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Nessel addresses towing practices and complaints

March 22, 2019
Northside Service & Towing employee Tim Taylor attempts to lift the door of a car onto the bed of his truck after the car crashed into a telephone pole at the corner of Michigan Ave. and Howard Thursday afternoon. Taylor has been working at Northside for thirty years and said accidents like this are very common, especially this time of year "I've seen so many accidents I don't pay attention them anymore, not even the fatalities" Taylor said. Matt Hallowell/The State News
Northside Service & Towing employee Tim Taylor attempts to lift the door of a car onto the bed of his truck after the car crashed into a telephone pole at the corner of Michigan Ave. and Howard Thursday afternoon. Taylor has been working at Northside for thirty years and said accidents like this are very common, especially this time of year "I've seen so many accidents I don't pay attention them anymore, not even the fatalities" Taylor said. Matt Hallowell/The State News —
Photo by Matt Hallowell | and Matt Hallowell The State News

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a consumer alert regarding state towing laws and how to file a complaint about unlawful towing.

This alert follows 10 towing-related complaints to the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division since Jan. 1, according to a press release. In 2018, the division received 56 towing-related complaints.

“Having your car towed without your knowledge is not only disruptive, it’s expensive and creates all kinds of additional problems – financial and logistical. That’s why it’s important Michiganders know their rights,” Nessel said in the release.

Vehicles are typically towed following instructions from police, private property owners or the vehicle's owner.

In the case of private property owners directing the towing of a vehicle, the Michigan Vehicle Code says the towing company must alert local law enforcement before the vehicle's removal.

Within a 24-hour window, police must determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen, add it to a database of abandoned vehicles and alert the Secretary of State, which in turn alerts the owner to information about the towing.

Owners can locate their vehicle by entering the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) or license plate number on the Secretary of State’s Michigan Abandoned Vehicle Search. They can also call the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234.

What happens after a notice is issued for a towed vehicle

The vehicle owner has 20 days to redeem the vehicle or file for a petition for a court hearing to fight unlawful towing after the Secretary of State issues a notice, according to the Michigan Vehicle Code. However, after 10 days the secured party — usually a lending institution — may redeem the vehicle by paying the towing, storage and abandoned vehicle fees. The abandoned vehicle fee is $40.

If the vehicle owner or the secured party do not redeem the vehicle or petition for a hearing within 20 days of receiving the notice from the Secretary of State, all rights to the vehicle are lost and it may be sold at public auction.

How to challenge the towing of a vehicle or file a complaint

According to the consumer alert, Michigan residents can ask police to verify towing and storage fees. These fees are typically set by local law enforcement and towing companies. Auto insurance can sometimes cover these fees.

To file a petition to request a hearing for an unlawfully towed vehicle, Michigan residents can fill out a Petition Regarding Impoundment of Motor Vehicle form.

To file a complaint concerning towing, Michigan residents can contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by phone, through an online form or by mail.

Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909


Phone: 517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388

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