Find a Towing Company After a Car Accident

The Bottom Line

Towing and storage fees after an accident add up faster than most people realize -- $25 to $75 per day in storage alone. Move your vehicle out of storage and into a body shop or your own property as quickly as possible. If police called the tow truck, you may not have had a choice of company, but you always have the right to move your vehicle once it is in storage.

What Happens When Your Car Is Towed After an Accident

If your vehicle cannot be driven from the accident scene, it needs to be towed. How this happens depends on the situation:

If police are on scene: Officers typically call a towing company from their department's rotation list. You may not get to choose the company. The tow truck takes your car to the company's storage lot.

If you call for yourself: If your vehicle is not blocking traffic and police have not called a tow truck, you can call any company you prefer. Call your insurance company's roadside assistance number if you have that coverage.

In either case: Get the tow company's name, phone number, and storage lot address before you leave the scene. You will need this information to retrieve your vehicle and your belongings.

Understanding Towing and Storage Costs

Towing and storage fees are a significant -- and often overlooked -- cost after an accident.

Typical NC Towing Fees

• Standard tow (under 10 miles): $100 to $200
• Standard tow (10-25 miles): $150 to $300
• Heavy-duty tow (trucks, SUVs): $200 to $500+
• After-hours or weekend surcharge: $25 to $75 additional
• Winching (pulling car from ditch): $50 to $150 additional

Storage Fees

• Daily storage rate: $25 to $75 per day
• Fees accrue every day -- including weekends, holidays, and days the lot is closed
• Outdoor storage is cheaper; covered or indoor storage costs more
• Administrative or gate fees may be added when you pick up your vehicle

Your Rights Regarding Towing in NC

North Carolina law provides several protections for vehicle owners:

You Can Move Your Vehicle

You always have the right to move your vehicle from a storage lot to a different location. The towing company cannot refuse to release your vehicle as long as you pay the accumulated charges. If you want to move it to a specific body shop, some body shops will arrange the transfer for you.

You Can Retrieve Personal Belongings

Towing companies must allow you to retrieve personal property from your vehicle during normal business hours. They cannot charge you an access fee just to get your belongings. However, they can require you to come during business hours and may not allow unsupervised access.

Fee Limitations

North Carolina does not have a statewide cap on towing or storage fees for non-consensual private property tows, but many municipalities have their own rate schedules for police rotation tows. If you believe fees are unreasonable, ask for an itemized receipt and contact your local consumer protection office.

Who Pays for Towing?

Determining who pays depends on fault and your insurance coverage:

If the other driver was at fault:

• Their liability insurance should reimburse your towing and storage costs
• You may need to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement
• Include these costs in your property damage claim

If you were at fault:

• Your collision coverage (if you have it) should cover towing
• You pay the deductible
• If you only carry liability insurance, you pay out of pocket

Regardless of fault:

• Roadside assistance coverage on your policy may pay for the initial tow
• Keep all receipts and documentation

Tips to Minimize Towing and Storage Costs

1. Move your car quickly -- Every day it sits costs you money. Call your insurance company the same day and ask them to inspect the vehicle as soon as possible.
2. Tow directly to a body shop -- If you can choose your tow destination, have the car taken directly to a body shop rather than a storage lot. Most shops do not charge storage during the repair process.
3. Know the storage lot's hours -- If you need to retrieve your vehicle, know when the lot is open to avoid paying extra days.
4. Ask about fee schedules upfront -- Before authorizing a tow, ask about the towing fee, storage rate, and any additional charges.
5. Get an itemized receipt -- When you pay, get a detailed receipt showing each charge. You will need this for insurance reimbursement.

Find a Towing Company Near You

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for towing after a car accident in NC?▾

If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay your towing costs. If you were at fault, your collision coverage (if you have it) typically covers towing, or you may need to pay out of pocket. Many auto insurance policies also include optional roadside assistance coverage that pays for towing regardless of fault. Keep your towing receipt -- you will need it to file a reimbursement claim. If police called the tow truck (a rotation tow), you are still responsible for payment upfront and must seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurer.

Can I choose my own tow truck after an accident in NC?▾

It depends on the situation. If you are able to call for a tow yourself before police arrive, you can choose any towing company you want. However, if police are on scene and your vehicle is blocking traffic or creating a hazard, they will typically call a tow truck from their rotation list, and you may not get a choice. Once your vehicle is in storage, you always have the right to move it to a different location -- your preferred body shop or a storage facility with lower rates. Just be aware that moving the vehicle may incur an additional towing fee.

How much do towing and storage fees cost in NC?▾

Towing fees in North Carolina typically range from $100 to $300 for a standard passenger vehicle, depending on the distance towed and time of day. Heavy-duty towing for trucks or SUVs costs more. Storage fees range from $25 to $75 per day, and they begin accruing immediately -- including weekends and holidays. These fees add up fast. If your car sits in storage for two weeks at $40 per day, that is $560 in storage alone. Move your vehicle to a body shop or your home as soon as possible to minimize storage charges.

What is a police rotation tow and do I have to accept it?▾

A police rotation tow happens when law enforcement calls a towing company from their pre-approved list to remove vehicles from an accident scene. Police departments maintain these rotation lists of licensed, insured towing companies. If your car is obstructing traffic or poses a safety hazard, you generally must accept the rotation tow -- you cannot hold up traffic while waiting for your preferred company. However, once your vehicle is in storage, you have the right to move it at any time. You are responsible for paying the towing and storage fees charged by the rotation company.

How long can a towing company hold my car in NC?▾

A towing company can hold your vehicle until you pay the towing and storage fees. North Carolina law (G.S. 44A-2) gives tow companies a lien on your vehicle for unpaid charges. If you do not claim your vehicle within 30 days, the towing company can begin the process of selling it at auction. They must first send you written notice by certified mail to your last known address and wait an additional 10 days. To avoid losing your vehicle, retrieve it as soon as possible and dispute any unreasonable charges afterward rather than letting the car sit.