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Georgia Bonded Title

Georgia residents must have a legal car title before legally registering, driving, insuring, or selling their car. But what happens if your car title is lost? The Peach State allows residents to use a Georgia bonded title as a legal stand-in for the missing car title. This bonded title is a surety bond that is accepted by both the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the police as proof of your ownership of the vehicle. Also known as a Georgia lost title bond, it legally establishes the bondholder as the legal car owner.

What is a Georgia Bonded Title?

A Georgia bonded title is a type of surety bond that gives the bondholder the same legal rights and privileges as a car title. The bond establishes legal ownership of the vehicle. However, it also guarantees that the bondholder is the valid owner and is not fraudulently claiming ownership of someone else's automobile.

The following restrictions apply to GA bonded titles:

• The bonded owner must be a legal Georgia resident.
• The automobile must require a Georgia title.
• The vehicle must be a 1986 or more recent model.
• The car cannot be an abandoned vehicle.

How Does a Bonded Title in Georgia Work?

Like any Georgia surety bond, a Georgia bonded title represents a legal contract between three essential parties:

• The Principal: The person or company that obtains the bond. In this case, the bonded party claiming ownership of the vehicle
• The Obligee: The government agency or business that requires the bond. In this case, the DMV.
• The Surety: The insurance company that underwrites the surety bond.

A Georgia lost title bond allows a resident to establish legal ownership of a vehicle while protecting against fraudulent claims. If another person claims ownership of the title-bonded car, they can file a claim against the bond. The surety thoroughly investigates each claim. If they determine the claim is valid, they will pay the claimant in full up to the bond's total value. Then, the principal must reimburse the surety for the claim as well as all penalties and fees.

The Georgia title bond also protects the DMV from being sued if the bond is granted to the wrong person. The bond focuses all compensation efforts on the bondholder.

Who Needs a Georgia Bonded Title?

Any Georgia resident who owns or operates a vehicle without having the title must obtain a Georgia bonded title. The title bond remains in effect for four years, during which the bondholder can legally drive, register, sell, and insure the vehicle.

How Much Does a Georgia Lost Title Bond Cost?

The price of a Georgia lost title bond, like the cost of most surety bonds, is a tiny fraction of the bond's value. The DMV establishes the title bond value. In Georgia, the bond must equal twice the vehicle's retail value or $5,000, whichever is greater. The title bond for relatively inexpensive cars is around $250. But the bond for more expensive cars typically costs between 1% and 3% of the bond value. Those with sterling credit pay a lower premium than those with poor credit scores.

How to Get a Bonded Title in Georgia?

At Viking Bond Service, acquiring a surety bond is a breeze. Just complete our online bond application. We'll run your credit score and get back to you with a custom quote for your Georgia bonded title ASAP. Or you're welcome to give us a call at 1-888-2-SURETY (1-888-278-7389). Let's get you back behind the wheel again.