You may offer an Iowa title bond as a condition of obtaining a title and registration plates in the state if your motor vehicle cannot be titled or registered by a county treasurer because you do not have the proper title documents. Iowa Code 321.24 (11) states that if the county treasurer or registration department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the county treasurer or department may register the vehicle but shall require the applicant to file with the department an Iowa certificate of title bond. The Iowa Department of Transportation is responsible for first investigating the title to determine if an active title is in existence, then fixing the value of the motor vehicle so that you can calculate the appropriate bond amount. The Iowa title bond must be written in an amount equal to one and one-half times the current value of the vehicle as determined by the Department and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and secured party and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title for the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any interested party has a right of action to recover on the Iowa certificate of title bond. The bond is returned to the principal or surety at the end of three years or earlier if the vehicle is no longer registered in Iowa and the current certificate of title is surrendered to the department, unless the department has been notified of a claim agains the Iowa title bond. Once you have received your bond you forward the same along with an Iowa bonded title application to the Department, who investigates the submission then authorizes a county treasurer to issue you a new title. Iowa surety leader, Surety One, Inc. offers a seven line title bond application and instant issue of the the requested title bond. It doesn’t matter what the facts are surrounding your title loss, we will offer you bond terms. Visit us at SuretyOne.com, call (787) 333-0222 or (800) 373-2804, or email Underwriting@SuretyOne.com for an Iowa title bond application or for further information about surety or title bonds.
