What Shield handles / 01
Vehicle recovery
Recovering the vehicle is one part of the file.
What separates one agency from another is not whether the unit comes back. It is whether the account of how it came back survives being read by somebody who was not there.
What Shield recovers
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and equipment inside the Bay Area service area. Contact operations to confirm the unit type, voluntary or involuntary assignment, and any access or equipment requirements.
- Cars, light trucks and SUVs
- Motorcycles
- Recreational vehicles and trailers
- Commercial vehicles and equipment
- Voluntary surrender arrangements
- Skip work and licence plate recognition support within the service area
The legal limits matter before the truck moves.
California Commercial Code section 9609 permits possession without judicial process only if it proceeds without breach of the peace. Discuss access restrictions, safety concerns and assignment changes with operations.
- Before the assignment
- Provide relevant access restrictions and known safety information through the approved channel. Confirm the authority for the work.
- A change or cancellation
- Contact operations promptly and confirm receipt and the current assignment status.
- Personal belongings
- California has separate rules for personal effects and inventory notices. Call operations about collection, identification, authorization and any charges.
Placing a file
What Shield needs from you to work a file properly.
Have the vehicle, location and authorization details ready. Confirm the assignment channel with operations; do not put sensitive file information into website inquiry forms.
- Year, make, model, VIN and plate, plus colour if the VIN is unconfirmed
- All known addresses — garaging, employment, and any address a payment came from
- Lienholder name as it must appear on the release paperwork
- Whether the account is a voluntary surrender or an involuntary recovery
- Any known safety history, prior incident, or protective order on the account
- Key availability, and whether a key can be provided
Start with the vehicle and the location.
Confirm coverage, assignment instructions and the reporting your institution needs.