QuestionMy girlfriend had a old Pontiac that she no longer used, and thus let her friend borrow for the weekend. The car broke down in Chino, CA, and he left it there.
When it was towed, they sent her a letter stating that the car was in their possession, and if she did not claim it within a certain time they would sell it.
She no longer had a use for the vehicle, and so she left it unclaimed. It has now been over a year since the tow, and she received a letter from a collections company stating that she owes 1,473 dollars for the stowing and possible maintenance work of her vehicle.
She was under the impression that when she left the vehicle for the towing company, that she was essentially giving up the title.
I have since looked up the property laws a bit, and I believe that the towing company is allowed to access fines if after they sell the vehicle the work and storage fees exceed the vehicle's value, but I was wondering if this is correct?
Is she liable for the charges? And if so, what documentation does the towing company need to provide to prove they did the said work?
Answer"She was under the impression that when she left the vehicle for the towing company, that she was essentially giving up the title."
This is a very common impression, but as long as she holds the title she is liable for all towing, storage, and administrative lien fees.
Yes you did find the right information about the sale price of the vehicle and the amount owned after the sale...That is correct under California law.
But as long as she owned the vehicle she is responsible for the fees and the collection agency is also following the law. Tow companies can and do turn over the accounts to collect what is owed them.
But basically the documentation as to repairs do have me lost. But the required lien paperwork is spelled out as to
towing invoice, certified letter and or receipt, various state forms, notice of publication in newspapers. Things like that are required.
Hope this helps a bit, but it sounds like you already had the information.
