Don't Allow Your Vehicle to Be a Victim of a Non-Consensual Tow
November 22, 2021
Have you ever broken down on the side of a major highway, left to get help, and come back only to find your vehicle missing? Knowing that your vehicle was not running and did not leave on its own, you can assume your vehicle was towed. Unfortunately, this is what has probably taken place. You are likely a victim of a non-consensual tow.
What is a non-consensual tow? Read on for more information.
What Is a Non-Consensual Tow?
A non-consensual tow is when a towing company picks up your vehicle without your prior consent or knowledge. Usually authorized by law enforcement, these are typical tows for abandoned vehicles, accident scenes, or cars in no parking zones.
In some areas, law enforcement will tag your broken-down vehicle, giving you 24 to 48
hours to move it before towing it. Once your time is up, a tow company picks up the car and takes it to their storage lot. If law enforcement feels your vehicle poses a hazard where it is, they can pick it up quicker.
Parking your wrecked or non-working vehicle on the street in front of your house may still not protect you from a non-consensual tow. Many cities have local ordinances limiting the amount of time your car can park there. This time frame may be as short as 72
hours.
Where Will Your Vehicle Go?
One of the most significant hurdles with a non-consensual tow is figuring out who towed your vehicle and where it is. If you broke down on the side of a major highway, several different law enforcement agencies might have ordered the tow. These include the:
- Highway patrol
- Local police department
- Local sheriff's department
Depending on which agency seizes control of your vehicle and orders its tow will often depend on which towing agency law enforcement contacts. Most law enforcement agencies have tow companies on a contract that they use on a rotating basis.
The contracted tow company will then pick up your vehicle and tow it to their local storage yard. Depending on who picks it up will determine where your vehicle ends up.
The tow company will then hold your vehicle on the lot until they receive payment or receive authorization to release the vehicle. If your vehicle stays there without being claimed, the tow company can place a mechanic's lien on your vehicle and eventually auction it off.
How Much Will A Non-Consensual Tow Cost?
A non-consensual tow can get expensive quickly. In Indiana, a tow company can charge a tow fee of $150.00. Unfortunately, they can tack on other fees for other services they state they render at the time of your tow. Extra fees may include extra personnel or specialized equipment. An example of this would be an additional dolly or winch fee.
Once your vehicle goes to the storage yard, you can then receive a charge of $30 per day for storage. Do not allow your vehicle to be a victim of a non-consensual tow. Always know who to call when you find yourself on the side of the road.
Hix Wrecker Service
will come and get you no matter where you are. We possess a wide range of tow vehicles and can move any size vehicle you own. Give us a call and your consent, and we will be on our way to take your vehicle where it needs to go. We look forward to helping you with all your towing needs. We are available 24/7 so that you never have to leave your car unattended. Please let us know how we can assist you today.
With roadside assistance, you have two options: a tow truck or a wrecker. Tow trucks and wreckers differ, so understand the differences here.
Different situations call for different types of towing services. Read this blog to understand when you need different forms of towing.
Manage your safety when waiting for a late-night towing service with the following safety tips. Read on to learn more about how to protect yourself.
There are some things you can do to help make the towing process easier for both you and the tow driver. Read on to learn more helpful tips and practices.
Auto breakdowns happen a lot. When that happens, you need a towing company. Discover four reasons why this is a good choice to make.
Car breakdowns are stressful and a major inconvenience, especially if it happens at night. Read on for helpful tips to prevent a vehicle breakdown.
Extreme heat can make your car more vulnerable to critical breakdowns that require a towing service. Discover four hot-weather issues that can do just that.
Your modern car likely has a check engine light. When it lights up, you may need to call a tow company immediately. Or, you may be able to get to a repair shop on your own. Either way, the check engine light indicates a problem that needs prompt attention. The check engine light usually lights up or flashes when one of your sensors detects a problem with certain parts of your engine. Here are some dos and don'ts when you're on the road and you see your check engine light come on. Do Pay Attention to the Light When the check engine light illuminates, don't ignore it. Your car may still run fine, and you may not feel anything has changed. However, that doesn't mean nothing is wrong. For example, if your light has come on simply because you have a bad oxygen sensor, that faulty part could risk damage to your catalytic converter. A catalytic converter costs much more to replace than an oxygen sensor. Do Pull Over if Needed Much of the time, you won't need to pull over immediately if your check engine light comes on. However, if you get additional warning signs, like an oil light indicator or battery signal, you may need to stop driving as soon as possible. Some manufacturers make their check engine lights different colors or have them flash to indicate serious problems. If this is the case with your car, you should heed the warning. Do Check for Simple Solutions Sometimes, the check engine light comes on for small, easily fixable things. For example, if your gas cap is loose or missing, the light may come on. Pull off the highway and check for small things like a loose gas cap as soon as the light comes on. Do Have Your Car Diagnosed If you work on your own car, don't do any work until you have a proper diagnosis. Many mechanics, and some auto parts shops, will diagnose your car with a hand-held scanner. Newer cars will give a specific code that will tell the mechanic exactly which part or circuit needs repair. This tool gives you more information about the seriousness of your problem. Don't Panic Many people panic when they see their check engine light come on. However, a check engine light is rarely a life-threatening situation. You should be able to pull over safely within a reasonable time. Just don't drive your car for too long if your light flashes or shows additional warning signs. The worst that is likely to happen is that you'll damage expensive parts. Don't Skimp on Repairs Just because your check engine light isn't tied to something serious doesn't mean you can forgo repairing the problem. Some people forgo the repair if the car otherwise runs fine. In addition to the risk of further engine or exhaust damage, however, your car may put out more pollution. If you need an emissions inspection for your vehicle, an active check engine light will immediately cause you to fail the test. Don't Drive Too Much Even if your car is drivable, limit driving it as much as possible until you have it repaired. The more you drive, the more chance a minor issue will become a bigger one. A small problem like a bad spark plug can turn into a more serious exhaust or emission issue down the road. Drive too much, and you could end up with a problem that may leave you inconveniently stranded. Most of the time, the check engine light won't leave you stranded. However, for those rare cases when you have a serious problem, you may need a tow truck to take you to the next repair shop. Hix Wrecker Service can help you if you are unable to drive to a repair shop or back to your home. If you do your own repairs, we can help you find parts as well. Call us anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if you need a tow.
Learn how to be prepared for what to do if your RV breaks down during your travels so that you and your passengers safe and reach your destination.
Along with checking your car's battery, oil, and wiper blades, make sure to prioritize your tires. Follow these steps to get ready for winter driving.
