If the repo guy forcefully took your car keys and drove away with the car how do you retrieve personal items from the car and how do you get your keys back?

Answer 1

I am a repo agent and this is how our company handles it but there are many different policies and regulations across the nation so do keep that in mind. I allow the debtor to retrieve their personal effects when they surrender the keys. most companies will allow you to get your stuff at no charge if the keys are surrendered but some do charge a storage fee for inventory of such possessions. our state gives ninety days and then the items are disposed of. you may have to do a little research of your state laws and regulations though. personally i think this agent should have let you have your stuff UNLESS you were threatening or abusive. good luck though. As for you personal items, those can be retrieved from the tow company (go through your reinstatement with your finance company first) and when you pick up your car, you can ask there. And yes of course you can have your keys back.

This from another repo man:

There is a constitutional issue involved in repossesions that most repo agents and vehicle owners are not aware of. The only legal way to repossess a vehicle is with a court order and by a court bailiff. In most cases "self help repossesions" are the norm. However, the language of the law is "self help repossesions" are permitted as long as there is no breaking of the peace. Therefor, if the vehicle owner states his objection to the repossesion and the repo agent proceeds to take the vehicle over the objections of the owner, this is considered as a breaking of the peace and it then becomes an unlawful repossesion, with SERIOUS sanctions on the repossesor and lienholder! So, if you are having your car repossesed , and you are present, and the repo man doesn't let you get your personal property out of the vehicle: SEE A LAWYER; you'll get a lot more than your personal property back!