Yes, a repo agent can sometimes move another vehicle to reach yours, but only if it does not cause damage or create a “breach of the peace.” This means they cannot use force, break into locked areas, or act in a way that disturbs the peace.
While they are often permitted to enter public spaces and, in some cases, private property, they must stop if asked to leave by the property owner or authorities. If you have questions about your rights during repossession, the Louisville bankruptcy lawyers at O’Bryan Law Offices are here to guide you through your options.
If your vehicle is at risk of repossession, getting legal help quickly can make all the difference. At O’Bryan Law Offices, our experienced Louisville bankruptcy attorneys can review your situation, explain your rights, and outline strategies to protect your property.
Call us today at (502) 339-0222 to schedule your free consultation.
What Repo Agents Can Do
1. Move Other Vehicles Blocking Access
A repossession agent may move another car if it is blocking the one they are authorized to take. However, this is only permitted if they do not cause any damage to the blocking vehicle or surrounding property. Even a small amount of damage could expose the repossession company and lender to legal liability.
This means while they can adjust or shift another car out of the way, they must do so carefully. If your car is blocked in, relying on this tactic to prevent repossession is rarely effective, since agents are trained to find lawful ways to access the vehicle.
2. Enter Public Areas
Repo agents are free to repossess vehicles located on public property. This includes streets, store parking lots, or any other area that does not require permission to access. They do not have to provide advance notice before doing so, which often catches borrowers off guard.
Because of this, leaving your car in a public space is one of the riskiest situations if you are behind on payments. Once the car is visible and accessible, agents can tow it away quickly without warning.
3. Access Some Private Property
In some situations, agents may enter private property to repossess a vehicle. For example, they can walk onto your driveway or an open yard to take the car. As long as they do not break into a locked garage or cause a disturbance, this action is generally considered lawful.
However, if the property owner asks the repo agent to leave, they must stop the repossession attempt immediately. Ignoring such a request may count as a “breach of the peace,” which can lead to legal consequences for the lender and repossession company.
What Repo Agents Cannot Do
1. Breach the Peace
Repo agents are not allowed to use threats, physical force, or intimidation when attempting to repossess a vehicle. Actions such as breaking into a locked garage, cutting a fence, or getting into a confrontation with the owner can all qualify as a “breach of the peace.”
The law is designed to keep repossessions non-violent and orderly. If an agent crosses that line, you may have legal grounds to challenge the repossession or seek damages for their conduct.
2. Damage Property
When repossessing a vehicle, agents cannot damage other cars, driveways, gates, or personal belongings. Any harm caused during the process could make the repossession unlawful and expose the creditor to liability.
This is why agents are trained to carefully remove vehicles without causing harm. If property damage does occur, you should document it immediately and contact an attorney to discuss your rights.
3. Enter Restricted Areas
Repossession workers cannot enter restricted or secured areas without permission. Examples include locked garages, fenced yards with closed gates, or inside buildings. Entering these areas without consent would likely be considered trespassing.
If your vehicle is in a locked or secured area, the repo company must obtain a court order before they can access it. Without that legal step, their actions could be challenged in court.
4. Use Police to Enforce Repossession
Repo agents are not law enforcement and cannot rely on the police to force you into handing over your vehicle. While officers may be present to keep the peace, they are not permitted to intervene on behalf of the repo company.
If an agent threatens to “call the police” to make you surrender the car, that is misleading. The role of law enforcement is only to prevent conflict, not to help repossess property for a private creditor.
| ✅ Repo Agents CAN | ❌ Repo Agents CANNOT | ⚖️ What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Move another car blocking yours if no damage is caused | Push, scrape, or damage another vehicle | Parking another car in front of yours won’t always stop repossession — they can carefully move it. |
| Take your car from public spaces (streets, parking lots) without warning | Promise advance notice before repossession | Cars left in public are the easiest targets — repossession can happen anytime. |
| Enter driveways or open yards to tow the vehicle | Break into locked garages, fenced yards, or buildings | If your car is secured, they need a court order before entering. |
| Stop if asked to leave by the owner or authorities | Ignore your request and keep repossessing | Telling them to leave can protect you — if they stay, it may count as a “breach of the peace.” |
| Sell the car at auction (usually quickly) | Sell without notice or for an unreasonably low price | You’ll get notice of the sale, but may still owe money if the car sells for less than your loan balance. |
What You Can Do
1. Do Not Block Your Car
It may seem like a good idea to park another vehicle in front of yours to prevent repossession. In reality, repo agents are often allowed to move the blocking car as long as they don’t cause damage. This makes the strategy both risky and ineffective.
Instead of trying to physically stop repossession, it’s more effective to address the issue directly with your lender or through legal options like bankruptcy.
2. Ask Them to Leave
If a repo agent comes onto your property, you have the right to ask them to leave. Once you make that request, they must stop the repossession attempt immediately. Ignoring you could count as a “breach of the peace.”
This doesn’t erase your debt or stop future attempts, but it may buy you time to seek legal advice or take financial action.
3. Contact an Attorney
When you are facing repossession, speaking with a bankruptcy attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. A lawyer can explain your rights, review whether the repo company followed the law, and help you choose the best path forward.
Bankruptcy often provides immediate relief through an automatic stay, which forces creditors to stop collection efforts and repossessions. Depending on your situation, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy may even allow you to keep your car while you reorganize your finances.
4. Work With Your Lender
Communication with your loan company is often the first step to avoiding repossession. Many lenders are open to short-term solutions, such as extending your payment deadline or restructuring your loan terms.
While this won’t erase the debt, it may make your payments more manageable and help you keep your vehicle. The key is to act before the repossession takes place.
Repossession Laws in Kentucky
Your loan agreement outlines the measures your finance company takes to reclaim property. This includes repossessing collateral without prior notice. But can a repo man move another car to get to yours?
Debtors have protection in these situations. Kentucky law says creditors cannot:
- Take a car using physical force or breach the peace
- Take a vehicle from an enclosed area without the property owner’s permission
- Sell the car without providing the debtor with advance notice
- Accept a lowball price when selling the repossessed vehicle
- Seize a vehicle that has no liens
Whether a repossession agent can move another car to get to yours depends on whether they breach the peace to do so. They also cannot damage the other vehicle.
Most lenders move fast to sell the car. You owe the difference if the sale price does not cover the total amount owed (including repossession costs and a storage facility).
In Kentucky, it is illegal to stop repo agents from repossessing a vehicle if a Writ of Possession is on file. If the creditor breaks the law while repossessing and selling your car, claiming damages is possible. You may also use this in any additional collection cases.
Is Your Car In Danger of Being Repossessed?
You are in danger of a car repo if you are late on your car payments. Bankruptcy’s automatic stay stops the repossession of your car. Creditors must stop repossession or harassing collection attempts. Read more about how to stop creditor harassment.
A bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay. This means creditors can’t contact you, foreclose on or repossess property, and move forward with a lawsuit. This is true no matter how many payments are late or the outstanding balance.
Speaking with a Louisville bankruptcy attorney and filing before a repossession helps save your car. The automatic stay only keeps a creditor from repossessing your automobile. It does not make them return a vehicle that’s already seized.
Negotiate With Your Loan Company
You need to stay ahead of a car repossession to keep your car. Once the repo man takes it, it is hard to get back.
To avoid repossession, contact your lender right away if you know you will be late. If they think you’ll make your payment a little late, your creditor may agree to a delay. Another option is requesting the lender add the car payment to the end of your loan period. Asking that your lender extend the length of the loan is another option. This reduces the monthly payment, but you will pay more in interest.
If you cannot pay due to your financial situation, seek the assistance of a Louisville bankruptcy lawyer. Be sure to do this before a repossession agent seizes your motor vehicle.
How Do Repo Companies Find Your Car?
Your lender tells the repo company where you live and work. Other information, like where you go to school or relatives’ addresses, is also shared. Nowadays, lease and purchase documents allow the creditor access to your vehicle’s electronic tracking device. If the car is parked in public or outside your locked garage, they take it. They may hotwire it, use a master key, or tow it away.
If you hide the vehicle, the repo men look for it. They search your neighborhood and other areas you go to often. You can lose your right to get the car back after a repossession if a court decides you acted in bad faith.
How To Stop Repo Man From Taking Your Car
You can stop the repo guy by filing for bankruptcy. But keep in mind that the automatic stay is not a long-term solution to halting a car repossession. Bankruptcy Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy offer pros and cons and different types of relief to debtors. Speak with a knowledgeable Kentucky bankruptcy lawyer to choose the best option for your financial situation.
Keeping the car or discharging any balance owed relies on the type of bankruptcy selected. Borrowers wanting to keep their vehicle typically file Chapter 13. Car owners get up to 5 years to pay off the car loan. Lower monthly payments are another benefit of the lengthened loan period. A reduced interest rate is frequently a benefit of filing bankruptcy, too.
What Happens If You Hide a Car from Repossession?
Some people think they can avoid repossession if they hide their car from the lender. While this might delay the process, it usually doesn’t stop it. If repo agents cannot access the vehicle because it is hidden, blocked, or locked away, your lender can go to court and request a replevin. Replevin is a court order that requires the car to be turned over, giving the creditor legal authority to collect it.
It’s important to understand that repo agents must follow the law during this process. They cannot break into locked areas or use force to take the car without a court order. Once a judge grants replevin, however, the lender does not have to notify you before sending agents to collect the vehicle. You will, however, receive notice that replevin is being pursued, and you have the right to dispute it at the hearing.
Letting a Car Get Repossessed
Surrendering the car and discharging the debt is possible if you don’t want to keep it. Please contact the lender and tell them you want to do this. If you ignore the situation, your total debt rises due to legal fees, late fees, and interest.
You owe it if the car auction sale doesn’t cover the entire balance. This leads to garnished wages and property liens to recoup this money.
If the debtor files in bankruptcy court and the debt discharges, personal liability for this debt goes away per bankruptcy law 11 U.S.C § 727.
How To Avoid and Deal With Car Repossession
Clients frequently ask can a repo man move another car to get to yours? The answer is maybe. However, they cannot breach the peace or damage the other vehicle in the process. In any case, a repo agent will watch your vehicle, and as soon as it is accessible, they will repossess your car.
It’s best to file for Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy before the repossession happens is your best bet. Creditors cannot pursue collection attempts and repossessions as soon as you file. This lets you stop wage garnishments, and the repo man gets sent on his way.
Cars, houses, and many other items are considered exempt in bankruptcy proceedings. Your specific situation determines whether your vehicle is exempt.
When filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have to be current on your car payments. You should be able to keep your car if you are current. However, this may not be the case if the vehicle’s equity is more than the exempt amount.
Chapter 13 does not require you to be current on your missed payments. This type of bankruptcy allows you to make car loan payments for up to five years and renegotiate your loan terms.
But remember, avoid car repossession by filing right away. If your lender repossesses your automobile, bankruptcy can’t get it back.
Maintain a Good Credit Score
To build your credit up again after filing bankruptcy, you’ll need to follow some guidelines. These include always paying your loans on time. Get current if you are behind.
It’s best to keep your balances much lower than your total credit limit. You don’t want to use a lot of your available credit. Paying off the balance each month raises your score and keeps you from accruing interest.
The longer your credit history, the better. So don’t close accounts that you’ve had for a long time. It can negatively impact your score.
Don’t apply for credit unless you need it. Credits have a negative view of borrowers who apply for a lot of credit in a short amount of time.
And be sure to look over your credit report from time to time. Check for errors and contact the credit reporting agency to correct any you find. Monitor for suspicious activities and attempts at identity theft.
What Happens When a Car is Repoed in Kentucky?
Any personal property left in a vehicle when repossessed is still yours. It’s your right to retrieve it. After-market additions and upgrades to the car are your property. These may be returned or credited to the debtor. However, this depends on the type of upgrade and the sale contract terms.
Your lender must send you a notice of sale. And negotiating for the return of your car before the auction is your legal right. You may also attend the auction and repurchase the vehicle.
Paying the “redemption amount” for the vehicle is another option. Your lender must provide this figure to you in writing. This amount includes the repossession costs and the balance due on the loan.
You’ll pay a deficiency balance if the car auctions for less than you owe. This means you’ll still be paying for a car you no longer own.
Stop the Repossession of Your Vehicle Today
If your car is at risk of being repossessed, it’s important to take action quickly. Filing for bankruptcy may be the best way to protect your vehicle, since the automatic stay requires creditors to stop collection attempts immediately. Whether you are considering Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and decide the best path forward.
At O’Bryan Law Offices, we know how stressful repossession can be. Our team is here to help you fight for your car and your financial stability.
Call us today at (502) 339-0222 to schedule your free consultation with one of our trusted Louisville bankruptcy attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, repo agents are allowed to monitor your movements in public places as part of the repossession process. They may wait near your home, workplace, or other common locations until they can legally get to your vehicle without causing a breach of the peace.
Repo agents can enter an open driveway or yard, but if your backyard is fenced and secured, they cannot legally force entry. Doing so would likely violate the law and make the repossession invalid.
No, entering a closed or locked garage is not allowed without a court order. Repo agents must respect secured areas, and forcing entry could be considered trespassing.
If your gate is unlocked, they may walk through to access the car. However, breaking a lock or damaging the gate is not permitted, as repo agents must avoid property damage during repossession. If this happens, you may have grounds to protect your consumer rights by contacting an attorney and challenging the repossession.
In many cases, lenders provide repo companies with information from GPS devices or other technology to locate a car. This makes it easier to find a vehicle without permission to enter locked areas, but it does allow them to locate and recover the car when it’s left in accessible spaces.
There is no fixed number of missed payments required before vehicle repossession occurs. Some lenders may act after one or two missed payments, while others allow more time. If you’re at risk, it’s best to communicate with your lender or take legal action with the help of an attorney to protect your rights.
If the repo company cannot locate the vehicle, the lender may seek a court order, called replevin, to require you to turn it over. Hiding the car can delay the repossession process, but it often leads to more legal and financial consequences.
There’s no strict time limit on how long a repo company can search. Some will keep checking common locations for weeks or months, while others may stop sooner if the lender decides to take legal action in court. The longer the debt goes unpaid, the more likely the lender will escalate the repossession process.
