Car towing is a necessity from time to time for many drivers. You need to contact a tow company to get your car towed back home or to the shop whenever your car breaks down. If you’re not sure how long the towing company can keep your vehicle, here’s what you should know! In most cases, your car will be gone for at least 24 hours, but there are some cases where it can be longer than that.
Why did my car get towed in the first place?
There are many reasons why your car might be towed, but it usually has to do with parking. If you parked illegally in a private property or were blocking traffic when the tow truck came by, they can legally impound your vehicle until it’s moved. When this happens, the only way to get back inside is to pay a fee! You will also have to pay more money to get the motor vehicles out of impound, so it’s a good idea not to park illegally. Another reason this happens is if you were in an accident and the car needs moving for safety reasons. You can also get pulled by the authorities, but this will only happen after a significant crime or when they suspect that something illegal is going on in your vehicle (drugs, weapons, etc.). If this happens, there’s nothing you can do but wait. The tow company will keep your car for as long as the authorities need it, so this could be a few days or even longer.
How can I get my car from the towing company?
Once you know that your car has been towed for whatever reason, it’s time to get it back. You will have to pay the towing provider a fee to release your vehicle, but this can vary depending on where you live. If there was no accident or the authorities were not involved, they usually won’t ask for more than $200. If your car was towed after an accident or suspicions of a crime, expect to pay more than that! In some cases, you might have to pay around $800 to get it back. Once you’ve paid the fee and all release forms are signed, make sure not to leave until you’re confident everything is in order. If you have to pay a fee, make sure it’s listed on the invoice given to you by the tow company. It should also be clear if anything has been damaged in your car or not! If everything looks good and is properly signed, they will return the keys to the vehicle owner and let you go home safe and sound.
How long is the tow company allowed to keep my car?
The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems. If your car broke down somewhere and you couldn’t move it, towing companies can legally keep your vehicle for 24 hours. This only applies if they are called by someone else, though – do NOT call a tow truck on yourself! Once the tow truck drivers arrive, they will give you a 24-hour notice. Failure to remove your car within the stated period allows the tow truck driver to take it back home with them for storage purposes.
If your vehicle was towed after an accident or suspicions of illegal activity, expect it to stay much longer than 24 hours! It can range anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on what the authorities need from your vehicle. In some cases, they might even hold onto it until their investigation is complete, which could be months!
If you’re not sure when or how long your car will be gone, be sure to contact the towing company and find out more information. You never know when you might need to get your car back, so it’s vital to know if there are any delays.
What happens if I don’t pay my towing bill?
If you don’t pay your towing bill, the tow truck company will probably take legal action against you. This could mean taking you to court for a tow hearing or putting a lien on your car for repossession. If they do this, there’s nothing else that you can do except wait until the case is over (it usually takes around a month). You also have the option to pay off the debt beforehand, but this usually involves paying more than what you owe since they are taking legal action against you. This is why it’s essential to know how much your bill will be before choosing the option! It’s not something worth doing if you don’t have the cash for it.
Can a towing company sell my car?
If you fail to claim your towed vehicle, tow companies might dispose of it to recover the towing and storage charges. This is generally done at an auction to retrieve the claim. It can happen regardless of whether or not there was an accident involved, but it will depend on where you live since some states have different rules for these situations! This usually happens if you ignore any notices sent to you or do not pay your bill within a month’s time frame.
Need A Breakdown Service?
Whenever you need a towing service, don’t hesitate to contact Elite Service Recovery and Towing. Our towing company in Sulphur LA has been providing emergency services to local residents for more than a decade. Give us a call, and let us help you!