As a car lover, the worst thing that could happen to you is having your car impounded. Not having your beloved vehicle at your side is not only disheartening but also a nuisance of the highest order. Cars are invaluable to some individuals as they use them to travel to places where public transport doesn’t, and sometimes this could be their place of work. It is not uncommon for your car to get impounded and actually happens on a regular basis. Read on to find out what to do if your vehicle has been impounded.

Why would it get impounded?

So, you might need to ask yourself, why is my vehicle getting impounded in the first place? There are many answers to this question. One of the most common reasons is due to where you have parked the vehicle. Some states have strict rules about where and when you can park in the city. If you do not abide by these rules, then you can say bye-bye to your car. If you have parked in a spot that isn’t yours then the property owner has the right to call the towing company and ensure that it is removed. Another reason that your car might get impounded is that the police suspect there is something not right with the details of the vehicle or are suspicious of you. For example, if you get caught driving without insurance, it is almost certain that the police will take the vehicle from you and have it impounded. Read on to find out what steps you should take to get your car out of an impound.

Locate the vehicle

As there are so many impound lots currently active in most states, there is no clear indication of where your vehicle will actually end up. The person who is impounding with their tow truck is only looking for lots that have space for your vehicle and don’t care if this is close or not. The first thing that you should do is call your local parking authority. After a series of security questions, they should be able to provide you with an updated report on where your vehicle is placed. Be aware that sometimes you may have to wait a few hours for an accurate response. Remember, although it may feel like an emergency at the time, you should never call 911 when your car is being towed away.

Gather as much information as possible

Once you have accepted the fact that your car has been impounded, the next stage is to gather relevant information that you will need to get it released. Information such as why it was impounded, is there a waiting period with the lot it is in and how much you will have to pay in order to get the car back. You should also gather information about the lot that it is sitting in, such as how secure it is and what the opening times are. When arriving at the lot, they should require you to show a driver’s license and an insurance card. If you are getting someone else to pick it up for you, you must show proof with a signed letter.

Pick up your car

When your car is ready to be picked up from the lot, you will need to schedule in a time in order to get your car out smoothly and most importantly hassle-free. Impound lots are notorious for being extremely busy, if you’re stuck in your car whilst waiting for other people to move, this could lead to an even worse mood after having to pay your bill. Once you get there, you will have to sign documentation, and although this can be a tedious process, remember not to take it out on the employee behind the desk. Another crucial tip is… remember your keys. This may seem idiotic to think, but there are a number of people who forget that they need to take their keys after not picking them up every day for a couple of weeks.

Cost and fees

Having your car impounded is not only a nuisance, but it is also very expensive. There really isn’t any set price as different states will have different fines and different impound lots will charge differently also. Different factors such as size, type and condition of your vehicle will play a part in this. An example of what some of the fees may look like is: Towing and transport fees, $300+. Impound lot release fees can range from anywhere between $75 – $300+. Finally, storage fees in the lot are normally around $100 per day. To ensure that you don’t end up in this sort of financial crisis, you should look at getting your car back as quickly as you possibly can. Think next time about where you’re parking and if you’re driving without insurance.