Getting towed is stressful enough on its own — but not knowing your legal rights under Michigan law makes it significantly worse. Whether your car was involved in an accident on I-94 near Exit 33 in Benton Township, towed from a private lot near The Orchards Mall on Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor, or impounded after a traffic stop on BL I-94 through downtown, Michigan law provides you with specific, enforceable protections as a vehicle owner.
This guide breaks down every Michigan towing law that applies to Benton Harbor, MI 49022 and Berrien County drivers — including the 20-day abandoned vehicle rule, your right to an itemized invoice, storage fee caps, payment form requirements, and exactly what to do if you believe a towing company has violated your rights. We also explain how Arndt’s Auto Towing operates within — and above — the minimum standards Michigan law sets for the industry.
If you need a tow right now and want a company you can trust: Call (269) 925-8969 — Arndt’s Auto Towing, 952 Indiana Dr, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Open 24/7.
What Happens When Your Car Is Towed in Benton Harbor, MI?
A tow can be triggered in three ways in Michigan: by law enforcement following an accident or traffic violation, by a private property owner or manager, or by you — the vehicle owner — calling a towing company directly. Each type carries different legal rules, and your rights as the vehicle owner differ depending on which scenario applies.
Understanding these categories before you are in a stressful roadside situation is one of the most useful things a Benton Harbor driver can do. The sections below walk through each scenario and the Michigan laws governing them. For a full overview of towing services available in this area, read our Complete Guide to Roadside Assistance in Benton Harbor, MI.
Michigan’s Abandoned Vehicle Law — The 20-Day Rule Explained
Michigan law draws a clear line between a towed vehicle and an abandoned one — and the timeline matters enormously for your wallet.
How the 20-Day Clock Works
Under Michigan law, if your vehicle is towed following an accident or law enforcement action, you have 20 days from the date of the tow to claim your vehicle from the towing facility before it is legally classified as abandoned. Once a vehicle is classified abandoned, the towing company can initiate the process to sell or dispose of it — and your right to reclaim it becomes significantly more complicated.
This 20-day window sounds generous, but it moves fast when you factor in hospital recovery after an accident, disputes with insurance companies, or simply not knowing where your vehicle was taken. If your vehicle was towed after an accident on I-94 near Benton Harbor, on US-31 (St. Joseph Valley Parkway), or anywhere in Berrien County, the clock begins on the date of the tow — not the date you are notified. For more on accident towing situations specifically, read our Accident Towing and Recovery Guide for Benton Harbor.
How the Michigan Secretary of State Notification Process Works
The towing company is required to notify the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) when a vehicle has been towed and is in storage. The Michigan SOS must then notify the last titled owner of record by certified mail within 7 days of the vehicle being classified as potentially abandoned.
This notification must include:
- The address and name of the towing or storage facility holding the vehicle
- The date and location from which the vehicle was removed
- A description of the vehicle including VIN, make, model, year, and color
- Instructions for reclaiming the vehicle and the applicable fees
What this means for you: If you moved recently and your vehicle title still shows your old address, you may not receive this notice in time. Keep your vehicle title address updated with the Michigan Secretary of State to protect yourself from missing critical impound notifications.
The Civil Fine for Vehicle Abandonment
Michigan imposes a civil fine of $50 — plus court costs and state assessments — for knowingly abandoning a vehicle on public or private property. While $50 itself is modest, the associated storage fees, title fees, and administrative costs that accumulate during an abandonment situation can easily total hundreds of dollars. Under Michigan Public Act 549 of 2014 (the governing statute for abandoned vehicle procedures), the process for reclaiming an improperly classified abandoned vehicle requires filing through the Michigan Legislature’s statutory framework — a process most drivers want to avoid entirely.
The clearest protection against this scenario is simple: save a local towing number before you need it. Call (269) 925-8969 — Arndt’s keeps you informed of your vehicle’s status from the moment we dispatch.
Your Consumer Rights When a Tow Truck Takes Your Vehicle in Michigan
Michigan law does not just regulate how long a towing company can hold your vehicle — it also establishes specific rights you have regarding billing, notification, and payment. The Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has issued multiple consumer alerts specifically about towing company practices, reinforcing these rights for Michigan drivers.
Right to Know Where Your Vehicle Was Taken
Any towing company — whether dispatched by police, a private property manager, or you — is required to disclose the name, address, and phone number of the storage facility holding your vehicle. If a Benton Harbor Police Department (BHPD) traffic stop results in your vehicle being towed, you can contact BHPD directly to identify the towing company used. For tows in unincorporated Berrien County areas, contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office to locate your vehicle.
Right to an Itemized Invoice
You are entitled to request a fully itemized invoice listing every charge applied to your account — hook-up fee, per-mile towing rate, storage fees, administrative fees, and any applicable Michigan state fees. No line item should appear on your invoice without a clear description. If a towing company refuses to provide itemization, that refusal is itself a potential consumer protection violation. Read our guide on Understanding Towing Charges in Benton Harbor for a full breakdown of what should and should not appear on a towing invoice.
Storage Fee Protections Under Michigan Law
Michigan law limits storage fee accrual during certain notification periods. Specifically, storage fees cannot be charged for the first 24 hours following the towing company’s notification to the vehicle owner in specific non-consensual tow scenarios. Storage fees that accrue before proper notification is sent to the registered owner may be legally challenged. If you believe storage fees were applied unfairly or before proper notification was provided, the Michigan AG Consumer Protection Division handles these complaints.
Towing Companies Must Accept Card Payments
Under current Michigan consumer protection guidelines, towing companies must accept at least one form of electronic payment — including a major credit or debit card — when the vehicle owner arrives to claim their vehicle. A towing company that demands cash-only payment may be in violation of Michigan consumer protection standards. This is particularly important in urgent situations where a driver has limited cash on hand.
Arndt’s Auto Towing accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payment forms. We provide itemized invoices on every job, disclose pricing before dispatch, and maintain full compliance with all Michigan towing regulations.
Michigan’s Move Over Law — What Every Benton Harbor Driver Must Do Around Tow Trucks
What the Law Requires
Michigan’s Move Over Law is one of the most important — and most frequently violated — traffic laws in the state. It requires every driver approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, or roadside service vehicle displaying flashing lights to:
- Move one full lane away from the stopped vehicle if the road has multiple lanes, OR
- Reduce speed to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit when a lane change is not safely possible
Where It Applies in Benton Harbor and Berrien County
This law applies on every road and highway in Southwest Michigan:
- I-94 between Exit 29 (M-139/Niles Road) and Exit 34 (BL I-94 Business Loop) in Benton Township and Benton Harbor
- BL I-94 Business Loop through downtown Benton Harbor
- US-31 (St. Joseph Valley Parkway) between the Indiana border and downtown St. Joseph
- I-196 northbound toward Holland and Grand Rapids
- M-63 through downtown St. Joseph near the Silver Beach Carousel and North Pier Lighthouse
- M-139 (Niles Road) southbound toward Niles through rural Berrien County
- All Berrien County secondary roads and Benton Harbor city streets
Penalties for Violations
Violating Michigan’s Move Over Law carries a civil fine that ranges depending on the circumstances of the violation. When the failure to move over results in injury to a roadside worker, the violation escalates in severity and can result in misdemeanor charges. For full penalty information, visit the Michigan State Police traffic law resources.
Arndt’s Auto Towing drivers work on the shoulders of I-94 and US-31 in Benton Harbor daily — often in the dark, in rain, and during lake-effect snow storms. The Move Over Law exists to protect them, to protect you as the stranded motorist, and to prevent secondary accidents at breakdown scenes.
The Difference Between Consensual and Non-Consensual Towing in Michigan
Not all tows are created equal under Michigan law. The legal protections, fee caps, and notification requirements that apply to your situation depend entirely on which type of tow was performed.
Police-Dispatched (Non-Consensual) Towing in Berrien County
When the Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor Police Department (BHPD), or the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office orders your vehicle towed — following an accident, DUI stop, or abandoned vehicle determination — this is classified as a non-consensual tow. These tows carry the strongest consumer protections under Michigan law, including mandatory notification through the Michigan SOS, storage fee caps, and the itemized invoice requirement.
If your vehicle was towed after an accident on I-94 in Berrien County, read our complete resource: Car Accident on I-94 — Insurance and Towing Guide for Benton Harbor Drivers
Private Property Towing Rules in Benton Harbor
Private property towing — where a property owner or manager authorizes removal of an unauthorized vehicle from their lot — is legal in Michigan under specific conditions. The property must display clearly visible signage stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed, the signage must include the towing company’s name and phone number, and the tow must be executed by a licensed Michigan towing company.
Common private property tow locations in the Benton Harbor area include commercial parking lots on Napier Avenue near The Orchards Mall, apartment complex parking areas in Fair Plain and Benton Heights, and retail center lots along the BL I-94 corridor. If you believe your vehicle was towed from private property without proper signage or authorization, contact the Michigan AG Consumer Protection Division immediately.
Consensual Towing — When You Call the Company Yourself
When you call Arndt’s Auto Towing directly, you are initiating a consensual tow. This is the simplest and most straightforward scenario legally — you agree to the service, we disclose pricing upfront, and we provide an itemized invoice. There are no hidden notification requirements, no government processes, and no storage fee disputes. You get the service you asked for, billed transparently. Read our guide on what to say when you call a tow truck to make every consensual tow call faster and smoother.
What to Do If You Were Overcharged or Treated Unfairly by a Tow Company in Michigan
If you believe a towing company in Benton Harbor or anywhere in Berrien County has violated your rights — through inflated charges, cash-only demands, failure to notify you of your vehicle’s location, or refusal to provide itemized billing — you have several options for recourse.
File a Complaint with the Michigan Attorney General
The Michigan AG Consumer Protection Division accepts formal complaints against towing companies that violate Michigan consumer protection law. Their office has previously issued statewide consumer alerts specifically targeting predatory towing practices and has the authority to investigate and penalize violators. File online through michigan.gov/ag or call 877-765-8388.
Contact the Berrien County Courthouse
For local legal guidance or to initiate small claims proceedings against a towing company over disputed charges, contact the Berrien County Courthouse at 811 Port St, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or visit the Berrien County government website. Small claims in Michigan covers disputes up to $6,500.
Check the Better Business Bureau Michigan
The BBB serving Western Michigan handles consumer complaints and business rating reviews for towing companies in the Benton Harbor area. Filing a BBB complaint creates a public record that helps other Berrien County drivers make informed choices.
Contact the Michigan Department of State Police
The Michigan State Police has jurisdiction over towing companies that operate under police dispatch authority. If a non-consensual tow in Berrien County resulted in improper billing or vehicle damage, MSP can investigate.
How Arndt’s Auto Towing Operates: Transparent, Ethical, and Fully Compliant
Arndt’s Auto Towing is a locally owned towing company in Benton Harbor, MI — and we operate to a standard that goes beyond Michigan’s minimum legal requirements because our reputation in this community is built one call at a time.
Here is how we handle every job:
- Upfront pricing disclosure — we quote you before we dispatch, not after we arrive. Read our explanation of towing charges to know exactly what to expect
- Itemized invoices on every job — every charge is described and accounted for, no ambiguous line items
- All payment forms accepted — credit, debit, and electronic payment; never cash-only demands
- Vehicle location transparency — we tell you exactly where your vehicle is going before the hook is attached
- No unauthorized storage fee accumulation — if your vehicle is stored with us, you are notified promptly and clearly
- Coordination with Michigan State Police and Berrien County Sheriff — when required by law, we follow all MSP towing procedure requirements
Whether you need a simple jump start on BL I-94, a flatbed tow from I-94 Exit 33, a winch-out near the Paw Paw River banks, or long-distance transport from Benton Harbor to Kalamazoo, you will receive the same transparent, documented service every time. See the full towing capabilities and all roadside assistance services we provide.
Also read: Does Towing Damage Your Car? | Car Towing Without the Owner — What Michigan Law Says | Complete Towing Service Guide
Frequently Asked Questions: Michigan Towing Laws and Consumer Rights
How long before a car is considered abandoned after being towed in Michigan?
Under Michigan law, a vehicle towed after an accident or by law enforcement must be claimed within 20 days or it is legally classified as abandoned. The Michigan Secretary of State must notify the last titled owner by certified mail within 7 days of the abandonment classification. Visit the Michigan SOS abandoned vehicle page for the full process.
Can a towing company in Benton Harbor charge whatever they want?
No. Michigan towing companies must provide itemized invoices, cannot charge storage fees during certain notification periods, and must accept electronic payment. Complaints about excessive or improper towing charges can be filed with the Michigan AG Consumer Protection Division. Read our explanation of towing charges for a full breakdown of legitimate fees.
What is Michigan’s Move Over Law and does it apply in Benton Harbor?
Yes — Michigan’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move one lane away or slow to 10 mph below the speed limit when passing stopped tow trucks and emergency vehicles. It applies on every road in Benton Harbor including I-94, BL I-94, US-31, I-196, M-63, and M-139. See Michigan State Police Move Over resources for full details.
What should I do if my car was towed from a private parking lot in Benton Harbor without warning?
Verify that the lot had clearly posted towing signage with the towing company’s contact information as required by Michigan law. If proper signage was not displayed, contact the Michigan AG Consumer Protection Division and the Berrien County Courthouse for guidance on recovering your vehicle and disputing fees.
Does Arndt’s Auto Towing follow all Michigan towing regulations?
Yes — Arndt’s Auto Towing operates in full compliance with all Michigan towing laws, coordinates with Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff as required, provides upfront pricing and itemized invoices, and accepts all payment forms. Call (269) 925-8969 for transparent, law-compliant towing in Benton Harbor and Berrien County 24/7.
About Arndt’s Auto Towing — Benton Harbor’s Trusted, Compliant Towing Team
Arndt’s Auto Towing is a locally owned, law-compliant, and fully transparent towing and roadside assistance company based at 952 Indiana Dr, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. We have served Berrien County drivers with honest pricing, professional service, and 24/7 availability across all of Southwest Michigan.
Explore our full services, review our complete towing capabilities, read the Arndt’s blog for more local driver resources, or contact our team with any questions. View our service area coverage for all cities and ZIP codes we serve.
More helpful reading for Benton Harbor and Berrien County drivers:
- Broke Down on I-94 or US-31 in Benton Harbor? Here’s What to Do
- Complete Roadside Assistance Guide — Benton Harbor, MI
- Winter Towing and Road Safety Guide — Benton Harbor
- Tow Truck Near Me — Arndt’s Auto Benton Harbor
- Locked Out, Flat Tire, or Dead Battery — Roadside Help Benton Harbor
- Heavy Duty Vehicle Recovery in Southwest Michigan
📞 Benton Harbor’s Transparent, 24/7 Towing Team
Arndt’s Auto Towing 952 Indiana Dr, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Phone: (269) 925-8969 Hours: Open 24 Hours | 7 Days a Week | All Holidays
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Serving Benton Harbor (49022), St. Joseph (49085), Stevensville (49127), Bridgman (49106), Berrien Springs (49103), Benton Township, Fair Plain, Benton Heights, Coloma, Watervliet, Hartford (49057), Paw Paw (49079), Lawrence, Bloomingdale, Marcellus, and all of Southwest Michigan and Berrien County.
