Providing Access to a Vehicle

Access Without Proper Identification

If a person claims to be the owner of a vehicle, you must allow them access to the inside of the vehicle to obtain the proper ID to prove ownership.

Access by Owner or Authorized User

When a person demonstrates ownership or right to possess the motor vehicle, you must:

• Allow the person to inspect a copy of the tow ticket (free of charge and this can be shown to them behind glass).
• Allow them to remove any personal items in the vehicle (unless law enforcement says they can’t remove the items.) (Free of charge.)
• When you release personal property, get a receipt from the person removing the property showing what was removed.
• Under 2303.155(f) a vehicle storage facility can only charge for the storage of the vehicle, notification fee, impoundment fee, any fee that is paid directly to a governmental or law enforcement agency, and towing fees under 2308. A vehicle storage facility cannot charge a fee to release personal belongings, personal property or cargo.
• During normal business hours, you must allow access for insurance and/or repair estimates. (Free of charge.)
• You must be able to provide the nonconsent tow fee schedule for the tow company that towed the vehicle to the lot upon request. (Free of charge.)
• Demonstrating ownership or right to possess the motor vehicle is not as strict a standard as what is needed to release a vehicle. All the instruments that you would use to release a vehicle demonstrate ownership or right to possess the motor vehicle but other things such as a bill of sale can be used to get property, but is not an instrument of release one can use to release a car.

A VSF may not request a vehicle owner or operator to sign an authorization form for a tow, repair or any other service if the storage of the vehicle is the result of a tow initiated by law enforcement.

Access by Insurance Company

When an insurance company presents a proof of loss claim form, you are required to give them access to the vehicle. The term “Access” includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Verifying the existence of the vehicle
• Confirming the loss
• Taking measurements and photographs of the inside and outside of the vehicle
• Recording, or attempting to record the mileage of the vehicle
• Verifying the VIN
• Opening, or attempting to open doors, hoods, or trunk panels
• Writing a repair estimate, documenting features, options, and conditions
• When authorized, remove the vehicle from the VSF

If an insurer presents a proof of loss claim form, or a tow operator presents the VSF011 form (PDF), the VSF shall provide a copy of the tow ticket created by the towing operator responsible for towing the vehicle to the VSF to either:

• The insurer within 3 business days of presenting the proof of loss claim form, or
• The tow operator at the time he presents a copy of the VSF011 form (PDF)
• You can provide the insurer with the tow ticket by regular mail, fax, or other electronic means (email)