When Your Car Gets Towed: What Happens Next Could Cost You Hundreds

Getting your car towed is never a pleasant experience, but understanding what happens after the tow truck drives away can save you significant money and stress. Whether your vehicle was towed due to an accident, parking violation, or breakdown, the clock starts ticking immediately on storage fees that can quickly escalate into hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The Immediate Aftermath: Where Your Car Goes

Once your vehicle is towed, it’s typically taken to one of two places: a vehicle storage facility (VSF) or an impound lot. You can recover your car from the vehicle storage facility (VSF) after documenting that you are the owner (or allowed user) and paying the towing and storage fees. The location depends on who ordered the tow – police, private property owners, or emergency responders.

If you’re unsure where your car was taken, you can find your car by calling the phone number on the no parking sign if it was towed from private property. For police-ordered tows, contact the local police department for information.

Understanding Storage Fees: The Daily Clock

Storage fees are one of the most significant costs you’ll face after a tow. If you get towed, storage fees at impound lots range from $30 to $80 per day. However, these fees vary dramatically by location and facility type.

In Texas, for example, the maximum amount that a VSF may charge for a daily storage fee is as follows: $22.85 a day for vehicles 25 feet in length or less · $39.99 per day for vehicles over 25 feet in length. Meanwhile, recovering a vehicle towed by a public agency can cost $100-$1,000 or more depending on the reason the vehicle was towed; the type, size and condition of the vehicle; how long it is stored before it is claimed; and any fees or outstanding fines. Many jurisdictions charge an impound/vehicle release fee of $90-$250 or more.

Additional Fees You Should Expect

Storage isn’t the only fee you’ll encounter. Most facilities charge several additional costs:

• Notification Fee: A VSF may charge up to $50 for notifying you that your car is at their VSF.
• Impoundment Fee: A VSF may charge a car owner an impoundment fee if impoundment is performed.
• Administrative Costs: Various paperwork and processing fees
• After-hours Release Fees: If you need your car outside normal business hours

The Recovery Process: What You Need to Know

Recovering your vehicle requires proper documentation and payment of all fees. You cannot retrieve your car from the VSF without demonstrating that you are the owner or authorized user of the car. You’ll typically need:

• Valid driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance
• Payment for all towing and storage fees

At the VSF, you may have access to your car to get ownership documents if you don’t have them with you, which can be helpful in proving ownership.

Time Is Money: Acting Quickly Is Crucial

The most important thing to understand about towed vehicles is that time is your enemy. You are responsible for getting your vehicle out of storage as quickly as possible. Leaving your vehicle in storage can lead to exorbitant fees that can be thousands of dollars.

“Every day your car sits at that tow yard, there are storage fees and costs being assessed, and if you’re not careful, you’re going to end up being responsible for them.” I’ve seen situations where cars stay at a storage facility for days and weeks and, before you know it, there’s thousands of dollars in fees and costs associated with [storing your car].

When Insurance May Cover Costs

If your vehicle was towed after an accident that wasn’t your fault, if the other driver caused the accident, then they (or their insurance company) is responsible for paying for the storage fees. The wreck was the other driver’s fault, and therefore they (and their insurance company) should pay for your car’s towing fees.

However, if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, does not have enough insurance, or does not have an insurance policy that includes towing fees, then you will need to contact your own car insurance company. It’s likely that your policy includes coverage for towing and storage fees after an accident.

What Happens If You Can’t Pay

The consequences of not retrieving your vehicle can be severe. If you don’t have insurance coverage or the money for towing and storage, the towing company can’t give you back your vehicle. After a few weeks, the towing company could auction off your car if you fail to pay the towing and tow yard fees.

They can keep the car until the fees are paid. If the fees aren’t paid they will go through the process of placing a lien on the car and then selling the car at auction to recoup their fees (a “lien sale”).

Protecting Yourself: Prevention and Preparation

The best defense against overwhelming towing and storage costs is preparation and quick action. If you find yourself in need of reliable towing services, companies like Towing Company Eagle River, AK provide transparent pricing and professional service to help minimize unexpected costs.

Tonk-A-Towz, a veteran-owned company serving the Matanuska-Susitna County area, emphasizes the importance of clear communication and fair pricing. They believe in transparency when it comes to pricing. At Tonk-A-Towz, they provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind knowing exactly what to expect.

Your Rights and Options

You’re not powerless when dealing with towing and storage situations. You have the right to challenge whether your vehicle was properly towed and the reasonableness of towing and storage fees. This must be done in a timely manner and in an appropriate district court.

Many states have specific timeframes for filing challenges – you must file your petition within 20 days from the abandoned vehicle notice date in some jurisdictions.

Understanding what happens to your car after it gets towed can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary costs. Remember that storage fees accumulate daily, so acting quickly to either retrieve your vehicle or work with insurance companies is essential. Whether dealing with an accident, parking violation, or breakdown, knowing your rights and the recovery process can save you both money and stress during an already difficult situation.