Although each person’s situation is unique and sometimes requires additional steps and procedures, the following addresses the most standard and simplified scenarios.
My vehicle was impounded by the police department, how do I retrieve it?
Your vehicle was impounded for a violation of the California vehicle code.
You must first secure an Impound Release Form to retrieve your vehicle. This form is available at the Burbank Police Department, traffic bureau. There may be certain paperwork that you need to present to them. Please contact the Burbank Police Department Traffic bureau for details.
Your vehicle was impounded due to an arrest, investigation, or for evidence.
You must first secure an Impound Release Form to retrieve your vehicle. This form is available at the Burbank Police Department, Detective Bureau. There may be certain paperwork that you need to present to them. Please contact the Burbank Police Department Detective bureau for details.
Once the release form is secure, whomever the release form is made to, must be present at the impound facility with a valid photo I.D.
What do I need to bring to the impound facility to retrieve my vehicle?
You will need an Impound Release Form for all impounded vehicles. The person the release form is made out to must be present with their valid photo ID.
If your vehicle was NOT impounded, the registered owner of record must be present with a valid photo ID.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept CASH, VISA, & MASTERCARD. We do not accept checks or American Express. A company check may be accepted if belonging to the California Tow Truck Association.
Money orders or com-checks will not be accepted.
How do I know Girard & Peterson has my vehicle?
If your vehicle was impounded by the Burbank Police Department, it is a good chance Girard & Peterson has your vehicle. Contact us at: 818-843-8000. Please have the following information available so that we may correctly and expeditiously access your information. We cannot access your information by owner’s name.
- Last 6 numbers of the vehicle’s VIN
- Vehicle’s license plate number
Will my insurance pay for towing & storage fees?
Contact your insurance company and discuss your policy coverage. Collision and comprehension coverage will most likely cover fees associated with having your car towed. We DO NOT bill insurance companies. Vehicles will have to be paid in full before it can be removed off our property.
How do I “release” my vehicle to my insurance?
A verbal release is all that is needed, providing an impound release form is not needed. Contact our office and state that you want to release your vehicle to your insurance company. Please provide our office staff with following information:
- Vehicle license plate number or VIN number
- Insurance company name
- Policy number
- Register owner information
- Contact information
We will not allow anyone to inspect or remove your vehicle without your expressed permission.
I have roadside assistance, why did Girard & Peterson tow my vehicle?
If you were in involved in a traffic accident and your vehicle is obstructing traffic in any way, it is the incident commander’s duty to see to the safety of others. A hazard in the roadway must be removed swiftly and safely. Girard & Peterson is contracted with the Burbank Police Department and are equipped and trained for accident removal scenarios. Generally the police department will not wait for roadside assistance. It must be known that although roadside assistance will come out to tow your vehicle, it is most likely not covered by the policy guidelines and are free to charge you any amount of money they choose.
What is a lien charge and why am I being charged for it?
Civil Code 3074. The lienholder may charge a fee for lien sale preparations not to exceed seventy dollars ($70) in the case of a vehicle having a value determined to be four thousand dollars ($4,000) or less and not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) in the case of a vehicle having a value determined to be greater than four thousand dollars ($4,000), from any person who redeems the vehicle prior to disposal or is paid through a lien sale pursuant to this chapter. These charges may commence and become part of the possessory lien when the lienholder requests the names and addresses of all persons having an interest in the vehicle from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Not more than 50 percent of the allowable fee may be charged until the lien sale notifications are mailed to all interested parties and the lienholder or registration service agent has possession of the required lien processing documents. This charge shall not be made in the case of any vehicle redeemed prior to 72 hours from the initial storage.