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Vehicle Impounded?

Here is some basic information you need to know...

In order to retrieve your vehicle and/or property, you must provide the following - NO EXCEPTIONS!

  1. 1. Release papers from the impounding agency (if required).
  2. 2. You must be the CURRENT registered owner of the vehicle, or an agent of the registered or legal owner. If you are acting as an agent, you must provide a notarized statement from the registered or legal owner authorizing you to take possession of the vehicle or property.
  3. 3. You must have valid government issued identification.
  4. 4. All charges must be paid in full. No company or personal checks. We accept cash, Visa, Master, American Express, and Discover cards.

For more information visit:

Storage/Impound  Authority Codes

Did you know?

It is unlawful for you to abandon your vehicle in impound/storage...

California Motor Vehicle Code Section 22523 contains many provisions regarding imposition of infractions/fines for those that abandon their vehicle.

 

Know Your Rights!

There is much confusion concerning your rights after your vehicle has been towed.

We receive calls on a daily basis from consumers asking us to assist them in understanding their rights with other towing companies. In order to further assist consumers in understanding the confusing laws and rights, we have developed the "YOUR RIGHTS" information page.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

If you have been charged for towing/storage and want help in understanding if you have been charged according to law, send a copy of your paid invoice to service@preferredtow.com and we will have one of our experts review your invoice and contact you.

Lien Sale & Collection information:

In addition to your hourly impoundment fee, vehicles will accrue a daily storage fee and lien fees. You will be notified of lien sale via postal service at the address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you fail to redeem your vehicle, the vehicle will be sold at public auction in attempt to recover the outstanding towing, storage, and lien fees. If you are the responsible party of the vehicle, it is in your best interest to redeem the vehicle as soon as possible or make other arrangements. This will eliminate any further liability to you.

If you fail to redeem your vehicle, it will be considered abandoned. California Motor Vehicle Code22523 (b) states "No person shall abandon a vehicle upon public or private property without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the property."

YOU DO NOT HAVE OUR PERMISSION TO ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE
UPON OUR PROPERTY!

It is our policy to pursue all means necessary to resolve your legal obligation. We have the right to take you, and all parties listed by DMV to have an interest in the vehicle, to small claims court.

We also have the right to refer this matter to a collection agency for the balance owed. We will report any unpaid debt to credit reporting agencies.

We will also attempt to revoke your driver's license and place a lien on all other property or possessions you may have. California Motor Vehicle Code Section 22523 contains many provisions regarding imposition of infractions/fines for those that abandon their vehicle. Please consult your attorney to see if you come within the provisions of this code.

Vehicles sold at auction rarely sell for the amount of charges outstanding. The sale price of the vehicle is deducted from the total bill and the remaining outstanding amount will be processed to our collections department. California Civil Code 3068.2 makes the registered owner(s) responsible for the towing, storage and lien sale charges less the amount we receive from the sale.

Questions? - Here's the answers to some of the most frequent questions.

How much will I have to pay?
A: The towing and daily storage fees may vary depending on which agency impounded your vehicle. Please contact our office for your current charges.
 
My vehicle was impounded, when can I redeem my vehicle?
A: This depends on the reason your vehicle was impounded. Please visit our impound/storage authority page to determine when you can redeem your vehicle.
 
 How can I retrieve personal property from a stored/impounded vehicle?
A: Providing that your vehicle has not been placed on hold status, you may redeem personal property during regular business hours (8am - 5pm) Monday - Friday, excluding holidays.
Property releases outside of the regular business hours will incur a gate fee of 1/2 of your hourly impoundment fee.
If your vehicle is on hold status, you must contact the impounding agency for release.
The following requirements MUST be met:
  1. 1. You MUST be the current registered owner. A bill-of-sale does NOT imply ownership. A husband/wife will not be permitted to redeem any property unless they are listed on the current registration.
  2. 2. You must have a valid photo identification.
  3. 3. Personal property is considered to be items which are not affixed to the vehicle. Anything attached by means of screws, bolts, or wires will not be permitted to be removed.
  4. 4. If you are redeeming personal property outside of the regular business hours the gate fee of 1/2 of your hourly impoundment fee MUST be paid at the time of the property release.
 Can a husband/wife, friend, relative, or associate claim personal property from my vehicle in my behalf?  
A: Yes, an authorized representative may redeem your personal property during regular business hours (8am - 5pm) Monday - Friday, excluding holidays.
Personal property releases outside of the regular business hours will incur a gate fee of 1/2 of your hourly impoundment fee.
The following requirements MUST be met:
  1. 1. A NOTARIZED letter from the current registered owner must be provided. The letter shall include; the current registered owners full name, make and model of vehicle, vehicle identification number or license plate number, and name of the person(s) authorized to redeem personal property.
  2. 2. Person(s) redeeming personal property MUST have valid photo identification.
  3. 3. Person(s) redeeming personal property must sign an itemized property release form, which will be provided by Preferred Towing.
  4. 4. If personal property is being redeemed outside of the regular business hours, the gate fee of 1/2 of your hourly impoundment fee MUST be paid at the time of the property release.
 I have obtained my release, how to I claim my vehicle?   
A: You may redeem your vehicle during regular business hours (8am - 5pm) Monday - Friday, excluding holidays. Vehicle releases outside of the regular business hours will incur a gate fee of 1/2 of your hourly impoundment fee.
The following requirements MUST be met:
  1. 1. You MUST be the current registered owner. If you have purchased the vehicle, you must obtain registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  2. 2. If you are having a representative redeem the vehicle, they MUST have a NOTARIZED letter authorizing them to redeem the vehicle.
  3. 3. The owner or representative redeeming the vehicle MUST have a valid driver's license.
  4. 4. If your vehicle was impounded for registration violations, you must show proof of current registration.
  5. 5. All towing, storage, gate, and lien fees MUST be paid in full. Please contact our office for your total charges prior to arrival.