{"id":496,"date":"2018-08-07T18:40:49","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T18:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.performancesuretybonds.com\/blog\/?p=496"},"modified":"2022-01-24T16:04:28","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T16:04:28","slug":"whats-covered-auto-dealer-bond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.performancesuretybonds.com\/blog\/whats-covered-auto-dealer-bond\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Covered by an Auto Dealer Bond"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/b>Before they are able to be licensed in most states, auto dealers must file a surety bond called an auto dealer bond with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, what the auto dealer bond covers and how to get such a bond can be confusing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Do I Need An Auto Dealer Bond?<\/h2>\n

Auto dealer bonds<\/span><\/a> protect customers, offering them an avenue for financial recourse in case of unethical actions caused by auto dealers. If the state or a customer does make a successful claim against an auto dealer bond, the surety will pay, and the dealer will be responsible to pay for that cost. For example, if fraud is committed or a car is sold with bad tags, that dealer may be facing a claim.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Although auto dealer bond protects the public, it benefits you and your dealership, too\u2014but maybe not in the way you think. For example, an auto dealer bond doesn’t protect you from theft by employees. However, an auto dealer bond does prove to potential customers that you follow the law and behave ethically.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Much do Auto Dealer Bonds Cost?<\/h2>\n

The exact price of your auto dealer bond will vary based on the required amount of the bond, your credit score, and your application and financial credentials. Things like tax liens and unpaid collections on your credit report will make it a bit harder to get a low premium. In general, auto dealers with stronger credit pay premiums of 1 to 5 percent of the bond amount. Those with credit challenges may pay 10 to 20 percent.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s Covered by Auto Dealer Bonds?<\/h2>\n

Auto dealer bonds are not insurance, but instead, offer recourse for consumers with work and performance claims. State and local agencies can also make claims against bonds to collect penalties, costs, or fines owed by dealers who fail to adhere to the terms of the bond.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Under the terms of the bond’s terms, you can be held responsible for any of your actions, depending on industry regulations and the legal language on the bond form. For example, auto dealer bonds specifically prohibit dealers from using unethical strategies to sell, misrepresenting merchandise, failing to pay required taxes and other fees to the state, and failing to provide valid title paperwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Both the state and customers can file a claim against the bond and your business. Claims can arise not only from deliberate bad acts and violations, but also potentially from simple errors and customer misunderstandings. Therefore, to help prevent claims, it\u2019s smart to try to amicably work out any customer disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The reasons for filing auto dealer bond claims that are most common include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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