Yes, you can often get your belongings out of a towed car in Kansas, but the rule depends on who ordered the tow. After a private property tow, state law gives you 48 hours of access to your personal property. After a police tow or a tow you requested, the yard can hold your things until the bill is paid, with one exception: personal medical supplies must be released when you ask.
Miller’s Towing & Recovery works from 4309 S Broadway in Wichita. Owners often call about this the same day the car is towed, and most of them need one thing fast: a child’s car seat, a work laptop, a set of house keys, or a prescription. Here is what Kansas law and Wichita policy say.
The 3 Rules for Getting Belongings Out of a Towed Car
All three rules come from K.S.A. 8-1103, the Kansas statute on towed vehicles, and from the Wichita Police Records Bureau.
| Type of tow | Can you get your things before paying? | Where the rule comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Private property tow (apartment, store lot, paid lot) | Yes, for 48 hours after the tow | K.S.A. 8-1103(c) |
| Police tow or a tow you asked for | Not required, except personal medical supplies | K.S.A. 8-1103(a)(4) |
| Wichita police impound | Only photo ID, prescription drugs, and legal documents | Wichita Police Records Bureau |
Rule 1: Private property tows come with a 48 hour window
If your car was towed from an apartment complex, a business lot, or a paid lot in Old Town, the tow happened under a city ordinance. Kansas law says any ordinance that allows towing from private property must state that the owner “shall have access to personal property in such vehicle for 48 hours after such vehicle has been towed” and that the property “shall be released to the owner.”
The same law requires the tow company to report the car’s location to local law enforcement within two hours of the tow. So the clock and the paper trail both start right away.
Rule 2: Other tows let the yard hold property, except medical supplies
For other tows, the statute says personal property in the vehicle “need not be released” until the charges are paid or you have made payment arrangements the tow company accepts. There is one exception written into the law. Personal medical supplies “shall be released to the owner thereof upon request.”
That covers things like prescription medicine, insulin, inhalers, a CPAP machine, or a wheelchair. If you need them, ask for them by name.
Rule 3: Wichita police impounds have their own short list
For cars impounded by the Wichita Police Department, the Records Bureau FAQ says items cannot be removed without paying the impound fees. It lists three exceptions: photo identification, prescription drugs, and legal documents such as Social Security cards and birth certificates.
How to Get Your Belongings Out of a Towed Car, Step by Step
- Find out who has the car. If you do not know, use our guide to find a towed car in Wichita.
- Find out what kind of tow it was. Ask the yard: “Was this a private property tow or a police tow?” That tells you which rule applies.
- Call before you drive over. Ask what hours they allow property pickup and what they need from you.
- Bring proof. Take a government photo ID and something that ties you to the car, such as the registration, title, or insurance card. Bring the keys if you have them.
- Go inside the 48 hours if it was a private property tow. Do not wait until the weekend is over.
- Take everything you need in one trip. Make a list first: car seat, medicine, phone charger, garage door opener, work tools, school bags, mail, and anything with your address on it.
If the yard will not let you take your belongings out of a towed car, stay calm and ask which rule they are following. If it was a private property tow and you are inside 48 hours, mention K.S.A. 8-1103(c). If you need medical supplies, say so plainly.
What Counts as Personal Property?
When people talk about getting belongings out of a towed car, they mean personal property. The statute does not give a list. In practice it means loose items that are yours and are not part of the car.
- Usually treated as personal property: car seats, strollers, tools, laptops, phones, clothing, groceries, paperwork, sports gear, and medicine.
- Usually treated as part of the vehicle: the stereo, wheels and tires, the battery, and anything bolted on.
If you are not sure, ask the yard before you start removing things.
What Happens to Belongings You Leave Behind?
K.S.A. 8-1103 says the tow company is responsible only for the reasonable care of property in the vehicle. It also says personal property that is never returned to the owner can be sold at the same auction as the vehicle.
That auction is not far off. The law lets a tow company sell a vehicle that has been in its possession for 30 days, after it sends the required notices. If you are not going to claim the car, get your things out early.
Why Speed Matters in Wichita
Three clocks start when a car is towed.
- The 48 hour property window on private property tows.
- Daily storage. For private property tows, the Wichita City Council approved a cap of $36 a day, as KSN reported.
- The 30 day sale clock in state law.
A car towed Friday night from a lot near Intrust Bank Arena can be past the 48 hour window by Sunday night. Getting your belongings out of a towed car does not require paying for the car when the 48 hour rule applies, so do that first. Our article on what a tow release costs in Wichita explains the fees, and this checklist covers the documents you need to get the car itself.
Questions About Belongings and Towed Cars
Can a tow company keep your personal property in Kansas?
For police tows and tows you requested, yes, until the bill is paid or arranged, except for personal medical supplies. For private property tows, you have 48 hours of access.
Can I get my medicine out of an impounded car?
Yes. State law requires personal medical supplies to be released on request, and Wichita police policy also allows prescription drugs to be removed.
Can someone else pick up my things?
Ask the yard. Most will want the owner there, or written permission from the owner along with photo ID.
Do I have to pay a fee just to get my belongings out of a towed car?
Kansas law does not set a property access fee. Ask the yard before you go, and ask for an itemized receipt for anything you are charged.
What about my license plate?
Ask the yard when you call. If you are giving up the car, tell them you want the plate and your registration papers.
If Your Car Is in Our Yard
If Miller’s has your vehicle, call 316-351-4754 and we will set a time for you to get your belongings. If your car is at another yard and needs to be moved after it is released, we can tow it to a shop or to your home. Property owners can read how we handle private property removal. See all of our towing services in Wichita, KS or use the contact page.