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About Richard
Expertise
Professional towing and recovery operator for 30 Plus years, dealing with light to heavy duty towing operations... Nationally certified by various agencies - associations.. Been answering questions here for 4 + years now on AllExperts. I know that many people do not understand vehicle towing when ordered by Law Enforcement or from Private Property Parking lots, which I will try to help with. BUT, I DO NOT AND WILL NOT answer any RV TOWING ISSUES, or actual law cases or proposed cases...

Experience
I have 30+ years of towing experience dealing with everything from Light duty ( cars and pickups ) to tractor trailer rigs, motor homes and buses.. Motor clubs to police calls, lockouts to jumpstarts and tows. I have experienced alot of fun times doing my job. Some have been good experiences and some of have been heart wrenching experiences.

Organizations
Been affiliated with TRAA(towing and recovery association of america), Oregon Tow Truck Association, Washington Tow Truck Association, Wyoming Tow Truck Association , and Alabama Tow Truck Association

Publications
Tow Times Magazine
American Towman
STA Phantom Towing News
Towing and Recovery Phootnotes Footnotes Towing and Recovery News

Education/Credentials
TRAA Heavy duty Trained operator 1987
TRAA Management Classes 1986
Wreckmaster training programs (since 1992)
Several other training programs (to many to list )

You are here: Experts > Autos > Towing > Towing Issues > How much can they really charge?

Towing Issues - How much can they really charge?

Expert: Richard - 11/4/2009

Question
I had my vehicle towed b/c I didn't have current registration when pulled over by the police. In a dire financial situation, I gave up claiming for the car back. It was a 1992 Honda Accord.

Recently, I got a bill claimed for $2500 additional fee and expenses even though the tower sold the car already. I just wondered is it legal for them to claim that much. There is no way I can pay them in my current state.

Thanks for helping

Answer
Well not sure where this is, but it does sound like you might be in California...

As a rule, towing services charge for the tow and then storage of the vehicle at rates which do not change with the age or value of the vehicle. They do tend to change for larger sized vehicles and such.

Now as to the fees, well in some areas the towing and storage fees are regulated by police contracts between tow companies and the police department...
That means that there are set rates to be charged.

As to the collection letters and attempts to collect by the tow company, well they are a private business, not tax payer supported and as such if they do not make a profit and collect on old or bad debts then they will be out of business.

As to the tow company selling the vehicle, that is legal and in most states, they are entitled to and able to go after the balance due for towing and storage, less what ever the car sold for at auction.

And in many states, if you do not pay the tow company the money owed, then your drivers license or other vehicle licenses can be suspended.

Hope this "GENERAL INFORMATION" helps

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