Vehicle Transport Liability Question

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2012-09-11 8:25 AM

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Subject: Vehicle Transport Liability Question

I'm hoping to find a lawyer to contact, but am in need of some advice.  I am selling a travel trailer to a person who lives in New York, (I'm in michigan).  The quickest way to travel from my place to new york is thru canada.  I'm a confused about transport. 

In michigan, if you have the title, bill of sale, and insurance then you can transport from A to B without needed a license plate, but I think to go into Canada you have to have a plate. Does anybody know what liability I will have if I let her take the plate on the vehicle assuming she has taken ownership, signed title, bill of sale, just for transport?  I'd have her send me back the plate immediately upon arrival.

I have contacted the secretary of state here in MI to inquire about transport plates, but you can only get them in person and it sounds like she's planning on coming on the weekend when they are closed. 

I'm open for ideas.

Thanks

Shortyy

2012-09-11 10:13 AM
in reply to: #4405184

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Subject: RE: Vehicle Transport Liability Question

interesting, I am assuming in Michigan the plates stay with you? As far as I know for my state the plates stay with the car, at least on any car I have ever bought or received. so that would not be a problem. However I would point out - if she needs the plates to get it through Canada, isn't it the buyers responsability to figure that out and not yours? Once sold and the paperwork is signed - follow the law in your state, which means taking the plates if that is what you have to do, and she needs to figure out the rest. If she needs travel plates, maybe she should wait until Monday to get them or come in on a Friday? She could also not take the shortest route and drive through the states to get there.

I realize you are trying to be nice most likely but at what point do you let the buyer become the responsable party for figuring out/determining the logistics?

2012-09-12 6:55 AM
in reply to: #4405184

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Subject: RE: Vehicle Transport Liability Question
I would not give my license plate to anyone without accepting and expecting) liability for what that person does while in possession of your plate.  I realize you said it's quicker through Canada, but I would tell the buyer they have to take the longer route and stay in the States or else figure out how to get their own plates.
2012-09-12 9:31 AM
in reply to: #4405501

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Subject: RE: Vehicle Transport Liability Question
bel83 - 2012-09-11 9:13 AM

interesting, I am assuming in Michigan the plates stay with you? As far as I know for my state the plates stay with the car, at least on any car I have ever bought or received. so that would not be a problem. However I would point out - if she needs the plates to get it through Canada, isn't it the buyers responsability to figure that out and not yours? Once sold and the paperwork is signed - follow the law in your state, which means taking the plates if that is what you have to do, and she needs to figure out the rest. If she needs travel plates, maybe she should wait until Monday to get them or come in on a Friday? She could also not take the shortest route and drive through the states to get there.

I realize you are trying to be nice most likely but at what point do you let the buyer become the responsable party for figuring out/determining the logistics?

 

agree with all of this.

2012-09-12 9:53 AM
in reply to: #4405184

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Subject: RE: Vehicle Transport Liability Question

Thanks for all the replies.

In michigan the plates do not follow the vehicle.  I was inquiring b/c it would be easier for all involved to keep the plate on the trailer, but once title is signed over, its new owners problem.  I just wasnt sure if i'd be on the hook if something happened. 

Figured it didnt hurt to ask.

2012-09-12 12:01 PM
in reply to: #4405184

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Subject: RE: Vehicle Transport Liability Question

 

I am not a lawyer but I am in insurance. Once you sign that title over it is their vehicle, plates shouldn't matter, if anything they would get in trouble for fictitious display for running your plates on their vehicle.

The other fact of the matter is, liability insurance for a trailer is extended from the towing vehicle. So when you go to insure a trailer it doesn't have it's own liability insurance, it comes from whatever vehicle is towing it. So their insurance would be primary if there was an accident.

Essentially I am pretty sure you would be okay to let them take the plate so they can avoid hassle at the border. 

But you also never know who you can trust these days, while I am betting you would prevail in court, do you really want to go to court when the buyer decides the wreck was caused by the trailer and tries to go after you for it? Might be something you need to decide once you meet the person.

I let someone drive home on my plates once. I deemed them trustworthy enough and they weren't going far. 

Really up to you. If you don't want any risk at all, keep your plates and it is their problem not yours on how to get it home or which route to take.

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