30-year-old lien vanishes

Jan Schill renewed her vehicle registration in South Florida and discovered a lien on her tag. The fee belonged to a towing company that recovered a 1992 Mercedes 300 Diesel from a canal. Schill had reported that car stolen more than three decades ago.

Schill bought the diesel vehicle when she was younger. She named it Trip because she enjoyed driving it. She owned the car for two years. One morning, she found the driveway empty after parking it there the night before. The vehicle was never located. Schill filed a claim with her insurance provider. She surrendered the title and received a check for the car's value.

In 2025, the sheriff's office contacted Schill. They found the submerged Mercedes in a canal. Schill told officials the car no longer belonged to her. She had transferred ownership to the insurer when the vehicle was declared a total loss. She believed the matter was closed. Months later, she discovered the tow company placed a lien against her name to cover recovery costs.

Howard Finkelstein, a consumer advocate, determined the insurance company owed the debt. He explained that the insurer became the legal owner after paying Schill for the total loss. Therefore, the insurer was responsible for the recovery expenses. Finkelstein stated the tow company was entitled to payment from the new owner.

Schill contacted the insurer about the error. The company acknowledged the oversight. Within the same week, they sent a check to the tow firm. The towing company received the funds and removed the lien from Schill's record. Schill then renewed her tags without delay.

Schill noted that the resolution process was quick once the parties communicated. She said she could not have resolved the billing issue alone. Finkelstein advised other drivers to request proof from their insurers that a change of ownership was filed with the DMV after a total loss payout. This step can prevent similar billing disputes in the future.