It used to be that if a vehicle was left abandoned on private property, after two years, a person could contact the Washington State Patrol and receive ownership paperwork for the abandon vehicle.
Apparently, things have changed. By contacting local law enforcement, they will perform a "hulk vehicle inspection" a no charge, contact the legal owner, after two weeks with no reply from the owner, salvage paperwork will be issued to the property owner where the vehicle has been left.
If this case, the vehicle has been abandoned for over 8 years on my property. I went to the Department of Licensing 1 year ago and could not get any owner information. I went back and got the name of an Insurance company as the current registered owner. I then contacted the insurance company and got the run around about them coming to get the car. I called the Sheriff and was told to pay a tow company to remove the vehicle myself. I finally sent the insurance company a registered letter requesting they remove it. The insurance company waited 2 weeks (I took 2 days off waiting for them to arrive to pick up the vehicle, they didn't show up) then called to "schedule an appointment to retrieve the vehicle. Now I'm irritated and would like to be reimbursed for my trouble by salvaging the vehicle myself. How or when does it become mine? Or how can I receive salvage paperwork for this vehicle that will allow me to have it inspected and re-license it. Where does the law stand?

Hello T:

An abandoned vehicle NEVER automatically becomes anybody's. The statute of limitations doesn't deal with cars.

excon

PS> If you want to find out what to do, stop talking to the cops and talk with the DMV. However, don't go in with a story. Go in and ask how you apply for a salvage title, and then shut up.