Law Enforcement
NMVTIS is a tool for law enforcement to investigate vehicle thefts and fraud.
- NMVTIS forwards theft hits that are identified during the titling process to law enforcement for follow up.
- Law enforcement officers can inquire on a particular Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for information on the title and brands. Law enforcement can also create lists of vehicles, by junkyard, salvage yard, or insurance carrier, that are reported as junk or salvage. The Act requires these parties to report monthly to NMVTIS all junk and salvage vehicles obtained.
Manufacturers
Automobile manufacturers can dramatically reduce the use of paper Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin (MCO).
- NMVTIS allows jurisdictions to inquire on an electronic MCO for data necessary to create the vehicle's first title. This will allow the manufacturers to reduce the use of the paper MCO. The jurisdictions will build initial title records from the electronic data created by the manufacturers, which will significantly reduce data entry errors.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies pay theft claims of about $8 billion per year. Carriers will be able to inquire on NMVTIS before writing a policy on a vehicle.
- An inquiry into NMVTIS will show the vehicle’s title, odometer, and brand history, as well as indicate whether the vehicle has been reported stolen. The insurance carrier may use this information in its determination of whether to issue a policy.
Consumers and Other Prospective Purchasers (e.g. dealers or auctions)
Vehicle theft and fraud affect the economy and consumer safety. NMVTIS provides valuable information about the condition of a vehicle.
- State titling agencies "brand" a title based on the condition of a particular vehicle (brands might include flood, junk or salvage). However, a brand may be lost when a paper title travels from state to state--this is called title washing. An unknowing prospective purchaser may pay more than a vehicle is worth, and may not know whether a vehicle has been adequately repaired, making it potentially unsafe to drive.
Prior to purchasing a vehicle, a prospective purchaser will be able to use NMVTIS to access a vehicle’s title, odometer, and brand history, This information can be used to decide whether to buy a vehicle and if so, whether its history would influence the purchase price. For example, if a vehicle was flooded in one state, then got a clean title in a state that does not have a "flood" brand, the prospective purchaser’s inquiry would reveal the first state's brand.
The information in NMVTIS, and its availability to titling agencies, law enforcement, insurance carriers, and buyers of vehicles will result in a reduction in titling of stolen vehicles and a reduction in title fraud. Further, the ability of buyers to check for indicators of the vehicle's safety will reduce the number of unsafe vehicles on the roads.
For more information on NMVTIS or questions regarding jurisdiction participation, contact AAMVA's Operations and Quality Assurance Department.