- You may need to pay some outstanding balance or have the tow fee paid first.
- This means calling your lienholder (lender) and confirming who is responsible for the storage and towing fees before you pay them.
2. Get your personal items.
- Check for your state’s laws on repossession notices.
- These notices generally tell you how much time you have to retrieve your belongings.
- If you don't have access, ask for a chance to retrieve your belongings if you still owe money on the car loan.
- Some lienholders will allow you to do that if they’re holding the car.
3. Pick up the personal items.
- Bring your ID and proof of ownership (like the vehicle registration or loan documents).
- If the car is towed, you can try to pick up your personal items from the towing company.
4. Ask for a waiver of storage fees.
- If the repossession violated state law or if you didn’t receive proper notification, you could be entitled to a waiver of storage or towing fees.
- Contact your state's attorney general or consumer protection office to learn more about your state’s laws and to learn about your legal rights.
5. Don’t try to forcefully retrieve your belongings.
- While it’s understandable that you want your personal items as quickly as possible, avoid trespassing or causing a disturbance at a repossession company or storage facility.
