Abandoned RV reimbursement

Vehicle eligibility information

• Only recreational vehicles (motorhomes, travel trailers, campers) are eligible for reimbursement. We will not accept requests for utility trailers, farm use equipment, trucks, etc.
• Costs related to towing, storage, and dismantling, or disposal of the abandoned recreational vehicles accrued after May 1, 2019 are eligible for reimbursement.
• You will need to know the RV type and length. VIN information is preferred if available.
• The Recreational Vehicle (RV) must meet the criteria below:
  • Be impounded from public property and abandoned. A call from law enforcement initiated the impound. You processed it under the standard towing and impoundment laws that you are accustomed to; and
  • Receive no bids at auction. It cannot receive any successful bids during the auction. It cannot be a purchased RV. You must include the completed Abandoned Vehicle Report (AVR) as one of the supporting documents in your request; and
  • Be abandoned by the owner or the last known registered owner is unknown after a reasonable effort. You must perform due diligence and attempt to locate the registered owner of the abandoned recreational vehicle. Follow the legal process for moving any vehicle to the auction stage. The process of getting an RV ready to auction is the same as any other vehicle; or
  • Be declared an abandoned junk vehicle by a law enforcement officer. A law enforcement officer or authorized junk inspector will give you a completed Junk Vehicle Affidavit.
• You must have an active business license at the time you provide services to be eligible for reimbursement. We will verify your business license status before approving your request.
• Each business type must complete its process before applying for reimbursement.
  • For a registered tow truck operator (RTTO), the process is complete after you deliver the RV to a licensed vehicle wrecker or scrap/salvage processor for disposal.
  • For a wrecker or a scrap/salvage processor, the process is complete when the vehicle is destroyed enough to be unusable.

How to request reimbursement for abandoned RV disposal

Registered tow truck operators (RTTO)

Submit your request for reimbursement in your License Express (LX) for Business account.

Upload all the following documentation to support your request:

• A copy of the completed AVR with the Affidavit of Sale section completed as proof of delivery. Or, Junk Vehicle Affidavit with the Affidavit of Destruction section completed as proof of delivery.
• A completed Certificate of Fact. It must state:
  • Tow truck vehicle class,
  • Tow truck hours of service,
  • Tow truck license plate number, and
  • The number of days stored if not already included on your invoice.
  • Proof of dates of storage for the abandoned RV, if applicable.
• Written record of delivery to a licensed dismantler or authorized disposal site. The AVR or Junk Vehicle Affidavit will serve as written record if the Affidavit of Sale is properly completed.
• The impound authorization form. The law enforcement officer requesting the tow must complete it.
• The Certificate of Mailing for the impound notice, other proof of reasonable contact to the registered owner, or a Department of Licensing letter stating no registered owner was found.
• All receipts verifying all costs requested for reimbursement.

We will deny your request if it doesn’t include all the documentation listed above. We will also deny it if the documentation provided doesn’t support costs accrued after May 1, 2019.

Vehicle wreckers and salvage processor businesses

Submit your request for reimbursement in your License Express (LX) for Business account.

Upload all the following documentation to support your request:

• A copy of the completed AVR with the Affidavit of Sale section completed as proof of delivery or Junk Vehicle Affidavit with the Affidavit of Destruction section completed as proof of delivery.
• Report the RV as destroyed in your destroyed vehicle account inside License Express for business.
• A completed Certificate of Fact stating vehicle has been properly and completely destroyed in such manner so it isn't usable as a vehicle again and the date of destruction.
• All receipts verifying all costs requested for reimbursement.

We will deny your request if:

• It is made 60 or more days after the activity a reimbursement is being requested for occurs.
• It is missing 2 or more required documents.
• You have not provided the requested missing documentation within 4 business days of it being requested.
• You did not make a reasonable effort to find and/or contact the vehicle's registered owner.
• You did not have an active statewide vendor number (SVN).
• You still have possession of the vehicle.
• You did not have an active business license to perform the activity at the time of the activity.
• It doesn't support costs accrued after May 1, 2019.

Forms

• Abandoned RV Reimbursement Request form
• Abandoned RV Denied Reimbursement Appeal form
• Abandoned RV Payback form

Related laws and rules

• WAC 308-61-195(1) and (2)
• WAC 308-61-197(1)(b) and (c)
• WAC 308-61-215(2)(d)
• RCW 46.55
• RCW 46.55.080(2)
• RCW 46.55.100
• RCW 46.55.110(3)