American Credit Acceptance repossessed your car — and your belongings were still inside? Your personal property is not theirs to keep, and they generally can’t hold your things hostage until you pay. Here’s how to get your stuff back and what to do if it’s damaged or missing.
What counts as your personal property
Anything that isn’t part of the vehicle itself: child car seats, tools, electronics, clothing, cash, paperwork, prescriptions, work equipment, aftermarket items you can remove, and so on. Built-in parts of the car are a gray area, but your loose belongings are clearly yours.
How to get your belongings back
- Ask in writing, immediately. Email or text the lender/repo company a dated request listing your items and asking when and where to retrieve them. Written = a record.
- Make an inventory of what was in the car, with estimated values — ideally before you even contact them.
- Don’t let them require a payment to release your property. If they try, note it in writing — that can itself be a violation.
- Set a deadline in your request and keep copies of everything.
- If items are missing or damaged, document it and raise it — you may have a claim for the loss.
If they refuse, stall, or lose your things
Withholding your personal property, damaging it, or demanding money to return it can add to your leverage — on top of any problems with the repossession itself. Keep every message. Then look at the bigger picture: how the car was taken and the notices that followed often matter even more than the belongings. Check whether the whole repossession was legal →
Don’t stop at your belongings
Getting your things back is step one. If the repossession broke the rules, you may also be able to fight the deficiency and recover more. See wrongful-repossession remedies →
MultiGen Law Institute is a consumer-advocacy organization, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to American Credit Acceptance. Laws vary by state and change over time; consult a licensed attorney in your state about your situation. Questions? Call 888-728-6069.