TO:Insurance Companies and Claimants

FROM:Mathew H. Moser, Manager, Titles and Registrations Bureau

DATE:January 13, 2003

RE:Paperless Title Procedures for Insurance Claims

The following are the procedures to be used when a vehicle is totaled by an insurance company.

If the title is an E-title and has never been issued:

  • The claimant will need to provide the insurance company a copy of their current registration receipt, or vehicle verification showing the lienholder’s information. If the claimant’s registration receipt does not show a lienholder, the claimant may obtain a duplicate title by submitting an application for duplicate title to their local county treasurer’s motor vehicle office, or the Titles and Registration Bureau, along with the $8.00 fee. If the claimant is unable to produce a Title and Registration Receipt, a duplicate receipt or vehicle verification may be obtained from their local county treasurer’s motor vehicle office.
  • The claimant must complete a Power of Attorney and Odometer Disclosure for Electronic Title, form TR-40. The insurance company should follow their standard pay off procedures, and provide a copy of the TR-40, Title and Registration Receipt, and specific instructions to the lienholder to mail or fax the lien release directly to the insurance company. The insurance company may also request that the lien release be mailed or faxed to the Titles and Registrations Bureau with instructions that the title is to be mailed to the insurance company. The Titles and Registrations Bureau will produce a clean title, and mail it to the insurance company. Titles may also be picked up in person through the Titles and Registrations Front Counter at the Docking State Office Building, Topeka, KS.

If a paper title has been previously issued:

  • The insurance company will need to obtain a lien release through the same process as above, and apply for a reissued title in the claimant’s name. Submit a completed “Duplicate, Secured, Reissue Title Application,” form TR-720B along with a lien release, a copy of the TR-40 and $8.00 fee to the local county treasurer’s motor vehicle office. Confirm that Special Mailing instructions are on the application.
  • When the insurance company receives the reissued title, complete the assignment of title on the back assigning the title to the insurance company. Transfer the mileage reading from the TR-40 to the assignment. Sign the owner’s name, then the name of the person from the insurance company, POA. Example: John Claimant by Joe Insurance, POA.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please call (785) 296-3621.

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