Quick Answer: When police order a tow from an accident scene, expect $100-300 for the tow plus daily storage fees of $20-50. You need the police report number, tow receipt, and storage documentation for your insurance claim. The towing company is chosen by police, not you.
What To Do
Get the police report number immediately from the responding officer before your car gets towed. This number is the backbone of your insurance claim. Without it, your insurer has no way to verify the incident was an official accident versus a breakdown. Officers will often give you a card or write it on the back of their card. If they haven’t issued the full report yet, ask for the incident number, which is assigned on the spot.
Ask the officer which tow company they’re calling and get the company name and phone number. Police departments rotate through approved vendor lists, so you have no say in the selection. However, you are entitled to know who is taking your vehicle. Write it down or photograph the tow truck’s signage.
Request all paperwork from the tow truck driver including the tow authorization, receipt, and storage facility address. Some drivers will try to hand you only a basic receipt. Ask specifically for the tow authorization form, which documents the condition of the vehicle before it was loaded. This protects you if any new damage appears during transport.
Take photos of your vehicle before it gets loaded if possible, showing any damage and the accident scene. Capture every panel, the undercarriage if accessible, and the interior through the windows. Time-stamp everything. These photos become critical if a dispute arises over pre-existing versus transport damage.
Contact your insurance company within 24 hours with the police report number, tow company details, and storage location. Storage fees start accumulating from the moment the vehicle is dropped, including weekends and holidays. Every day you delay costs you money, and some insurers will only reimburse fees incurred after the claim is opened.
Call the tow company directly to understand their storage fees and payment requirements for vehicle release. Ask specifically whether they accept credit cards, whether after-hours release is available, and whether there is a gate fee added on top of the daily storage rate. Some yards charge an additional $25-75 lien or administrative fee just to open your file.
Get your personal items from the vehicle before it leaves the scene if the officer allows access. Child car seats, prescription medications, work equipment, and wallets should come out immediately. Once the car is in a locked yard, retrieving personal property often requires a scheduled appointment and sometimes a small access fee.
Photo: Pexels
What It Might Cost
Towing fees: $100-300 depending on distance and vehicle size. Larger trucks, SUVs, or all-wheel-drive vehicles that require flatbed transport rather than a standard hook-and-chain rig will land closer to the top of that range. Rural tows covering 30 or more miles can push past $300.
Storage fees: $20-50 per day starting immediately. In dense urban areas with high-demand impound lots, $50 per day is common. A vehicle sitting unclaimed for a week can add $350 in storage alone before you factor in the tow itself.
Administrative fees: $50-100 for paperwork processing. This covers lien searches, notification letters, and release documentation. Some states cap these fees by law, so it is worth checking your state’s towing regulations if the number seems inflated.
Most insurance policies cover accident-related towing if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. If the other driver caused the accident, their insurance should cover all towing and storage costs. Document everything in writing and follow up by email so you have a paper trail if reimbursement is disputed.
Common Questions
Q: Can I choose my own tow company when police call a tow from an accident scene? A: No. When an officer orders a tow, they use their department’s approved rotation list and you cannot override that choice at the scene. You can arrange a secondary tow to a shop of your preference after the vehicle is released from the impound yard, at your own expense.
Q: How long do I have before the tow yard can sell or auction my vehicle? A: It varies by state, but most states require the yard to notify the registered owner and lienholder within 3-10 days and then wait 15-30 days before initiating a lien sale. Check your state’s motor vehicle or consumer protection statutes for the exact timeline, and act quickly because fees keep growing every day the car sits.
Q: What if the tow company damaged my car during transport? A: File a written damage claim with the tow company immediately and send a copy to your insurance company. The photos you took at the scene before loading are your evidence. Tow companies carry cargo liability insurance, and legitimate operators will have a claims process. If they refuse to engage, your own insurer can subrogate the claim against them.
Photo: Pexels
Stay Safe
- Never argue with police about their tow company choice
- Don’t leave valuables in the vehicle
- Keep all receipts and documentation
- Ask about after-hours vehicle release policies
- Get contact information for the storage facility manager
Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.