LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert highlighting what consumers need to know if their vehicle is towed. The alert follows a presentation delivered last week by Jason Evans, chief of the Corporate Oversight Division at the Michigan Department of Attorney General, to the City of Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Towing Committee. The alert and presentation focus on Michigan’s towing laws and consumer protections offered to vehicle owners.
“It’s important Michigan drivers understand their rights when it comes to towing,” Nessel said. “This alert gives people the information they need to know how to get their vehicles back and challenge unauthorized and unreasonable fees.”
When Vehicles Can Be Towed
Vehicles may be towed from public or private property. In cases of private property, the property owner must have a clearly visible notice posted before towing a vehicle without the owner's consent.
After a vehicle is towed, towing companies are required to share the vehicle’s new location with local police. Within 24 hours, the police will determine if the vehicle was reported stolen. The vehicle will then be entered into the law enforcement information network as an abandoned vehicle, and the police will notify the Secretary of State.
Owners of vehicles involved in accidents must claim their vehicles within 20 days. After that, it is labeled as an abandoned vehicle.
Notification to Vehicle Owners
The Secretary of State must notify owners by mail within seven days of a vehicle being classified as abandoned. The notice will include:
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Where the vehicle was towed from;
- Towing company name;
- Address of where the vehicle is now;
- How to claim the vehicle;
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How to challenge the towing;
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How to challenge the towing and storage fees; and
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How to file with the court.
The location of the vehicle and custodian can be found online on the Secretary of State's Michigan Abandoned Vehicle Search using the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number. Vehicle owners can also contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234.
Rights Regarding Towed Vehicles
The company storing the vehicle must allow the owner to inspect the vehicle and to get their items out for free, for the first visit. After that, they can’t charge the owner more than $25 per time. Attorney General Nessel encourages vehicle owners to bring their title or registration, as proof of ownership may be required.
Understanding Towing and Storage Fees
Vehicle owners are responsible for any storage fees. If a vehicle is towed after an accident or from public or private property, daily storage fees will apply while the vehicle remains at the facility. Towing and storage fees are normally set by the agreement between the police agency and the towing company. Residents can contact the police agency involved in the towing to verify fees.
Challenging a Tow or Fees
Owners have the right to challenge whether a vehicle was properly towed and the reasonableness of towing and storage fees. This must be done in a timely manner and in an appropriate district court.
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