How the Program Works
Throughout the year, Auto Angels receives donated vehicles from generous community members. Our volunteers inspect and repair each car for safety and reliability before it is ever offered to a client (person in need). Agency partners identify clients meeting the requirements listed below. Once a vehicle is ready for transfer, the BelPres Benevolence Team qualifies clients after Agencies present candidate clients. Then the Auto Angel Vehicle Coordinator works with the client to transfer the vehicle.
Client Eligibility Requirements
Each agency ensures their client meets the following:
- Financial hardship
- In good status with the agency’s requirements
- Steady income — the client must have a job or verifiable cash flow
- Has a valid driver’s licence
- Is insurable – has discussed coverage with an insurance agent
- Will have $800 in cash at the time of transfer — this modest fee helps to cover tax, title, license, and some of the costs spent to restore the vehicle to a reliable condition
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Additional Details
Agencies
Because our vehicles are donated and carefully prepared by volunteers, the program works a little differently from a traditional purchase. We want to be upfront with your clients about what to expect so there are no surprises.
- Vehicle Care: Clients are responsible for checking fluid levels, tire pressure, and having maintenance performed when they suspect a problem.
- Scheduling Maintenance and Repair: Clients may use our vehicle maintenance and repair services as long as they are in good standing with one of our agencies. Clients pay for parts however Auto Angels provides labor at no charge.
- No swaps: vehicles are selected for clients.Vehicles are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Because each vehicle represents a significant investment of volunteer time and donated funds, we are not able to hold vehicles while multiple options are compared.
- Special Considerations: If the client has any special vehicle or personal considerations (mobility, space, size, or weight concerns), they need to be raised by the interview process so an appropriate vehicle is considered – note this might cause a delay in receiving a vehicle.
- Vehicle Age: donated vehicles may range from 10 to 25 years old with extensive milage but are inspected and repaired for safety and reliability before transferring to clients.
- No Warranty – “AS-IS”: Once a vehicle is transferred, we are unable to accommodate returns or swaps. Although all vehicles are inspected and repaired, some problems might arise weeks after the transfer. If this occurs, clients are encouraged to notify us so we can diagnose the problem.
The Process Steps:
- Client Submits Request: Submitting form above officially kicks off the process requesting a vehicle.
- Agency Review: Agency contacts the client to confirm they meet the requirements listed above. Qualified clients are forwarded to the BellPres Benevolence Team.
- Client Interview: Benevolence team interviews the client to understand status and needs.
- Selected: The Benevolence team select the client most in need to receive the next vehicle.
- Client Contacted: The Donated Vehicle Coordinator will text or email the client with the “Selected” or “Deferred” decision and explaining any further steps.
- Client Documentation: The client texts or emails pictures of their driver’s licence, insurance coverage, and proof of cash.
- Vehicle Transfer Day:
- Duration: Plan for three hours, though it is often shorter.
- Title & Registration: the client and vehicle coordinator go to the Department of Licensing to complete the title transfer and registration — fees are paid from the $800.
- Keys & Vehicle: After returning to the garage, the vehicle coordinator assists client install the license plates, hands over the keys, answer vehicle questions, and sends the client off with their new vehicle!