WRECKER RATES

[LBrown59]

1*Around here, $50 will get you a basic tow within town. I don't know what they charge for mileage if your going a distance and luckily have never had to have a vehicle "recovered".

1*The problem I ran into is the basic tow that AAA and the inurer I had towing coverage with only paid for the basic tow which didn't take care of the distance I need towed so I was always paying allmost all of the tow bill.
If I opted for a shorter tow that they would pay the entire cost of I had to take it to a garage that charged twice as much for repairs as my mechanic does.

I don't know what "private" tows cost now, but probably about the same as if the police have one towed. In Dallas, there is currently a $95 towing fee, and
1*if a vehicle is impounded, there's a $20 impound fee, and $20 a day storage fees. The first of the year (in other words, in the last 4 days)
2*Dallas has started towing uninsured vehicles they stop for traffic violations,
3*so then proof of insurance is required to retrieve the vehicle from the pound.

1*I never could justify impound fees.
If they are going to tow my vehicle they can tow it to here.
2*
3*This sucks is senseless and won't work in the long run.
If it were my veh I'd insure it provide proof of ins. retrieve the veh then call the insurance co and cancel the policy .
So what is the purpose of the requirement to provide proof of insurance to release the veh?

1*Lbrown- is there a reason you asked ?

1*Just wonder how others deal with it and to see how knowing could benefit me or others.

Locally, it's $125 to pull a Massey Ferguson out of a ravine with
1*Moneymaker's semi truck wrecker.
Yes, that really is their name, and no, it wasn't mine.

1*I got lucky on the two tow bills I Got for towing my 2 pick ups friday.
$30 each.
Name of the wrecker co.
Captain Hook Towing.

 

[Bird]

The problem I ran into is the basic tow that AAA and the inurer I had towing coverage with only paid for the basic tow which didn't take care of the distance I need towed

That will probably be true for me, too, if I ever have to have one of mine towed, because I'm only paying for the basic membership. The Primier service provides for towing up to 100 miles, but of course that membership costs more. Since I have, only one time in my life, had a vehicle of mine towed, I figure I've saved enough money to pay for the longer distance towing, if ever needed.

If they are going to tow my vehicle they can tow it to here.

If the police have your vehicle towed in Dallas, that $95 fee charged by all the contract wreckers is to pick it up and deliver it anywhere in the City of Dallas as long as there is someone at the delivery location to pay the fee. If it goes outside the City, the additional fee is negotiable. But if the police are towing it because the driver has no liability insurance, then the driver does not have any options as to where it goes; it's going to the impound lot.

If it were my veh I'd insure it provide proof of ins. retrieve the veh then call the insurance co and cancel the policy .
So what is the purpose of the requirement to provide proof of insurance to release the veh?

Yep, people who buy insurance, pay the first month's premium, then drop the insurance and continue driving with no liability insurance is exactly why they've started the towing policy. And it's not just Dallas; many other cities are doing the same thing. Will it work in the long run? I don't know.

 

[LBrown59]

Yep, people who buy insurance, pay the first month's premium, then drop the insurance and continue driving with no liability insurance is exactly why they've started the towing policy. And it's not just Dallas; many other cities are doing the same thing. Will it work in the long run? I don't know.

Yup:
It's a real problem with no easy answer.
I think the mandatory insurance laws are more of a contributor to the problem than a solution.

L B

 

[LRH]

In my area most are $50-70, with a few miles thrown in before incurring mileage fees, but I know a few, and can usually get it done for less, and could have at times had it done gratis, but I insist on paying my friends something with the cost of diesel and more so todays business/tow vehicle insurance cost. The one guy with a wrecker under an old shed, along with his bro in law helping sometimes is just about gone. Any in this area that want to do county/city tows, must have an 8' fence, topped with constantine/concertina wire vs the 0 or 3 strand wire, at least 3 acres graded level, with packed gravel (57's), then topped with gravel dust. Then it better have silt fences etc, and don't let the EPA see any fluids on the ground. They must be staffed 24/7/265 vs drivers taking a truck home, even though they don't release vehicles except during normal business hours. No wonder it cost so much for a basic tow, but there must be some money somewhere as 2 locals have built a new place (building/shop/office) I guestimate to 300,00+ ft/sq with all brick facade, standing seam roof, stamped concrete in a faux cobblestone for the customer drive. So there is money in it , or the banks are hoping there is.