Do a 15-minute sweep before the tow truck arrives. Remove the garage-door remote, spare house keys, toll transponder, parking permits, disability placards, insurance card, registration, glovebox papers, personal items, valuables, and anything in the trunk. Factory-reset the infotainment system so Bluetooth pairings, HomeLink, saved contacts, and the saved home address are erased. Leave the keys and the signed-over title with the car.
Your pre-pickup checklist
Remove Security Items First
Start with anything that opens a door or protects your home. Remove the garage-door remote, building fobs, spare house keys, mailbox keys, and any hidden key box. Check the visor, console tray, door pockets, and cup holders. If another driver used the car, ask them to check their key ring and bags before the tow truck takes the vehicle.
Pull Billing Items
Take out the toll transponder, parking pass, workplace permit, garage access card, and any pay-by-plate sticker. Then log in to the toll account and remove this vehicle from the account. Pulling the device is not always enough. Check auto-pay settings, stored plates, and any family account that may still bill trips to this vehicle.
Clear Glovebox Documents
Open the glovebox and remove the insurance card, registration, repair receipts with your address, loan papers, service contracts, medical paperwork, and anything with an account number. Also check the owner manual sleeve. Keep documents you may need for tax records or personal files. Do not leave your driver license copy, old checks, or warranty paperwork in the car.
Sweep Cabin and Trunk
Work front to back. Check under the seats, seat-back pockets, floor mats, door pockets, center console, visors, cup holders, ashtray, sunglass holder, and phone-charging area. Then open the trunk or hatch. Look in cargo bins, side panels, emergency kit pouches, the spare-tire well, and around the jack. Remove bags, tools, clothing, cash, medications, and family items.
Wipe Stored Vehicle Data
Factory-reset the infotainment system if the car has one. Delete Bluetooth pairings, stored contacts, call history, saved navigation destinations, the saved home address, garage-door programming through HomeLink, Wi-Fi settings, and app connections. If you cannot find the reset menu, remove phones manually from the paired-device list and clear navigation favorites before you finish the sweep.
Decide on Aftermarket Items
Remove aftermarket items only if you can do it safely and the car still matches what you described to Nutmeg Auto Aid. Common removals include dash cams, phone mounts, upgraded stereos, removable GPS units, child seats, custom floor mats, and personal tool kits. Do not strip factory parts, damage wiring, or remove equipment needed to roll, steer, brake, or tow the vehicle.
Leave Keys and Title
Leave every key you have for the vehicle, including the main key, spare key, valet key, and key fob if available. Leave the signed-over title with the car as instructed for your donation. Put the title somewhere the driver can find it, such as the front seat or center console, and keep your own copies of documents you need.
Paperwork Items to Handle Separately
This page is only the sweep-the-car checklist. If a paperwork rule depends on ownership status, registration status, lien status, or a recent move, confirm it with the Connecticut DMV instead of guessing. For plates, see our License Plates After Donation guide. For release of liability, see our Release of Liability After Donation guide. Keep your donation records, title copy if you made one, and any receipt from Nutmeg Auto Aid in a safe place after the vehicle leaves.
Common questions
Should I leave my insurance card in the car?
No. Remove the insurance card and any policy papers from the glovebox. They include personal and account information. If you need to cancel or change coverage, contact your insurer after the donation is underway and keep any confirmation for your records.
Can I keep accessories I added to the vehicle?
Yes, if they are removable and taking them out does not damage the car or change its basic condition. Dash cams, child seats, phone mounts, and removable GPS units are common. Leave factory equipment and anything needed for safe towing.
What if I find personal property after the pickup?
Contact Nutmeg Auto Aid as soon as you notice. Share the donor name, vehicle description, and the item you are missing. Recovery is not always possible once a vehicle has moved through the donation process, so the 15-minute sweep matters.
More donation prep guides
A clean sweep protects your home access, billing accounts, documents, valuables, and digital privacy. Once the car is empty, leave the keys and signed-over title with the vehicle for free pickup. Your completed donation through Nutmeg Auto Aid benefits Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you are standing by the car now, run this checklist once more before you walk away.