What are my rights under California law if my car is repossessed, and what are the steps to get it back?

Under California law, you generally have the right to get your repossessed car back by either reinstating the loan contract or paying the full loan balance. The lender must provide you with a formal written notice explaining these rights and the specific amounts due. Here are the steps to get your vehicle back: Step 1: Locate Your Vehicle and Personal Property Immediately contact your lender to confirm the repossession and find out which repossession agency has your car. You have the right to retrieve your personal belongings from the vehicle. Contact the agency to schedule a time to do this; they cannot charge you a fee for accessing your personal property. Step 2: Receive and Review the "Notice of Intent to Dispose of a Motor Vehicle" Your lender must mail this critical notice to you within 48 hours of the repossession. It details your rights, the deadline to act, and the exact costs. The notice will list two key figures: the amount to "reinstate" the contract and the amount to "redeem" the vehicle. Step 3: Decide How to Proceed: Reinstate or Redeem You have at least 15 days from the date the notice is mailed to act. - To Reinstate: Pay all your past-due payments, plus any late fees and the lender's costs for repossession and storage. This makes your loan current again, and you resume your normal monthly payments. - To Redeem: Pay the entire remaining loan balance, plus any late fees and all repossession-related costs. This pays off the loan completely. Step 4: Pay the Required Amount Before the Deadline Deliver the full reinstatement or redemption amount to the location specified in the notice before the 15-day deadline expires. Use a certified payment method like a cashier's check or money order and always get a receipt. Once paid, the lender must return the vehicle to you. Important considerations: The right to reinstate your contract is a key protection under California's Rees-Levering Act. However, you may lose this right if you have a history of late payments, have already reinstated the loan before, or provided false information on your credit application. If you do not reinstate or redeem the vehicle, the lender will sell it at auction. If the sale price does not cover the full amount you owe (including fees), you can be sued for the remaining "deficiency balance." Warnings and limitations: The deadlines are strict; if you miss the 15-day window, you will lose your right to reinstate the contract. Filing for bankruptcy can also provide a path to recover a repossessed vehicle, but it is a complex legal process. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, such as a dispute over the amount owed or if the repossession agent breached the peace, consult with a qualified California attorney.