What to do when a Credit Acceptance account holder dies
Report the death to Credit Acceptance Operations Support at 1-800-634-1506
Notifying Credit Acceptance of a death is not a claim for money — it is the step that stops the account, fixes the balance owed as of the date of death, and puts Credit Acceptance on notice as a creditor of the estate. Credit Acceptance Operations Support (1-800-634-1506) handles it.
Before contacting Credit Acceptance, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Credit Acceptance:
Filing a claim
- By email: operationssupport@creditacceptance.com
- By fax: 866-808-6559
- By mail: Credit Acceptance Corporation, Attn: Operations Support, 25505 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48034
- Credit Acceptance has no form for this; the estate representative writes the request
- Account with one customer: Credit Acceptance adds the estate representative to the title and removes the deceased party on a written request from the estate representative
- Account with a customer and a co-signer: it also needs a notarized written request from the non-deceased party
- A third party who did not sign the retail installment sales contract cannot be added to the title
- Once Operations Support processes the request, the documents go to the motor vehicle office you named; contact that office to finish the retitling
- If guaranteed funds are required, mail a money order to Credit Acceptance, 25505 West 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48034
- Payments can also be left in the drop box in front of the Southfield headquarters; payments received by 5:00 p.m. ET post the same business day
- If Credit Acceptance still holds the title, it provides a copy on request at the same number
- Fax to 866-808-6559 or email to operationssupport@creditacceptance.com reach the same department
- The request states your full name, the vehicle information and the address of your preferred motor vehicle office
- Where the account has a living co-signer, enclose that person's notarized written request as well
- When guaranteed funds are required, mail a money order to Credit Acceptance, 25505 West 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48034
Required Documents
- Death certificateAs proof of the customer's passing.
- Proof that you are the estate representative
- Written request to be added to the title, if the estate or an heir intends to keep the vehicleStates your full name, the vehicle information and the address of your preferred motor vehicle office. The estate representative writes it; Credit Acceptance has no form for it.
- Notarized written request from the non-deceased party, if the account has a customer and a co-signer
- The Credit Acceptance account number or the vehicle VIN
- Payment coupon, with the account number on the check or money order, with a mailed payment or payoff
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
In 42 states and DC Credit Acceptance holds the title until the balance is paid, then typically sends the title or lien-release documentation within 30 days of payoff. Where the title is electronic, it releases the lien electronically and mails a lien-release letter instead.1
Credit Acceptance has no grace period: a monthly payment unpaid more than 30 days after the contract due date is reported delinquent, and missed payments can lead to repossession. Removing a name from the title does not release that person from the contract.1
State requirements Credit Acceptance statesFlorida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Michigan, Kansas
- Florida
The title is electronic. After payoff Credit Acceptance releases the lien electronically and mails a lien-release letter; the printed title copy comes from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.1
- Ohio
The title is electronic. After payoff Credit Acceptance mails a lien-release letter, which the estate takes to the local County Clerk's office.1
- Oklahoma
The title is electronic. After payoff Credit Acceptance mails a lien-release letter, which the estate takes to the local County Clerk's office.1
- Michigan
The title is electronic. Michigan prints and mails the paper title once all liens are released.1
- Kansas
The title is electronic. The lien release goes to your motor vehicle office or titling agency to obtain a paper title.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Credit Acceptance Title Department
Registration and plate questions, and title requests that do not involve the death1
Phone: 1-877-271-0509
Fax: 1-866-436-4890
Mailing address: Credit Acceptance Corporation, Attn: Title Department, 25505 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48034
What Credit Acceptance provides to the estate1
- Payoff statement
Credit Acceptance gives a payoff quote immediately by phone at 1-800-634-1506 or in the Customer Portal or mobile app. Interest accrues daily, so the quote is calculated to a date you choose and expires on it; if the estate does not pay by that date, request a new quote.2
Not in Credit Acceptance's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources2
Credit Acceptance Operations Support can be reached by phone at 1-800-634-1506, email at operationssupport@creditacceptance.com, and fax at 1-866-808-6559 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Credit Acceptance primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Credit Acceptance death claims support
Credit Acceptance Operations Support (deceased customer / estate representative title requests)
Phone
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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