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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Tow companies get the goods when no one collects Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 3:49 PM Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 3:49 PM » Social News What happens to the proceeds from impounded cars (i.e. DUII impounds) that are not claimed. Does the towing company get all or something? — Deborah, via email Well, if you can make it into Medford Saturday morning you could see firsthand what goes on with all those poor homeless cars at Dick's Towing lot on Crater Lake Avenue. A few of the very cars you asked about will be up for auction starting at 10 a.m. Cars can be towed and impounded for a variety of reasons, such as parking violations or multiple DUIIs. Oregon law requires towing companies to notify the registered owner of the car within 15 days that their car has been towed to their lot. A fee called a lien is automatically incurred for the tow and the impound of the vehicle, and the owner has to be notified of that, too. The registered owner has 30 days to pick up their car at the lot, where they'll pay their fees. Fees vary from town to town: In Medford, it'll cost you $120 to get your vehicle out of the slammer, while it'll only cost you $105 in Ashland — but that needs to be cash. Proof of insurance and a valid driver's license also are required. There often seems to be an elephant-in-the-room kind of animosity aimed at towing companies, especially the idea of them getting out with any money from a tow or an unclaimed vehicle. But here's the thing: Towing is an expense, and if people don't pick up their cars, the companies don't get to collect the towing fees. So under state law, after 30 days, they're allowed to put cars up for public auction, such as what's happening this weekend. They don't always go back into the hands of drivers, though. Auto recyclers also show up to those auctions, and that could mean a long goodbye to an ownerless vehicle. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 3:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501