How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying | An Expert Guide

How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying

You are getting towed means that your car did impound. The vehicle can be pulled for numerous reasons, like parking in a no-parking zone or speeding. In a busy city, you will find your parked car towed from time to time. You may ask to pay as much as $600 to get your vehicle back. While the tow truck driver will not mind taking extra money from you, this blog outlines the proper ways how to get a towed car back without paying.

Car Towing Laws

How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying

Many different towing laws vary by state, but some states may allow for towing if the vehicle interferes with traffic. For example, in some states, you will need the prior consent of the property owner or person who posted the tow-away sign on the vehicle before it did tow. If you live in Florida, there are additional costs for illegally parked cars (above and beyond the cost of towing), like storage fees and fines.

What Happens When The Car Will Tow?

When the car did tow, it has taken off the road and parking lot, away from the area of public use. A tow truck must first have a legal reason to do so, as well as a signed authorization from an authorized driver to tow a vehicle. This process can occur by responding to officers or other city officials who did give the authority to remove vehicles from the roadway.

Signs To Know If Your Car Did Tow?

How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying

If your car did tow, there are several signs to watch it. 

  • The first sign is that your car was there, but it is not there anymore. In other words, it did tow. 
  • The second sign is that you have a parking ticket on your car, but no parking meter was near your vehicle. New York City is probably the city where this scam occurs most prevalently. 
  • A third sign is a tow truck nearby, but you did not see it drive away with your car (you were out for a second or two). 
  • The fourth sign is that a friend of yours has had his car towed from the same spot you think your vehicle has been pulled from, even though the place you were parked designated as “no parking.” In this case, your car can probably tow by mistake.

Is It Possible To Get A Towed Car Back Without Paying?

You can get a towed car back without paying if you have the ownership papers and a photo ID proof to support your claim. Even if you do not have the ownership papers, you can still get them back without paying if you are a resident of the same area and have a photo ID.

If the car did register under someone else’s name, you could still get it back without paying, but you will have to show proof of your ownership. 

If your car is licensed and registered under your name, then you can get it back without paying anything. However, if the vehicle is not licensed or registered, you need to pay the fine to get it back. You can go here to learn more about getting a towed car back without paying.

How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying?

How to Get a Towed Car Back Without Paying

The 1st thing you need to know is that towing fees can control by respective states. It will change from one nation to another. It is also pertinent to mention that some states don’t allow towing fees for out-of-state vehicles.

You can file a claim to get your car back when you don’t respond to the towing company within time. Usually, the towing company will charge you a fee to tow your vehicle from there. You can also try talking with the towing company to get the charges waived off.

What Should We Do To Get A Towed Car Back Without Paying?

The recommended steps for getting an illegally towed car back are as follows: 

  • Contact the tow company and inform them that the tow is illegal and demand the release of your vehicle. 
  • Write a letter to the CEO of the tow company explaining that this particular tow was illegal and asking how you can compensate. 
  • File a complaint with the police department if you need assistance in retrieving your car and compensation for damages caused by the tow truck driver in question.
  • You should speak with an officer regarding their vehicle and that it was not adequately tagged by the police when they did tow. If the police feel that the car should retrieve, they will call for a tow truck to come and retrieve it.

How to Prevent a Car from Being Towed?

How to Prevent a Car from Being Towed

The most common way to keep your car from being towed is by placing a parking permit on your dashboard. If the car parks in a designated space for residents of a specific apartment complex, you can also pull up to the curb and put coins in the meter. Parking permits and meters work together to ensure that only cars with tickets or coins can park there without fear of being towed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Best Way To Get A Towed Car Back Without Paying?

  • Using your connections to pass an order to the police. 
  • Calling the tow truck driver and offering to pay him less than what he was supposed to charge. 

What’s The Best Way To Negotiate A Towing Fee With Your Insurance? 

  • I politely ask the tow truck driver what their fee is and offer a price lower than their fee.
  • I threaten to call the police.
  • Get out of my car and argue with the person at the tow truck company.

How to Reduce the Cost of Towing?

  • Have the government subsidize the cost for people who are not insured.
  • Track and publish tow truck prices in a database that anybody can access and use.
  • Require people to buy a certain level of insurance (similar to car insurance).

What Is the Primary Reason Why Towing Is Expensive?

  • The government makes towed companies pay outrageous fees.
  • The truck driver requires expensive training.
  • Towing companies have to pay off the police.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is your right as a citizen of the United States not to pay for a car if it does tow. After all, the only way the tow truck driver can legally take your car away is because you owe them money. If you don’t owe them money, they can’t charge money for their services, and you can avoid paying any additional fees.