What Happens to Your Car After It Gets Towed
- oceanfortowing
- Jan 16
- 6 min read
When a vehicle is towed, it is moved to a secure impound lot or a storage facility designated by the towing company or local authorities. Once the car arrives at the facility, staff record the vehicle's specific details, including the make, model, license plate, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The car remains at this location until the owner provides proof of ownership, pays the required towing and storage fees, and settles any outstanding legal issues that necessitated the tow.
If a vehicle is not claimed within a specific period, usually ranging from 30 to 90 days depending on local laws, the storage facility may begin the process of declaring the car abandoned. This leads to the vehicle being sold at a public auction to cover unpaid costs or being sent to a salvage yard for parts and scrap metal. This guide explains every step of the storage and recovery process to help owners act quickly. Ocean Towing Inc. provides this information based on extensive experience in vehicle logistics and impound management to ensure owners understand their rights and obligations.
Locating the Vehicle and Initial Processing
The first step after discovering a car is missing involves identifying which company moved it and where it is currently held. For urgent situations or after-hours questions, contacting a 24-hour towing service can help owners locate their vehicle faster. For cars removed from private property, such as apartment complexes or shopping centers, signs posted at the entrance must list the contact information for the contracted towing provider.
Upon arrival at the storage yard, a vehicle undergoes a formal check-in process. Staff members document the condition of the exterior to prevent disputes regarding potential new damage. Many facilities also perform an inventory of visible personal items. This documentation creates a formal record that protects both the property owner and the facility management.
Understanding Storage Facility Operations
Impound lots are typically fenced, lighted, and monitored by surveillance cameras to protect the stored property. According to industry standard reports from IBISWorld, the towing industry operates under strict state and local regulations that dictate how vehicles must be stored and handled. These rules ensure that cars are not accessible to the public and are maintained in a way that prevents further depreciation.
While at the lot, the vehicle sits in a designated space. It is rare for staff to move the car again unless it is being relocated for long-term storage or prepared for an auction. Owners should be aware that daily storage fees begin accumulating immediately. These fees cover the cost of insurance, security, and land use for the facility.
Bonus Tip: Check the local police department website or a dedicated municipal tow lookup tool before calling various companies. Most cities now digitize these records for faster access.
Costs and Financial Requirements for Recovery
Retrieving a vehicle involves several different charges. The most common is the base tow fee, which covers the labor and equipment used to transport the car. Following this is the daily storage fee. Some jurisdictions also allow for administrative fees, which cover the paperwork involved in notifying the owner and processing the impound.
Data published by The Zebra indicates that the average cost for a standard tow can range from $75 to $125, with storage fees adding $20 to $100 per day. These rates vary significantly based on the city and the type of tow. For example, heavy-duty tows for larger trucks cost much more than standard passenger car recovery.
Summary of Recovery Requirements
Requirement | Details | Importance |
Valid Photo ID | Government-issued identification, like a license or passport | High |
Proof of Ownership | Vehicle title or current registration in the owner's name | High |
Proof of Insurance | Current policy documentation for the vehicle | Medium |
Payment Method | Most lots accept cash, credit, or debit cards | High |
Release Form | Needed if the car was impounded by the police for a violation | High |
Legal Timelines and Abandonment Processes
Every state has specific laws regarding how long a facility must hold a car before it can be disposed of. According to legal summaries provided by Nolo, the timeline for abandonment usually starts with a formal notification sent to the registered owner and any lienholders. This letter informs the owner that the car is being held and lists the total amount due to halt the disposal process.
If no one responds to these notices, the facility gains the legal right to sell the vehicle through the towing service’s lien process. The proceeds from the sale are applied to the outstanding towing service and storage debt. If the sale price exceeds the total amount owed, the remaining funds may be sent to the state or held for the vehicle owner, depending on local statutes. However, if the sale does not fully cover the towing service charges and storage fees, the owner may still be responsible for the remaining balance.
Bonus Tip: If the car's value is less than the estimated fees, the owner may sometimes negotiate a "title turn-over," where the facility takes ownership of the car in exchange for waiving the debt.
Accessing Personal Property Inside the Car
Owners often worry about items left inside the vehicle, such as wallets, tools, or medications. Most state laws require impound lots to allow owners to retrieve "essential" items from the car, even if they cannot yet afford to pay the full towing bill. This usually includes items like prescription drugs, car seats, and legal documents.
Non-essential items, like electronics or tools, may be held until the full balance is paid. It is best to bring a spare set of keys when visiting the lot to retrieve belongings. Facility staff will usually escort the owner to the car to ensure only personal items are removed, and the vehicle itself remains secure.
Things to Consider Before Making a Decision
Before deciding how to proceed, an owner should evaluate the following factors:
Total Value of the Vehicle: If the car is an older model with high mileage, the total fees might soon exceed the market value.
Condition of the Car: For vehicles towed after an accident, the owner must decide if the repair costs plus towing fees are worth the investment.
Daily Rate Accumulation: Fees grow every 24 hours. Delaying a decision by even two days can add hundreds of dollars to the final bill.
Credit Implications: Unpaid impound fees can sometimes be sent to collections agencies, which may negatively affect credit scores.
Common Questions
Does the towing company have to tell the owner where the car is? Yes, they are legally required to notify the registered owner. This is typically done through a certified letter sent to the address listed on the vehicle registration.
What happens if the car is damaged during the tow? The owner should document any damage immediately at the lot before driving away. Professional companies like Ocean Towing Inc. maintain insurance specifically for these situations. Taking photos during the recovery process is a vital step for any future claims.
Can a car be retrieved after business hours? Many storage lots have specific release hours that differ from their 24/7 towing hours. It is necessary to call ahead and confirm when staff are available to process paperwork and payments.
Direct Answers to Frequent Concerns
Can I get my car back if I am not the registered owner?
Generally, only the registered owner can retrieve a vehicle. If the owner cannot attend, they must usually provide a notarized power of attorney or a signed letter of authorization, along with a copy of their ID, to the person acting on their behalf.
What happens if I cannot pay the fees immediately?
Fees will continue to increase daily. Some facilities may offer a payment plan, but this is rare. It is often more cost-effective to use a credit card or borrow funds to stop daily storage charges from climbing further.
Why was my car towed to a lot far away?
Towing companies often use specific yards based on their contracts or land availability. While it may be inconvenient, the location is usually determined by where the company has a legal right to store impounded property.
Is the tow company responsible for a stolen car?
If a car is towed for abandonment or illegal parking, the towing company's role is to secure it. If the car was originally stolen and then towed, the owner remains responsible for the fees, though insurance companies often cover these costs in theft recovery cases.
Summary of the Recovery Process
To successfully recover a vehicle, the owner must act quickly to minimize costs. Identifying the car's location through police records or posted signage is the first priority. Once located, gathering the necessary ownership documents and identifying the total balance due will streamline the release. If the vehicle is no longer wanted or is too damaged to justify the costs, discussing a surrender of the title with the facility may prevent further debt accumulation. Evaluating the financial impact of storage fees daily is the most effective way to manage the situation.
Get Assistance With Your Vehicle Needs
Managing the aftermath of a vehicle being moved requires clear information and prompt action. Ocean Towing Inc. provides professional assistance and clear communication regarding vehicle transport and storage. For those needing help with vehicle logistics or if there are questions about a specific situation, contact the team directly at +1 863-558-3609 or via email at Oceanfortowing@gmail.com.
Sources
Nolo - A legal resource providing summaries of state laws regarding abandoned property and vehicle impoundment.
