Imagine a typical morning when you are running errands. You finish one appointment and run to the spot where you had parked your car sometime earlier. But you do not find your vehicle and think that perhaps you are at the wrong parking. However, after looking around, to your utter dismay, you find that your car has been towed away. What do you do now?
Here’s an interesting fact– the motor vehicle towing industry in the US had forecasted that its revenue will reach 6.5 billion USD in 2019.
Finding that your car has been towed is a stressful situation to face under any circumstance. It is not something that we are normally prepared for. But even despite your best planning, it might happen in some cases. But, there is no need to fret. There are certain steps that you can take that will help you get back your towed vehicle back with minimum hassles.
In this article, we discuss 5 essential steps to take if you find that your vehicle has been towed. Read on to learn more.
1. Stay Calm and Look For the Reason
Do not panic when you find your car has been towed. Take a few deep breaths and look around for the reason your car got towed ( reasons vary slightly from place to place). Did you miss the “no parking” sign? Or perhaps the time in the parking meter ran out. Keep calm and approach the situation in a level-headed and polite manner.
2. Contact the Police
Make a call to 411 and ask for the number to the local police department or check Tow411. The police will be able to inform you whether your car was actually towed or stolen. They can also help you with the details of the towing company and how to contact them.
Just keep in mind that in some cases, the details of the towing company might be mentioned on signage at the parking zone itself.
3. Keep Documents Ready
Once you get the details of the place from where you can retrieve your car, have the following documents ready-
- driver’s license
- proof of car ownership
- proof of insurance
- vehicle registration
At the same time, you have to consider that your car might have undergone scratches or dents from minor collisions during the towing itself. Keep the details of your preferred repair shop that accepts insurance repairs handy with you at this time.
4. Arrange Required Funds
Check out for the costs that you will need to pay to the towing authority. Some impounds also charge on a per-day basis for each day they have your car. Find out whether they will accept cash, check or card and arrange accordingly.
If you have any pending traffic fines, then the same must be paid off before you get back your car. So account for that as well.
Another factor to keep in mind is that your car might need minor collision repairs after this incident and you may have to set aside some amount for that as well.
5. Get Back Your Car
If you have all the above details in place, the actual retrieval of your car should be a hassle-free process. Present all the required documents to the towing authority and pay the charges as asked. Once you are done with these formalities, your car will be handed back over to you.
Make sure to check for any dents or scratches so that you can get the necessary collision repairs done on time.
How Can We Help You
At Tropical Chevrolet Collision Center, we have over 3 decades of experience in collision repairing. We are a Miami Geico authorized shop that offers insurance repairs as well. With 14 dealerships across the USA, we offer the best quality service and utmost customer satisfaction when it comes to auto repair.
If you find that your vehicle has been damaged from a collision, do not hesitate to call us at (305) 908-5548 to inquire and avail of our services. Alternatively, you can also visit our website and schedule an appointment for your specific requirements.