ARA Releases Revised Hold Harmless Agreement for Members
Recently, the ARA reviewed several Hold Harmless agreements being circulated and used within our industry and found them to be insufficient. While the ARA does not generally endorse the use of Hold Harmless agreements for a variety of reasons, we recognize why they are used from time to time. With that in mind, our attorneys […]
ARA and Westlake Collaborate to Clarify Processes and Strengthen Industry Standards
Following recent discussions, both the American Recovery Association (ARA) and Westlake Financial recognize the need for clear and unified communication regarding repossession procedures and expectations. While recent conversations have provided clarification on several points, many within the repossession community have continued to express uncertainty surrounding certain Westlake processes. Both organizations have received a significant number […]
Westlake Financial Services Update
As a result of our recent outreach to Westlake Financial Services, we’re pleased to report that meaningful progress has been made in addressing concerns surrounding their recent policy changes. To begin, it appears there was some misunderstanding regarding the use of the Hold Harmless document. This document was only intended to be required under specific circumstances—namely […]
Announcement from ARA Re: Westlake Financial Services
ARA has been made aware that Westlake Financial Services has recently adopted a policy denying agents’ requests to produce keys for repossessed and stored vehicles. In place of granting such requests, Westlake has begun issuing hold-harmless agreements to agents. While this may seem like an acceptable alternative, ARA maintains that this approach is neither appropriate […]
ARA Key Committee Leads Industrywide Discussions to Improve Key Process Collaboration
The American Recovery Association (ARA) Key Committee has recently taken significant steps toward strengthening collaboration across the repossession industry, engaging a wide range of stakeholders to address ongoing challenges in the key management process. In recent weeks, the committee has held strategic conversations with key players—including technology providers, lenders, forwarders, and recovery agents—to identify opportunities […]
The Evolving Landscape of Key Services in Repossession
At a recent industry conference, a veteran recovery agent chuckled as he reminisced, “I remember the good old days when we used a slide hammer to pull out the ignition. Back then, there were only a few key types—and we usually carried a replacement with us.” Fast forward thirty years, and the landscape of vehicle keys—and […]
RAPC Letter from the ARA President
Dear Members, It is my honor to announce the creation of the Recovery Agent Protection Committee (RAPC), chaired by Wade Argo, President of Argo Management in Illinois, and co-chaired by Amy Bednar, President of Relentless Recovery in Ohio. This committee was established to tackle one of the greatest challenges in our profession: ensuring the […]
Warning Signs Are Back—Will the Repo Market Repeat History?
September 11, 2025 Dear Members, This important update is brought to us by ARA member James Waldron. As many of us who’ve weathered past economic cycles can attest, signs of trouble often start quietly—then hit hard. We’re beginning to see patterns that resemble the early stages of the last major downturn in auto finance. What’s Happening […]
Driving Innovation, Transparency, and Efficiency in the Repossession Industry
September 10, 2025, by the ARA Technology Committee Introduction Technology is rapidly transforming the repossession industry. From compliance tools and data platforms to license plate recognition (LPR) systems and communication solutions, technology touches every aspect of recovery operations. However, fragmented platforms, inconsistent data ownership, and restrictive vendor practices have introduced inefficiencies, raised costs, and stifled […]
Fighting for Justice: A Recovery Agency’s Legal Battle
September 5, 2025 A few months ago, a routine recovery assignment spiraled into a legal nightmare for a seasoned professional — one that nearly ended a distinguished career in both repossession and law enforcement. An agent from a reputable recovery company was working accounts in a neighboring state, supported by a camera car. During a […]
