety bond for a motor vehicle from a surety bond agency. Remember that the amount of your title bond must be twice the appraised value of the vehicle, according to the Kelly Blue Book and NADA national appraisal guides. The bond amount will be determined by the surety bond agency based on those guides.
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As a final step: complete form HSMV 82040 - Florida Application For Certificate of Title With/Without Registration.
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Submit all the above paperwork to the DHSMV and wait for the approval of your application.
Make sure to contact the DHSMV if you have any questions regarding the process of applying for your bonded Florida certificate of title. You can also consult the TL-70 Procedures manual for bonded titles on the website of the Department.
If you need any advice or assistance with the process of obtaining your title bond, call us at 866.450.3412. Our surety professionals will be happy to help you!
