Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.04
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.04.380 (2026)

Owner

✓ current as of May 2026
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"Owner" means a person who has a lawful right of possession of a vehicle by reason of obtaining it by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance or legal action whether or not the vehicle is subject to a security interest and means registered owner where the reference to owner may be construed as either to registered or legal owner.
[ 1975 c 25 s 2; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.380. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 39; prior: 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part; 1929 c 180 s 1, part; 1927 c 309 s 2, part; RRS s 6362-2, part.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 1956–2002 · leading case: Farmers Ins. v. U. S. F. & G. Co., 537 P.2d 839 (Wash. Ct. App. 1975).
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Farmers Ins. v. U. S. F. & G. Co., 537 P.2d 839 (Wash. Ct. App. 1975). · cites it 2× “It is claimed that the word “owner” as used in the framework of an automobile liability insurance policy is the same as the statutory definition of “owner” in RCW 46.04.380, citing Beatty v. Western Pac.”
Dep't of Labor & Indus. v. Mitchell Bros. Truck Line, Inc., 113 Wash. App. 700 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “” RCW 46.04.380 (emphasis added). Title 46 RCW appears to contemplate lease arrangements, such as that between Mitchell Bros, and lease-operators, as conferring an ownership interest in motor vehicles; (5) Lastly, we note the judicial construction of “owner” in automobile…”
Beatty v. W. Pac. Ins., 445 P.2d 325 (Wash. 1968). “” 5 “RCW 46.04.380 Owner. ‘Owner’ means a person who holds a title of ownership of a vehicle, or in the event the vehicle is subject to an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with a right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and…”
Pub. Employees Mut. Ins. v. Kelly, 805 P.2d 822 (Wash. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “[5] RCW 46.04.380 states that: "`Owner' means a person who has a lawful right of possession of a vehicle by reason of obtaining it by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance or legal action .”
Dep't of Labor & Indus. v. Mitchell Bros. Truck Line, Inc., 54 P.3d 711 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “RCW 46.04.380. Title 46 RCW appears to contemplate lease arrangements, such as that between Mitchell Bros.”
Smith v. Downs, 292 P.2d 205 (Wash. 1956). “” RCW 46.04.380 defines “owner” as follows: “ ‘Owner’ means a person who holds a title of ownership of a vehicle, or in the event the vehicle is subject to an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with a right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated…”
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