A common question, with regards to a car repossession is the rights that an owner has with regards to the contents. Often cars are repossessed and owners realise afterwards that they may have left something valuable in their vehicle. CD’s and sunglasses are often the most common items to be left in a car, but other more expensive items are often left behind. As the items are actually yours, you have every right to reclaim the items. In actual fact however, the scenario can be quite different.
Regardless of the method used to dispose of a repossessed car, a creditor may not keep or sell any personal property found inside. In some states, your creditor must tell you what personal items were found in your car and how you can retrieve them. Your creditor also may be required to use reasonable care to prevent anyone else from removing your property from the car. If your creditor can’t account for articles left in your vehicle, you may want to speak to an attorney about your right to compensation.
When a car is repossessed, these facts are often overlooked and repossessed cars are usually stripped of all items. The repo men are often less sympathetic to the situation and go ahead and keep whatever they find. It’s always advisable to throughly check a vehicle before it is repossessed and make sure you take everything out. this applies when a car is being sold. Even if the repossession men are in the process of towing the vehicle away it’s still not too late to request you take out what is yours. Getting in contact with the lender and asking to have your items returned is often a more difficult process. This is due to the fact that proving what was in the car was actually yours is not straightforward and if the item has already been taken out then it’s difficult to provide evidence that it was actually there. This is why it’s always advisable to take your things out.
Tags: repossessed cars