How to deal with the storage / tow yard
You just wrecked your car… your vehicle is blocking traffic, leaking fluids everywhere and the rubberneckers are glaring at you - some honking as they steer around accident debris and speed off. You wish you could do the same, but you have no choice but to wait for the police to come and sort things out. You are now a victim of “the process” and have no control over what happens next.
Upon arrival at the scene, the police officer will call for medical assistance (if necessary) and dispatch tow equipment to clear all vehicles from the roadway. He is going to follow procedure which means the towing company is pre-selected by the jurisdiction over that thoroughfare at the scene of the accident.
The police do not care about who picks up your car, where it is towed or how much it costs. One thing for certain, they are not going to wait for AAA and your tow bill will be 3 to 4 times what you would normally pay, in fact, the rates may not even be regulated. In some cities the average tow & storage bill is close to $1,000.
Unscrupulous impound yards and body shops often pay tow truck drivers a bounty to deliver them wrecked cars. Once the car is there the impound yard or body shop begins charging daily storage - anywhere from $20 - $75 per day plus an administrative fee (blue sky for services not rendered). We have seen administrative fees as high as $175 tacked on to tow & storage bills which in many jurisdictions is illegal!
All these charges can build quickly and some yards will demand “cash only” to get your vehicle released. In some cities like Chicago, this is quite common. If you can't pay, they demand the title for your vehicle!
Body shops will often waive or reduce this charge if you repair the vehicle at their facility. Seems like a nice gesture, right? Yes and no. If the body shop is reputable and performs quality repairs, you should be fine. If not, they will hold the storage and tow charges over your head to bully you into repairing the car there, even if you don't feel comfortable with the shop.
You may not even feel comfortable repairing the car. You just want to sell it and get a new vehicle. If this is the case, you must act quickly to stop the storage charges. The faster you can get your car out of storage, the more you save –especially if your insurance company wont cover these costs. DamageMAX will buy your car, pay off the storage/tow charges and you keep the insurance check. We can't help you if you don't call though. The faster you call us, the more money that will be in your pocket.
It’s your right not to repair your vehicle. You may request the settlement check and elect not to repair your vehicle. If you wrecked your car and simply don't feel comfortable driving the car again, please consider selling your damaged vehicle to DamageMAX. DamageMAX will buy your wreck and you keep the insurance check! Thought you could not have your cake and eat it too? Not so with DamageMAX !
DamageMAX will buy your wreck and you keep the insurance check!
DamageMAX pays MAXimum value for your Damaged vehicle
Call 888-629-2137 or email info@damagemax.com for an instant quote!
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