Car Repossession: The First 24 Hours Checklist

☐ Take a Breath and pause

Repossession is stressful. Avoid making rushed decisions or emotional calls.

☐ Confirm the repossession

Make sure the car was actually repossessed and not towed or stolen.

☐ Locate your loan paperwork

Find your loan agreement, lender name, and account number.

 ☐ Contact the lender

Ask:

• Who currently has possession of it
• What your options are to get it back
• How long you have before the car is sold 

Write down names, dates, and times.

☐ Ask about reinstatement and redemption

Find out:

• Whether reinstatement is allowed
• The total cost to reinstate
• The total cost to redeem the vehicle

*There may be fees due at the storage lot

 ☐ Picking up your personal belongings

• Schedule appointment Book Appointment  
• Bring ID and Key to car
• Bring bags or boxes for easier cleaning
• Bring screwdriver to remove license plate

Getting the car back? Save a trip and redeem car and personals at the same time.

☐ Review your finances honestly
Determine:

• What you can realistically afford
• Whether borrowing to retrieve the car makes sense
• Whether the car is worth the total cost to recover

•  Storage fees add up daily
•  Deadlines move quickly
•  Not acting can limit your options
•  You still have rights, even after repossession

 ☐ Decide your next step

Choose one:

• Reinstate the loan
• Redeem the vehicle
• Prepare for sale and address the balance later
• Consult a legal or financial professional

 The first 24 hours after repossession matter. Gathering information, staying calm, and acting quickly gives you the best chance to protect your options. 

If you receive a toll bill and can prove we were towing your vehicle at the time, we will cover the original toll amount only. We do not cover late fees, violation fees, penalties, or any additional charges.