Police Impounds

Iowa Notification and Reclaiming Process

(641) 344-1510

Police Impounds

Police Impound Notification and Reclaiming Process in Iowa

The last registered owner of the towed vehicle is notified by certified mail within 10 days of impoundment. The notice includes the vehicle location, cost of towing, storage, and deadline for reclaiming the vehicle.

The owner of the vehicle has 20 days to reclaim it and personal property once the certified mail has been received and after the invoice has been paid.

Once the invoice has been paid or the insurance company has contacted us with payment, the vehicle will then be released for the owners to reclaim any personal property.

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Impound Storage Rates & Fees

  • Daily Charges - Outdoor Storage
  • Daily Charges- Indoor Storage
  • Daily Charges- Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
  • Additional fees for Processing, Credit Card Transactions, and Taxes
View our fees

Recent Changes To Notification and Retrieval Process

Section 2 & 3 – Notice & Reclaiming Timelines

  • Reduces the timeframe for police or private entities to send certified mail notice of a seized vehicle from 20 days to 10 days.
  • Extends the vehicle/property reclamation period for owners and lienholders from 10 days to 20 days after notice. After the 20-day period, all rights, title, and claims to the vehicle are forfeited.

Section 4 – Lienholder Inspections, Personal Property Reclamation, Display of Charges

  • Lienholder Inspection: Allows lienholders of record to request a vehicle condition inspection for a fee not to exceed $100. Private entities must accommodate the request by providing physical access to the vehicle or clear photographs.
  • Personal Property Retrieval: Allows registered owners to retrieve unattached personal property from inside the vehicle one time during the 20-day reclamation period during normal business hours. Eligible items include prescription medications, medical or mobility equipment, childcare items, work clothing, identification documents, phones, laptops/tablets, work tools, wallets, tax and financial documents, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and non-vehicle keys.
  • Display of Charges: Requires private towing entities to clearly post daily storage fees and impound-related charges at their business location and make the same information available on their website so customers can easily view applicable fees.

Reasons Why the Police Would Have Your Vehicle Towed

In Iowa, police may have a vehicle towed for several reasons, including:

  • Vehicles can be towed for unpaid parking fines or for failing to provide proof of insurance and/or expired registration.
  • Unauthorized parking on private property or violating local parking regulations, such as snow ordinances, or outside of parking hours
  • Appearing abandoned, such as a breakdown on the side of the road. Vehicles left unattended on public property for more than 24 hours, lack current registration plates or are inoperable.
  • If the vehicle is positioned in a way that constitutes a hazard to traffic.
  • If a vehicle is involved in an accident and needs to be removed to preserve evidence, protect it from theft or further damage, or prevent it from being a traffic hazard.
  • If an officer believes the person in control of the vehicle wrongfully possesses it.
  • If the vehicle identification number (VIN) or any component part's identification number has been altered or defaced.
  • If there is probable cause to believe the vehicle is being used to transport contraband.
  • If the vehicle is involved in a person's death and needs to be secured for evidence.
  • If the driver is arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), has prior OWI convictions, or is driving in violation of a license revocation.

These measures help ensure safety, preserve evidence, and enforce legal compliance in Iowa.

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Real Customer Reviews

Five yellow stars

"I drive nights and was stuck in my parking spot. They were the only ones to answer at 3 am. They got to me in a very timely manner and I was back on the road. Very professional."

Mike Wacker

"Diversified towing was great. The gentleman that came to our aid was fantastic. He called and made sure he had what he needed before he came. He kept in touch while in route. Got the job done quickly and professionally. My husband and I were very pleased with his service."

Jessica

"Mohamed here, saying thank you to all the people working in Diversified Towing, they treat you like family, when my semi was stuck on ice in IA, the truck couldn't build air any more, they Towed my truck, to their shop, gave me a ride to a motel, brought back from the motel when truck was fixed, and all that with a warm smile, Thank you again."

Wadi Eljari

"Great people, they went out of their way to make sure we didn’t have to pay anything extra, they were quick to the call and over all incredibly helpful. I did not expect this experience to be this pleasant! I strongly recommend. Good folks"

Christine Collins

"Wonderful service! He drove over an hour to help me out, and was so patient with me the during the entire process."

Lillian Bombeck

"These guys are beyond a 5!!! Deserve as many stars as u see in the night sky. I broke down Saturday morning. They towed my truck and loaded trailer to their shop, provided a vehicle for me to get around for the weekend, and a daycab so I could deliver on time Monday morning."

Randy Wulf