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Why would my car insurance company want me to sign a power of attorney form?
My insurance representative wants me to sign a power of attorney without any witnesses or notaries involved. She stated that the law as of October 20, 2021, has changed. Is this true? What will happen if I send those papers out without them being notarized or witnessed?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I completely understand your concern; it is always good to ask questions when it comes to legal documents! There have been some recent changes to the power of attorney laws, especially in
New York
. It is common for
car insurance
companies to request a signed power of attorney form in the course of a claim where a car is totaled. When a vehicle is totaled, the insurance company needs permission to change the car’s title and put it up for auction or sell it to a salvage yard. These transactions require a lot of paperwork and signatures, so it is faster if the insurance company assumes the car’s ownership at that time. Insurance companies are heavily regulated, so their power is minimal and can only be used during the claim and in relation to the activities of the claim.
The rule changes that New York has made make processing the power of attorney paperwork easier and without so much red tape. This could be why you no longer need a witness or a notary. That being said, never sign anything that you aren’t comfortable with!
I suggest getting in touch with a local notary office and asking if they have heard of any legal updates regarding this form. Also, ask your insurance company if you can have a witness and a notary sign the paper anyway; just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean you can’t have it done.
Finally, getting in touch with a
car insurance lawyer
is also an option. Most of them have free consultations, so asking a couple of questions shouldn’t cost you anything. In the future, if you want help with your car insurance policy and would like to speak with experienced agents you can trust, download the
Jerry
app. Not only does Jerry shop low rates for car insurance with over 50 insurance providers, but you can also text a Jerry agent with any questions, and they will text you right back with assistance. No more long phone calls. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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