627.743 Payment of third-party claims.—
(1) Before making any payment on a claim for damage to an automobile for a total loss, regardless of amount, which automobile is owned by a person who is not named as an insured in the policy under which payment is made, the insurer shall first cause a search of the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be made in order to determine whether the damaged vehicle is subject to any liens. If the search discloses the existence of any liens, payment of the claim shall be made jointly to the owner of the damaged vehicle and the first lienholder of record. The insurer shall not be subject to the requirements of this section if the owner of the damaged vehicle presents to the insurer a title certificate for such vehicle.
(2) When making any payment on a third party claim for damage to an automobile for a partial loss, the insurer shall have printed on the loss estimate, if prepared by the insurer, the following: “Failure to use the insurance proceeds in accordance with the security agreement, if any, could be a violation of s. 812.014, Florida Statutes. If you have any questions, contact your lending institution.” However, this subsection does not apply if the insurer does not prepare the loss estimate.
History.—ss. 560, 809(2nd), ch. 82-243; s. 79, ch. 82-386; s. 24, ch. 83-288; s. 114, ch. 92-318; s. 76, ch. 99-248.
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