Plain-language guides to the state laws that govern towing, private property impounds, and vehicle recovery across Berrien & Van Buren County.
Call (269) 925-9573What a lot owner must post before towing your car at your expense.
Timelines, notices, and how to reclaim an impounded vehicle.
Why prices vary and what’s normal to be charged in Michigan.
Who picks the tow company after a crash, and can you choose your own.
Michigan’s towing rules live primarily inside the Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL Act 300 of 1949, specifically the sections numbered in the 257.252 range. Unlike some states, Michigan does not license or cap towing rates at the state level — rates are set by individual companies. What the state DOES regulate closely is signage requirements for private lots, the abandoned-vehicle classification and auction timeline, and notice requirements to vehicle owners. That’s the split covered across the four guides above.
Local police departments (Benton Harbor PD, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police) handle abandoned-vehicle reporting and LEIN entry. The Michigan Secretary of State processes title and registration matters tied to unclaimed vehicles. Consumer disputes over improper tows or billing generally route through the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. None of these offices can retrieve your specific vehicle for you — that’s the towing company’s job — but they’re the right channel for a formal complaint.
We’ve been towing Berrien and Van Buren County since 1956, and licensing, signage, and impound rules come up in real conversations with customers every week — especially after a private-lot tow or an accident. These guides answer the questions we hear most often, sourced from the Michigan Vehicle Code and the Michigan Department of State, and cross-checked against what we actually see on the ground doing this work daily.
No. Michigan does not cap towing or storage rates at the state level. Rates are set by each towing company, which is why prices can vary significantly between companies for the same job. See our fees and rates guide for typical ranges.
Start with the towing company and the property owner directly. If that doesn’t resolve it, the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division handles formal towing complaints, and the Michigan Department of State’s Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk (517-636-5234) can help locate a vehicle or clarify the abandonment process.
No. This page and its linked guides summarize Michigan statute in plain language for general understanding. Towing law disputes can be fact-specific, so if you’re dealing with a contested tow or a financial dispute, consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
Zielke Towing & Tire is licensed, insured, and available 24/7 across Berrien and Van Buren County.
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