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Why Car Towing Can Be Expensive and How to Avoid Paying Them

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Car towing isn't always convenient. Sometimes, you can't find where you parked, and your car is towed away.

Car towing isn't always convenient. Sometimes, you can't find where you parked, and your car is towed away. You may have missed a "no parking" sign, parked in a loading zone, or misunderstood whether you could use the spot for public parking. Whatever the reason, towed cars can cost you a lot of money. Listed below are some common reasons for requiring car towing service.

Convenience

If you drive a vehicle, you'll likely have to deal with the inconvenience of having to tow your car. While roadside packages can sometimes fix some minor problems, more complex problems require the services of a mechanic equipped with the appropriate tools and a full garage. Furthermore, when a car is new, it may not be legal to drive until it has been insured and registered with the local DMV. Regardless of the reason, towing your car is a much safer alternative to driving it yourself.

Legality

The legality of car towing varies from state to state, but some states have stronger protections than others. In Illinois, for example, car owners are guaranteed their vehicle is not parked illegally. In Iowa and Mississippi, towing laws are much weaker, but Illinois' law protects car owners more than most. In New Mexico, the laws are even weaker. But there is always the chance that a tow truck will take your car anyway.

Charges

While you may be able to get a tow truck without an out-of-pocket charge, you can still face hefty expenses for the services. If you have an insurance policy, it will likely cover these costs if you are involved in an accident. If your vehicle breaks down on the highway, however, you may need to pay for the costs yourself. Here are some of the reasons why towing can be expensive and how to avoid paying them.

Hook-up fees

Hook-up fees for car towing can vary greatly. Most towing services charge a minimum hook-up fee of $35 or more and charge a flat rate per mile after that. These fees can range anywhere from $35 to $100. To find out more about hook-up fees, visit the website of your car insurance company. They may even include a towing service within your coverage. If not, find out what you should expect before deciding on a company.

Per-mile prices

Car towing per-mile prices depend on a few factors, including where you are located, the difficulty of the tow, and whether it's urgent. According to J.D. Power, the national average for towing is $109, with per-mile rates ranging between $2.50 and $7.50. Some towing companies include the first five or seven miles in their hookup fees. Then there's the time they'll spend transporting your car.

Getting a car towed

Getting your car towed may be a necessary part of your road trip. In the case of a car accident, you may be unable to continue your journey and will need to get it towed. Getting a tow service will be necessary, and the process can be stressful, but it is possible to deal with it. You should try to remain calm and polite when the tow truck arrives, and you should contact the police department if you feel that you need to. If your vehicle is not on the street, you can try to locate it online. Some cities have a database of towed cars.

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