604A.455 - Title loans: Applicability of Uniform Commercial Code; repossession of vehicle; civil action. - Nevada Statutes

604A.455  Title loans: Applicability of Uniform Commercial Code; repossession of vehicle; civil action.

      1.  Except where in conflict with the provisions of this section, the provisions of chapter 104 of NRS apply to any title loan between a licensee and a customer.

      2.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a customer defaults on a title loan, or on any extension or repayment plan relating to the title loan, the sole remedy of the licensee who made the title loan is to seek repossession and sale of the vehicle which the customer used to secure the title loan. The licensee may not pursue the customer personally for:

      (a) Payment of the loan, unless the licensee proves the customer prevented the repossession and sale of the vehicle by any means, including, without limitation, hiding the vehicle; or

      (b) Any deficiency after repossession and sale of the vehicle which the customer used to secure the title loan, unless the licensee proves the customer damaged or otherwise committed or permitted waste on the vehicle. For the purposes of this paragraph, it shall not be deemed waste for the customer to continue to use the vehicle in the same manner it was used before the customer entered into the title loan.

      3.  If a vehicle is repossessed pursuant to this section:

      (a) By the licensee or his or her employees, the licensee shall make reasonably available to the customer any personal property in or upon the vehicle; or

      (b) By a third party acting on behalf of the licensee, the licensee shall instruct the third party to make reasonably available to the customer any personal property in or upon the vehicle.

      4.  If a customer uses fraud to secure a title loan or if the customer wrongfully transfers any interest in the vehicle to a third party before the title loan is repaid, the licensee may bring a civil action against the customer for any or all of the following relief:

      (a) The amount of the loan obligation, including, without limitation, the aggregate amount of the interest, charges and fees negotiated and agreed to by the licensee and customer as permitted under this chapter, less any prior payments made by the customer;

      (b) Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs; and

      (c) Any other legal or equitable relief that the court deems appropriate.

      5.  As used in this section, “fraud” means an intentional misrepresentation, deception or concealment of a material fact known to the customer with the intent to deprive the licensee of his or her rights or property or to otherwise injure the licensee. The term includes, without limitation, giving to a licensee as security for a title loan the title to a vehicle which does not belong to the customer.

      (Added to NRS by 2005, 1692)