Vehicle Storage Lien: Owner Rights & How to Protect Yourself
What to do when your car has been towed or is in storage — your rights as an owner, how to dispute excessive fees, and state-specific lien timelines before your vehicle can be sold.
What to Do When Your Car Is in Storage
Call local towing dispatch or police non-emergency line. California, Texas, and New York have online tow logs. Confirm the facility's name, address, and storage rate per day.
Demand a written itemized bill: tow fee, hook fee, daily storage rate, administrative fees, notification costs. Any fee not on the invoice can be challenged.
Many cities cap towing and storage fees by municipal ordinance. Call your city hall or police department to confirm maximum allowable rates. Dispute any amount above the cap.
You have a limited window to redeem the vehicle before the lien sale. Most states allow 15–30 days from notification. Do not wait.
California, New York, and a few other states give vehicle owners the right to a post-storage hearing at no cost. Use it — hearings can result in fee reductions or vehicle release if the tow was improper.
If fees are correct and within the law, pay and reclaim your vehicle. If fees are improper, dispute in writing immediately and contact your state DMV or consumer protection agency.
Common Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Contact police or city towing division. File a written complaint with the storage facility and city consumer protection.
If you were not notified, the lien may be invalid. Contact your state DMV and consult a consumer protection attorney.
Document damage with photos before paying. File a damage claim with the storage facility. Small claims court is available for claims under the state limit.
Storage facilities that tow the wrong vehicle are liable for all costs. Report to police immediately and request fee waiver in writing.
Administrative or "processing" fees beyond the invoiced storage rate should be itemized. Challenge any vague fee line items.
Storage Lien Laws by State
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vehicle storage lien?
A storage lien is a legal claim a towing company or storage facility has against your vehicle for unpaid towing and storage fees. If you do not pay within the statutory window and redeem your vehicle, the facility can sell it at public auction to recover the debt.
Can a storage facility sell my car without notifying me?
No. Every state requires the storage facility to notify the registered owner and any lienholder by certified mail before conducting a lien sale. If you were not properly notified, the lien sale may be invalid — contact your state DMV and a consumer attorney immediately.
What happens to the money from a storage lien sale?
Proceeds from the lien sale first pay the storage and towing fees. If there is money left over (surplus), it typically goes to the registered owner or any lienholder. If the sale does not cover the fees, the facility may be able to seek the deficiency from the owner in some states.
How can I dispute excessive storage fees?
Request an itemized invoice immediately. Compare each fee against your city or state's maximum allowed rates — many municipalities cap towing and storage fees by ordinance. File a written dispute with the storage facility. Contact your state DMV and file a complaint with your state attorney general if the facility refuses to correct improper fees.
Do I have a right to a hearing before my car is sold?
California and New York (NYC) specifically provide vehicle owners with the right to a post-storage hearing. California owners can request a hearing within 10 days of the storage notice — and the hearing is free. Not all states provide this right; check your state's towing law.
What if I cannot afford to pay the storage fees?
Contact the storage facility immediately and explain the situation. Some facilities will work out a payment plan for redemption rather than proceed to lien sale. Legal aid organizations in most states can advise on your rights. In extreme cases, filing a complaint with local police about improper towing can trigger a fee review.