Purchase of motor vehicles and trailers through claims adjustment process by insurers, procedure, requirements

301.642. Purchase of motor vehicles and trailers through claims adjustment process by insurers, procedure, requirements. — Any insurer which purchases a motor vehicle or trailer through the claims adjustment process for which there is a valid lien or encumbrance perfected under sections 301.600 to 301.640 may, as an alternative to obtaining a lien release under section 301.640, apply for a salvage certificate of title or junking certificate on such motor vehicle or trailer by following the procedures in this section. The insurer may request a letter of guarantee from the lienholder containing a description of the motor vehicle or trailer, including the vehicle identification number, and indicating the amount payable by the insurer to the lienholder in order to release the lien. Upon receipt from the lienholder of such letter of guarantee, the insurer may, within ten days of such receipt, remit payment to the lienholder in accordance with the letter of guarantee and, if such payment satisfies the lien amount indicated in the letter of guarantee to release the lien, the lienholder shall provide proof of satisfaction to the insurer. This procedure shall be followed for each lienholder indicated on the certificate of ownership for the motor vehicle or trailer. Such letter of guarantee and corresponding proof of payment need not be notarized and may be immediately transmitted electronically. The insurer may then submit proof of such payments, a copy of each letter of guarantee, and the title for such motor vehicle or trailer to the department of revenue. The department shall accept such documents in lieu of a lien release and process the insurer's application.