5 min read

How to Get a Towed Car Back without Paying: Simple Ways

John avatar by John C. Baldwin
5 min read
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When you see the «tow away» sign, it is often too late. Your car has been towed, and you are left with a hefty bill. But what if you could get your car back without paying? EpicVIN team provides some tips on how to do just that.

What happens when the car will tow?

The first step is to call the towing company and find out where your car is. This information should be on the sign where your car was towed. Once you have the address, go to the location and look for your car. If it is not there, it may have been impounded. In this case, you will need to pay a fee to get your car released.

Signs to know if your car did tow

There are a few signs that you can look for to see if your car has been towed:

- the «tow away» sign in the spot where you parked

- a space in the parking lot or on the street where you parked

- a notice on your windshield from the towing company with their contact information

- a note from a neighbor or passersby telling you that your car was towed.

If you see any of these signs, your car has likely been towed. Calm down and go to look for it. If all else fails, check with local law enforcement as they may know who towed your vehicle and where it is located. Once you have found out where your vehicle is being held, continue reading for tips on how to get it back without paying!

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How to get a towed car back without paying?

It is possible to retrieve a towed vehicle without paying the fees associated with it, but it will take some effort on your part. The first step is to call the tow truck company and ask for the release paperwork. This paperwork will list all of the fees associated with retrieving your vehicle. Do not pay these fees over the phone! Next, go down to where your vehicle is being held and request that they release it to you without payment. They may try to tell you that this isn’t possible or that they cannot release the vehicle without payment, but stand firm! If they still refuse, ask them who their manager is and request to speak with them about getting your vehicle released without paying any fees.

The first thing you should do is ask to speak to the manager. If the manager isn’t available, ask for the contact information of someone who is. Once you have a name and number, call and explain your situation. If you can prove that your car was towed illegally, most impound lots will release your vehicle without charging a fee.

If you can’t prove that your car was towed illegally, you may still be able to get it released by asking for a reduced fee. Many impound lots are willing to negotiate a lower price if you can’t pay the total amount.

You can also try asking for a payment plan.  Some impound lots are willing to work with people who can’t afford to pay the full fee upfront. Finally, remember that tow companies are businesses. If you make a good case for why you shouldn’t have to pay the full fee, they may be willing to waive it or give you a discount. It never hurts to ask!

Useful tips to follow

  • You will require your driver's license and proof of auto insurance to drive your automobile from the lot, regardless of whether your costs are waived. You could also require ownership documentation, such as a vehicle title or registration.
  • Get your automobile from the tow lot as soon as you can by moving quickly. Every day your car is parked on the lot, you'll accrue daily storage fees in addition to the towing price.
  • Get ready to pay any unpaid fines relating to your vehicle. Even if your towing and storage costs are covered, you'll probably need to settle any tickets before you can have your car back.

Conclusion

If you’re ever in the unfortunate situation of having your car towed, don’t despair. There are a few things you can do to get your car back without paying a hefty fee. First, try contacting the towing company and see if they’ll release your car for a lower fee. If that doesn’t work, you can always call the police and file a report. Hopefully, the tips from a service like EpicVIN will help you get your car back without too much trouble.

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