How to Obtain a Car Auction License in Washington

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What Type of License is Required?

Not all states require auto auctioneers to be licensed as auto dealers, but Washington is one of the states that does.

In the state of Washington, auctioneers are considered to be a type of vehicle broker, which requires a Class D auto dealer license. Auto auctioneers do not have any title to or interest in the vehicles they sell, and it is illegal to sell any car that is not registered to you without a dealer license.

Is There a Bonding Requirement?

In states that require auto auctioneers to be licensed, purchasing an auto auction bond, also known as an auto auctioneer bond, is often part of the process. That�s why auction bonds are categorized as a type of license and permit surety bond.

Anyone who wants to auction new or used cars, trucks, or mobile homes in the state of Washington must first purchase a Washington auto auction bond as a prerequisite for licensing. To obtain a Class D auto dealer license, the applicant must purchase a $10,000 continuous auto auction surety bond and pay a $75 license fee to the state.

These bonds protect consumers from financial loss due to any unlawful or unethical actions on the part of a professional auctioneer. In purchasing the bond, an auctioneer is guaranteeing to abide by applicable state and local laws, refraining from such practices as misrepresenting the condition and value of vehicles being auctioned.

How Do Auto Auction Bonds Work?

There are three parties to every surety bond contract: the obligee, the principal, and the surety. For a Washington auto auction bond, the obligee (the party requiring the bond) is the state of Washington, Department of Revenue. The principal is the auctioneer or auction company applying for a Class D license. And the surety is the surety company that underwrites and issues the bond. The surety must be licensed to do business in Washington.

The terms and conditions of the surety bond contract specify what the principal must do (or not do) to avoid violations that could result in a claim on the bond. Anyone who experiences a financial loss due to the unlawful or unethical actions of the principal (such as substituting vehicles or misrepresenting them), can file a claim against the bond.

The surety will typically pay the claim, but only as an advance to give the principal time to gather the funds to cover the claim amount. The bond contract indemnifies the surety and requires the principal to reimburse the surety for any claims paid on behalf of the principal.

Understanding the Costs of a Car Auction License in Washington

The principal will pay an annual premium that is a small percentage of the $10,000 bond amount. The surety establishes this percentage, or premium rate, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the principal�s personal credit score, financial history, and industry experience.

Applicants with good credit typically pay between 1% and 3% of the bond amount, or as little as $100 for the $10,000 bond. Those with poor credit may pay a higher premium rate.

Get The Bond You Need

At Single Source Insurance, our experienced bond professionals know exactly how to get you the best possible rate on the surety bond you need to work as an auto auctioneer in Washington. Apply online today!

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