Florida HSMV Form 82089 – Insurance Vehicle Release Statement

What Is Florida HSMV Form 82089?

Form HSMV 82089 is a one-page statement completed exclusively by an insurance company. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 319.30(9)(a), the completed and signed form authorizes the independent entity or business named in Section 3 to release the motor vehicle or vessel described in the form to the owner named in Section 1.

An “independent entity” is defined under Florida law as a business that temporarily stores damaged or dismantled motor vehicles or vessels pursuant to an agreement with an insurance company and is engaged in the sale or resale of such vehicles or vessels. This does not include wrecker operators, towing companies, or repair facilities.

The form must be provided by the insurance company directly to the independent entity holding the vehicle or vessel.

When Is Form HSMV 82089 Required?

Insurance companies use Form 82089 when they decide to release a damaged or dismantled vehicle or vessel that is in the possession of an independent entity back to the owner (or in some cases a lienholder). Common scenarios include:

• After a total-loss claim settlement where the insurer no longer needs to retain possession or control of the vehicle.
• When the insured/owner requests the return of the vehicle after the claim process.
• Situations involving salvage or partially damaged vehicles stored by contracted independent entities.

Once the independent entity receives the completed Form 82089, it must notify the owner that the vehicle or vessel is available for pickup. The notice must be sent by certified mail or another commercially available delivery service that provides proof of delivery. The owner then has 30 days from delivery of the notice to claim the vehicle or vessel. If unclaimed, the independent entity may apply for a certificate of destruction, salvage certificate of title, or other appropriate title document.

Key Sections of Florida Form HSMV 82089

The form is divided into three main sections plus a signature block:

Section 1: Owner-Insured and Motor Vehicle or Vessel Information

• Name of Owner
• Name of Insured (if different from owner)
• Mailing addresses for both owner and insured
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Identification Number (HIN) for vessels
• Year, Make (or Manufacturer/Make for vessels)
• Title Number
• Date of Release

Section 2: Insurance Company Information

• Name of Insurance Company
• Telephone Number
• Mailing Address
• Policy Number of Insured
• Claim Number of Insured

Section 3: Independent Entity or Business Information

• Name of Entity or Business
• Telephone Number
• Mailing Address

The form concludes with a declaration under penalties of perjury and requires the signature and printed name of an authorized insurance agent.

How to Complete and Submit Form HSMV 82089?

1. Download the official form from the FLHSMV website: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82089.pdf.
2. The insurance company must accurately complete all applicable fields in Sections 1–3.
3. An authorized representative of the insurance company must sign the form under penalties of perjury.
4. Provide the completed and signed form to the independent entity or business that currently possesses the vehicle or vessel.
5. The independent entity uses the form as authorization to release the vehicle or vessel to the owner and to fulfill subsequent notice requirements under Florida law.

Note: The form itself is submitted by the insurance company to the independent entity. Related title applications or certificates of destruction (if the vehicle remains unclaimed) are later filed with a local Florida tax collector office or license plate agency. You can locate offices at https://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/.

Legal Requirements Under Florida Statute 319.30(9)

Florida law sets minimum content requirements for the release statement:

• Policy and claim number
• Name and address of the insured
• Vehicle identification number or vessel hull identification number
• Signature of an authorized representative of the insurance company

Form HSMV 82089 is the department-prescribed form that satisfies these statutory requirements. After receiving the release statement, the independent entity must:

• Send proper notice to the owner (certified mail or equivalent with proof of delivery).
• Allow 30 days for the owner to claim the vehicle or vessel.
• Make required notifications to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) before releasing a motor vehicle or applying for certain title documents.

Full statutory text is available on the official Florida Senate website: Chapter 319 Section 30, Florida Statutes.

Related FLHSMV Forms

Form 82089 is often used in conjunction with other FLHSMV documents, including:

• HSMV 82090 – Insurance Company Motor Vehicle Statement of Fact (used when the insurer seeks a salvage title or certificate of destruction in its own name after unsuccessful attempts to obtain the title from the owner or lienholder).
• HSMV 82040 series – Applications for Certificate of Title.
• HSMV 82012 – Application for Certificate of Destruction.

Always use the most current versions available on the official FLHSMV Forms page.

Important Tips for Insurance Companies and Independent Entities

• Use only the official current revision (Rev. 07/24) of Form 82089.
• Ensure all information is accurate—errors can delay release or title processing.
• Retain copies of the completed form and proof of delivery of any subsequent owner notices.
• Independent entities must follow the 30-day notice timeline strictly before applying for title documents in their own name.
• The form does not transfer ownership; it only authorizes physical release of the vehicle or vessel to the owner.