Connecticut General Statutes 14-176 – Withholding of certificate. Bond requirement
If the commissioner is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the commissioner may register the vehicle but shall either: (1) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the commissioner as to the applicant’s ownership of the vehicle and that there are no undisclosed security interests in it; or (2) as a condition of issuing a certificate of title, require the applicant to file with the commissioner a bond in the form prescribed by the commissioner and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the commissioner or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The bond shall be in an amount equal to twice the value of the vehicle as determined by the commissioner and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and lienholder 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’s fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title of 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 such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of five years or prior thereto if the vehicle is no longer registered in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the commissioner, unless the commissioner has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 14-176
- Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165
- Lienholder: means a person holding a security interest in a vehicle. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165
- Owner: means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vehicle. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165
- Security interest: means a "security interest" as defined in subdivision (35) of subsection (b) of section 42a-1-201. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165
- State: means a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a province of the Dominion of Canada. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165
- Vehicle: means a motor vehicle as defined by section 14-1. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-165