Car Accident Property Damage Tip: Insurance Can Pay for the License Plate Transfer Fee

The Car Accident Property Damage: How-to Guide, is a comprehensive video series that equips you with step-by-step guidance and practical tips for autonomously handling your car insurance claim for property damage to vehicles when no personal injuries were involved.

This guide is provided for you by the personal injury firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers. Andrew Kryder, experienced Chicago car accident attorney and the founding partner in the firm, is well-known for his ability to explain legal matters in an easy-to-understand manner.

This series will give you tips and step-by-step procedures on how to manage your auto insurance claim independently. Gain insights and answers to your questions on how to deal with the claims adjuster from your auto insurance company in the aftermath of an auto accident: from filing claims and setting the fair market value to replacing your totaled car.

Transferring License Plates on Total Loss Vehicles

Andy begins, “Here’s another tip to make sure you get every dollar you’re entitled to.”

In this section, he explains how your insurance company coverage can cover the cost of transferring your license plate when your totaled car was involved in a non-injury car accident. Insurers will pay the actual cash value when your car is totaled in an accident, but buying a new vehicle is not your only expense, and many insurance companies will include other costs in their settlement offer.

“If your car’s been totaled,” Andy continues, “you’re probably going to have to transfer the license plates from your old car to the new car that you purchased.”

“That’s not free. If you’ve got to go to the Secretary of State’s office, they’re going to charge you [money for transferring your plates. Depending on where you live], it might be anywhere from $80 to $120—maybe even more.”

A Car Insurance Policy May Pay to Transfer Your Plates to the New Car

“But remember,” Andy reminds us, “the insurance company should pay for that. Again, insurance is about restoring you to the same position that you were in. The only reason you’re paying to transfer the plates from one car to the other” is because the client of the auto insurance carrier was responsible for your totaled vehicle.

Maximize the Pay-Out from Your Insurance Provider

“This is a cost associated with that accident and that damage. They should pay for it. Ask the insurance company to do so. They might. They might not.”

“But make sure you ask because I want to make sure you get every dollar you’re entitled to, and this is one way to do it.”