You already paid for the tow with your car. So why does the bill keep growing every single day your vehicle sits in the tow yard?
Welcome to one of the nastiest surprises of having a vehicle impounded: the tow may happen once, but storage charges can keep piling up daily.
In many situations, yes, a towing or impound facility can charge a daily storage fee. Exactly what it can charge, when those charges begin, and what other fees are permitted depends on state and local law, the circumstances of the tow, and sometimes whether law enforcement ordered the vehicle removed. But one thing is nearly universal from the vehicle owner's perspective: ignoring an impounded vehicle rarely makes the problem cheaper.
The Tow Bill Isn't Just The Tow
When people hear that their vehicle has been impounded, they often focus on the initial towing charge. That's understandable. Unfortunately, that may only be the opening act. Once the vehicle arrives at the storage facility, daily storage charges may begin accumulating.
Depending on the situation and jurisdiction, the final amount could also include administrative fees, notification expenses, after-hours charges, lien-related costs or other legally permitted charges.
That means a vehicle worth only a few thousand dollars can suddenly be sitting behind a bill that's eating into its value day after day. And the tow yard isn't exactly running a free parking promotion.
Why Waiting Can Get Expensive Fast
Example Daily Storage Fee* |
After 5 Days |
After 10 Days |
After 20 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
$35/day |
$175 |
$350 |
$700 |
$50/day |
$250 |
$500 |
$1,000 |
$75/day |
$375 |
$750 |
$1,500 |
*Examples are for illustration only. Actual towing, storage and other permitted charges vary by location, facility and circumstances.
Those numbers don't include the original tow or other possible charges. That's why an impounded vehicle can quickly turn into a financial decision rather than simply a question of, "How do I get my car back?"
When Getting It Back Doesn't Make Financial Sense
This is where owners sometimes make an expensive mistake. They automatically assume they have to pay whatever it takes to retrieve the vehicle.
But what if it's an older car? What if it's damaged, wrecked, mechanically troubled or worth less than you thought? What if you already wanted to sell it? Spending $1,000, $1,500 or more recovering a vehicle doesn't necessarily make sense just because you own it.
Before throwing money at the problem, figure out what the vehicle is actually worth in its current condition and current location.
That's especially important because waiting for payday, waiting to "figure something out," or simply avoiding the situation can allow additional storage charges to accumulate.
Before You Pay The Tow Yard, Contact OUTPOUND
This is exactly where OUTPOUND may be able to help.
If your vehicle is sitting in an impound or tow yard and you're wondering whether it's worth paying to recover it, contact our team before the accumulating fees make the decision for you.
Depending on the vehicle, its condition, location, ownership documentation, outstanding charges and the facility's requirements, there may be another option besides paying to retrieve a vehicle you don't even want anymore.
The biggest mistake may not be getting towed. It may be waiting too long afterward.
Your vehicle is sitting there.
The bill probably isn't.
Contact OUTPOUND.com and find out what options may be available before another day, and potentially another storage charge is added to the problem.
