CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People living in Charlotte's South End neighborhood have been concerned about their safety, after more than 20 cars were broken into or stolen at an apartment complex.
The crimes happen fast and cost drivers thousands of dollars in repair, higher insurance costs, and at times, the price of a new car.
If a criminal steals your car, but it’s recovered, and ends up in an impound lot who is responsible for the fees?
It's an unfortunate situation, a criminal steals your car and takes it out for a joy ride. But police find the vehicle and now you must get it out of an impound lot, but who pays?
THE QUESTION
Are you responsible for the fee to get your own car out of the impound lot, after it was stolen?
THE ANSWER
Yes, if your car is stolen and then taken to an impound lot, you are on the hook to pay the fee to get your car released from the lot. but your auto insurance might cover this fee, depending on your coverage.
OUR SOURCES
- CMPD
- Allstate Insurance
- Various towing companies in Charlotte
WHAT WE FOUND
When a stolen car is recovered, especially if it’s not drive-able, CMPD said officers will usually have the vehicle towed, and taken to an impound lot.
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WCNC's Verify team called several impound lots in Charlotte to see who is responsible for the fee to release the car, every single one told us it’s up to the owner of the vehicle to pay to get it out of the lot.
For most impound lot fees in Charlotte, you could be charged around $75 a day if it is sitting in their lot, and those charges can add up.
But you’re not completely out of luck, an Allstate representative told us, depending on your coverage plan and your claim, your insurance might cover the impound fee.
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