I said long, here it goes. My daughter spun out yesterday and totaled her car. It was a slush that froze at daybreak thing that caught commuters off guard. Lots of crashes. Cops came. Ambulance came cuz she had neck and back pain. Wife was close by and went. Told cop who we wanted to tow. Cop was typical-(making up for his short comings in life by getting a badge and gun)-story for another day. Different towing comp came that is local and owns a repo lot. When done the cop said the one we asked for was booked solid. They took her car to their lot. I called insur. comp a few hours later to file a claim. The lady took me through the process and told me I only had limited collision which I knew, which would only pay if it wasn't her fault. She was issued a ticket which I guess proves guilt. The ins lady said I had 24 hrs to go to towing place and get my plate and belongings and the adjuster would go there. Heres the fun part:We went this AM to towing place. They will NOT let us get our plate or stuff (which amounts to shoes, etc.) I told them what ins co said ab0out coming to get the plate etc. and they said so what. I MUST PAY the towing bill and impound fee ($285! 70 of which is for sweeping the road). if I want my stuff-not the car-just my stuff! I told him it was her stuff and he has no right but he said that's the only way he can keep from getting stuck with a junker (which is worth more in scrap than the towing bill). He equated it to a mechanics lein. Well if I had your car and held it for non payment of repairs The lein is on the car not the stuff. I am not dodging the bill at all, just waiting for the insurance company. We exchanged "pleasantries" and I left. A good friend from my church with a small garage is going to go tow it for a small fee and pay the fees which I will repay. When I got a hold of the adjuster today he said what the claims lady told me was not right at all. The point is If I had had them take it to a dealership or garage or even home this wouldn't have happened. It didn't matter if it was medicine in there or an important laptop, etc You can't get what is rightfully yours. How predatory can you get! NEVER let them take it to THEIR LOT!