Why would you insure a car you don’t legally own or lease yet? It’s still responsibility of the original lessee.
Ask for a super or a manager at FS and see if it was a record of the title and if they can work with it. Sometimes they can.
But, yeah, that’s CA DMV for you.
We we’re required to add the car to our insurance and send proof of it being on our policy as part of stage 2. The transfer docs said the policy had to start coverage within 10 days of stage 2
Yes, this is accurate for stage 2. Additionally, a CA to anywhere transfer is brutal, and it’s entirely the fault of the CA BMV vs. BMWFS.
Interesting. I’ve transferred out recently and still maintained insurance until the transferee picked up the car, haven’t assumed in years. Wonder why they want essentially double insurance by both parties? Better question, can you go back to your carrier and ask for an adjustment/credit due to DMV delays when the dust settles?
BMWFS is required to verify the insurance of the party assuming the contract prior to the completion of stage 2.
Funny enough, I just contacted the CA DMV and they confirmed that the actual paper title was dispatched via USPS on 7/1 - yet the title vendor in MD that BMW uses still says they are waiting on the title delivery. Last time I checked, it doesn’t take USPS 2 weeks to deliver an envelope, it’s more like 3-5 business days…
I actually do not know what is going on anymore. Total process time is now over 60 days and counting.
All of my 1st class, cross-country, USPS mail (CA → East Coast) has been at least 5 days often longer. If you mail a birthday card a week before, it might be late. A lot of inbound postmarks from East Coast pushing 7 days.
I see, but it’s now 10 business days / 2 weeks since dispatch to USPS. Is that still within range for coast to coast snail mail?
Why would one ship a title any class of service without tracking information?
BMW can ask the CA DMV to request a trace with USPS if it hasn’t arrived.
This is the CA BMV we are talking about…. 
There is no tracking # regardless – here is what the DMV agent said:
“It was sent using regular USPS mail so unfortunately it does not come with tracking. We have to allow a full 30 days before another replacement can be issued if you did not receive this shipment”
I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this. Hundreds of $$$ already spent on insurance as part of stage 2. All of the electronic titling is done through a 3rd party vendor in Maryland (as in the paper title is requested by the vendor, then delivered to MD from CA DMV, lastly only then delivered by the vendor to back BMWFS).
Going to call tomorrow and let BMW know what’s up. If they claim that the vendor didn’t receive the dispatch from 7/1 then that automatically adds at least 30 more days. I just want my M4 
Highly debating jumping ship from this CA process to another guy in FL. Has anyone here recently completed an FL → out of state transfer? Is it a much quicker turnaround? Any insight would be much appreciated
Yes I did 2 months ago. 5 days. From FL to MI. Total 5 business days from Credit applied to stage 3 completion.
What car is it that you were taking over from California ?
Oh wow, that’s quick. Did BMW have to request a paper title from the FL DMV or did they already have it on hand. And the car I’m taking over (or trying to, at least) is an m4 competition
Title was in house. But even if it wasnt with FL, the title request takes less than 1 week for BMW as the state carries them electronically and just mails BMW a copy upon request.
Ohio will be the fastest (yes, really). Any other state but CA should be reasonably quick (1-2 weeks). It is not easy to back out of a deal after stage 2 is complete, but it could probably be done. The individual you’re taking it over from will be seething though. A vehicle going to CA is not a big deal, but a lease leaving CA is what takes forever. Their own CS reps openly make fun of how long it takes.
Stage 2 finally complete today - starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel after 60+ days. woohoo
Adding in my timeline for those interested as of September 2025. I am the transferor:
All in all took exactly a week and one day from the credit application submission to final email. I would have imagined this would have been 1 day shorter if the credit app wasn’t sent via email to BMWFS. Also because of electronic titles it took a while. Assumptions department seems to be very fast probably because not many people have good enough leases to transfer.
I just transferred my BMW Ohio to Ohio and stage 3 was complete 24 hours after I paid the transfer fee. New high score boys!!
Very quick lease assumption. GA to NJ. Took 3 business days.
Stage 1
Fri 10/24: Credit application sent to transferee in the morning and completed late afternoon.
Fri 10/24: Credit Application Approved - instant approval it seems.
Stage 2
Mon 10/27: Stage 2 Lease Assumption documents emailed in the morning and signed electronically
Tues 10/28: Stage 2 Complete email received early afternoon.
Stage 3
Wed 10/29: Lease Transfer Complete email received in the morning
Such an underrated incentive to lease with BMW (when they are not moving the goal posts lol)