What happens when your car gets towed away? Your vehicle can be towed away for several reasons. If you park in a no-parking zone or your car is blocking traffic, it may be towed by the police. If you have unpaid parking tickets, your car may be towed by a private company. And if you’re involved in an accident, your car may be towed by a tow truck.
If your car gets towed away, it can be a frustrating and expensive experience. Here are seven things that can happen if your car gets towed away.
1. You May Have to Pay a Towing Fee
You may have to pay a towing fee if your car gets towed away. The towing fee is the cost of having your vehicle towed to a tow yard or storage lot. What happens is that the lien holder on your car, the company that owns the tow truck, can put a lien on your vehicle. This means that if you don’t pay the towing fee, they can keep your car and sell it to cover the cost of the tow.
The average towing fee is about $100, but it can vary depending on the location and the company that tows your car. Some companies charge a flat rate, while others charge by the mile. And if you’re late paying the towing fee, you may also have to pay a late payment penalty.
2. You May Have to Pay for Storage Fees
If you can’t get your car out of impound immediately, you could be looking at some pretty hefty bills. Storage fees are just one part of the equation; you’ll also have to pay any fines or penalties that have been assessed against you. And if you’re caught driving without a valid license or registration, that could add even more costs to the mix.
The cost of storage fees will vary depending on the city or municipality where your car is towed. In some cases, the fee may be a set amount per day, while in others, it may be based on the size of the vehicle. You will most likely be charged each day your car is stored in a tow yard or impound lot.
To avoid storage fees:
- Try to get your car out of the impound as soon as possible. The longer your car is in impound, the more storage fees you’ll rack up.
- If you can’t get your car out of impound immediately, try negotiating a payment plan with the tow company. Many companies are willing to work with you if you’re having trouble paying the fees.
3. Your Car May Be Damaged
When you get your car towed, there’s always a chance it might be damaged. Towing companies are under a lot of pressure to get cars off the street as quickly as possible, and sometimes they may not take the necessary precautions to avoid damage.
For example, they may not use enough straps or chains to secure the car to the tow truck, which can lead to unnecessary wear and tear. Or they may drive too quickly with the car hanging off the back of the truck, which can cause serious damage.
4. You May Lose Your License Plate or Registration
You may lose your license plate or registration if your car gets towed. In some states, the law requires that your license plate be surrendered to the tow company when your car is impounded. And in other states, the law also requires that your registration be surrendered.
If you lose your license plate or registration, you’ll have to pay a fee to replace them. The fee is usually around $25, but it can vary depending on the state. And if you don’t have a current registration, you may not be able to get your car out of impound.
5. Your Insurance Rates May Increase
When you get pulled over for a parking violation or if your car gets towed away, one of the potential consequences is that your insurance rates may go up. This is because having a towed car can be seen as a distraction and increases the likelihood that you’ll get into an accident. As such, many insurance companies will raise premiums as a way to protect themselves in case you do end up getting into an accident.
If you’re already struggling to afford high premiums, having your car towed could lead to even higher monthly costs. It’s essential to keep this in mind if you’re ever in danger of having your vehicle towed, and make sure to contact your insurer ahead of time so that they are aware of the situation.
6. You Could Lose Your Job
If you rely on your car to get to work, having it towed could have severe implications for your job. If you can’t afford the towing and storage fees, you may not be able to retrieve your car promptly. This could lead to you being late for work or even missing work entirely, which could put your job at risk.
Even if you can get your car back quickly, the stress of dealing with the situation could impact your work performance. It will be challenging to focus on your job if you’re constantly worrying about your vehicle and how you will pay the fees. Sometimes, this could lead to you being let go from your position.
7. You Could Go to Jail
In some cases, having your car towed can lead to more severe consequences than just financial ones. If you’re caught driving without a valid license or registration, you could end up spending time in jail. Additionally, if your car is impounded for an extended period, you may be charged with abandonment, which is a criminal offense.
Of course, the severity of the consequences will depend on the situation and the laws in your state. But it’s essential to know the potential legal implications of having your car towed.
Having your car towed can be a major inconvenience, and it can also lead to some serious financial consequences. If you’re ever in danger of having your vehicle towed, take all necessary precautions to avoid the situation. And if your car does get towed, be sure to act quickly to retrieve it so that you can minimize the potential damage.
