Salvage title problem on NEW boat in TX

[peppers401k]

Unfortunately I made the BIG mistake of purchasing a brand new 24' pontoon boat & trailer from a local "salvage company" and the only docs I am able to get are the original Certificates from the manufacturer the the package signed off by the dealer to the insurance company. Now, apparently the insurance company is the legal owner of the boat & trailer and are supposed to title it in their name before they can sell it............well, they sold it to the salvage company for scrap, so WHY would the be inclined to title them? I have an invoice from the salvage company, but have been told this is all I will get along with the original certificates. Has anyone ever encountered this problem or have any ideas of how I can get the "TX numbers" for the boat? I am stumped.......thanks for any input,

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Salvage title problem on NEW boat in TX

well since an insurance company sold it to a salvage company it's not "brand new" and there are laws to protect anyone you may sell it to in the future by issuing a salvage title anyone else who buys it will know that it has been totaled by an insurance company at some point in it's life.

you still should be able to register it may require a saftey inspection but it will always have a salvage title.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Salvage title problem on NEW boat in TX

Talk to whatever agency registers boats in Texas. If they tell you that the paperwork that you have is insufficient, its up to the entity that sold you the boat to get the right documents. If they can't comply with Texas law, they need to take the boat back and refund all of your money.

If they won't do that, report them both to the licensing agency and the Texas Attorney General's office. Since this is a "new" 24' toon, I'm guessing that you paid too much for it to take the seller to small claims court. Hopefully, they will do the right thing once they know they have been reported. If not, I'm afraid you are in for a fight.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Salvage title problem on NEW boat in TX

First off, I am not endorsing this plan, but I am just letting you know about it. You may need it as a last resort. There was a thread May 18 from RS2K and there was mention of "Title companies". In essence, you transfer your boat to them, they take it (on paper) to a state that doesn't have boat registrations, then sell it back to you with a new title. Just a suggestion.

 

[peppers401k]

Re: Salvage title problem on NEW boat in TX

Thanks for all of the ideas. To add insult to injury, I won it through an auction with all of the legal disclosures known to man. The boat was only scratched when involved in a wreck, but the dealer did not want to take the chance, thus the settlement with the ins. company. Anyway, atleast I have some where to try to start, thanks for all of your suggestions.