{"id":8829,"date":"2019-09-03T08:15:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T15:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sands-trustee.com\/?p=8829"},"modified":"2025-08-20T12:52:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T19:52:23","slug":"overview-seize-or-sue-vehicle-loans-bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sands-trustee.com\/blog\/overview-seize-or-sue-vehicle-loans-bc\/","title":{"rendered":"An Overview of Seize or Sue and Vehicle Loans in BC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As Licensed Insolvency Trustees we are often contacted by people who have vehicle loans or leases but can no longer afford to maintain their ongoing payments. In BC there are laws under the Personal Property Security Act (\u201cPPSA\u201d) that can help consumers deal with a car loan that is no longer affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on for an overview of the concept known as \u201cseize or sue\u201d in BC, debt management options that may allow you to keep your vehicle loan or lease and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BC\u2019s provincial laws that govern security interests in personal property are set out in the Personal Property Security Act<\/a>, \u201cseize or sue\u201d describes a unique set of rules in BC (not all provinces will have seize or sue equivalents in place).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to vehicle loans, the BC seize or sue provisions apply if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What seize or sue means is that in the event you are unable to continue to pay or simply stop paying your vehicle loan, the creditor may take one of the following actions against you \u2013 but not both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lender must decide if they will seize the vehicle and sell it to try to recover the money they are owed, or if they will allow you to keep the vehicle and pursue you for the loan balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our experience is that if the vehicle is still of significant value compared to the amount outstanding on the loan, the creditor will often choose to seize the vehicle as they believe they will be able to get a good recovery of monies owed. If the vehicle value is quite low, creditors may choose to not seize the asset, but rather, could pursue the individual for full payment of the loan value outstanding and release their ability to seize the car for payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read an Overview of Wage Garnishments and Other Garnishees in BC<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important for consumers to understand that the seize or sue provisions apply only to loans and financing arrangements but do not<\/u> apply to agreements that are \u201ctrue leases\u201d. If your leased vehicle is seized, the creditor will be able to demand payment on the shortfall of the vehicle\u2019s lease<\/u>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contract and financing agreements can be difficult to decipher \u2013 connect with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or seek a legal opinion if you\u2019re unsure whether you entered a true lease.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seize or sue provisions are generally only applicable in situations where your vehicle is seized by the secured creditor. Signing a voluntary surrender document may waive your rights to utilize the seize or sue laws and give your creditor recourse to collect on payments from you for the balance of any shortfall on the vehicle. We advise that you seek legal advice before signing any documents relating to the surrender of a vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, there are no \u201cbuyer\u2019s remorse\u201d laws in BC that will allow you to return a newly purchased vehicle to a dealership. There may be some exceptions to this, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to vehicle seizure there are generally two different situations in which this will occur:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process for a creditor who holds a vehicle loan to repossess a vehicle may follow these steps, although some may differ depending on your creditor and their lending arrangement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The security agreement (i.e. loan) being in default (i.e. missing payments) is the first step. Some people who can no longer afford to make payments on their vehicle loan decide to stop making payments and advise the creditor that they will no longer make the payments (this can sometimes prompt the creditor to act faster in seizing the vehicle), or they may have already missed payments and defaulted on the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a default on the loan agreement if the creditor has decided to seize the vehicle (rather than relinquish their interest in it and instead sue for the balance) they may give notice that they propose to take the vehicle in satisfaction of the obligation secured by it (i.e. the debt).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure adequate insurance coverage on the vehicle is maintained while it is still in your possession and avoid wilful, reckless or negligent acts that may damage the vehicle. Doing so may disqualify you from seize or rules in BC.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A licensed bailiff typically collects property being seized on behalf of the secured creditor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to remove license plates and any personal items from the vehicle when your car is repossessed (or surrendered). You will not be able to cancel the insurance without the license plates and could therefore be responsible for paying insurance premiums until the vehicle is re-sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No less than 20 days before the disposition of the vehicle, the secured creditor gives a notice of disposition containing details of the seizure and upcoming disposition including the balance in arrears, the amount required to satisfy the debt secured, the date, time or place to offer closed tenders of any public auction sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re able to pay the arrears owed, costs of repossessing the vehicle, and sometimes additional funds due under an acceleration clause you may reinstate your security agreement and resume making payments under your original loan agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The creditor may dispose of the vehicle a few different ways, including by private sale, public sale or auction, or by lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n If your vehicle is repossessed, a notation will be made on your credit history report and may be reflected for up to seven years. A balance for a shortfall remaining from a vehicle lease may also be noted on your credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n Not all vehicle liens are due to purchasing a new vehicle. Other common debts may result in a creditor holding a lien on your vehicle that you may have previously owned free and clear, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can search for liens registered on a BC vehicle online<\/a> \u2013 it\u2019s especially important to check for liens on a used vehicle you may be considering purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n Many people have difficulty managing their vehicle payments due to other debts such as credit cards. Consolidating debts by making a Consumer Proposal to your creditors, or even filing a personal bankruptcy can effectively reduce your debts down to what you can afford to repay and result in the remaining debts being written-off and forgiven by your creditors. Often consumers find that once they are no longer juggling so many debts, they are then able to maintain their vehicle payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The start of a Consumer Proposal or bankruptcy<\/a> can be a good time to evaluate whether you want to continue with a vehicle loan or lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Exceptions to Seize or Sue Rules in BC<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vehicle Leases<\/u><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Voluntary Surrender of a Vehicle<\/u><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Buyers\u2019 Remorse Laws in BC<\/u><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Steps for Vehicle Repossession<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Credit Rating Impact of Vehicle Repossession<\/u><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other Debts and Liens on Your Car <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Vehicle Loans or Leases in a Consumer Proposal or Personal Bankruptcy<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n