Vehicle Impound After Car Accident: Who Pays and How to Recover Towing & Storage Fees

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

Vehicle impound after car accident can feel like a second collision—fast, confusing, and expensive. If you’re staring at a tow slip and daily storage charges, this guide explains who pays impound fees crash, how towing and storage fees work in California, and step‑by‑step actions to recover or dispute what you’ve been billed.

Key Takeaways

• In California, the registered owner usually pays the tow and storage up front to retrieve the car, then seeks reimbursement if another driver is at fault.
• Typical fees include a tow charge, daily storage, and sometimes a city administrative fee; check municipal caps and compare bills to posted rates.
• Reasonable recovery steps: get the police report, request an itemized tow/storage ledger, submit receipts to insurers, and dispute overcharges promptly.
• For a tow truck dispute after accident, demand documentation of authorization and an itemized bill; escalate through city regulators or small claims if needed.
• DUI or arrest-related impounds may be held longer and are often not covered by insurance; city-specific rules apply.

Purpose and search intent

This guide explains who pays, how towing and storage fees operate, California specifics, and concrete steps to recover or dispute charges. It also addresses who pays impound fees crash and compares typical towing charges auto accident California. This is written for California drivers but includes general steps for other states.

Quick definitions and context

When we talk about a vehicle impound after car accident, we mean more than a routine tow. An impound after a crash is when police/authority or an authorized private party orders your vehicle to be towed and held for reasons beyond routine towing—for example, safety or undrivable condition, an arrest (like DUI), blocking traffic, evidence retention, or an abandoned vehicle. In contrast, routine towing moves illegally parked or disabled vehicles that aren’t being held for evidence or law enforcement reasons.

Common reasons your car may be impounded after a crash include:

• Unsafe/undrivable vehicle — removed to protect public safety and clear hazards.
• Driver arrested (DUI) — held for investigation or until authorized to release; some jurisdictions allow up to around 30 days on a hold.
• Blocking traffic/public right-of-way — immediate removal to keep roadways safe.
• Evidence retention — the vehicle is held while police investigate a collision or related offense.
• Abandoned vehicle at the scene — treated as abandoned under local ordinance and impounded accordingly.

Typical causes and fees in California are outlined on municipal pages, such as the City of Fullerton’s vehicle impound and fee guidance, which also explains releases and administrative charges. Local rules matter: fee caps and release steps are often set by city ordinance.

Towing charges auto accident California: What to expect

Costs vary by city and contract, but these examples are common benchmarks:

• Towing charge: $190–$300+ per tow in the Los Angeles area based on Official Police Garage posted rates (OPGLA fee schedule).
• Daily storage: $40–$70 per day is common (also reflected in OPGLA storage rates).
• Administrative/processing fees: $70–$300+ depending on the jurisdiction; for examples, see Fullerton’s impound information (Fullerton PD) and the City of San José’s public safety fees.

Many cities publish their own rules, caps, and complaint processes, like Ventura’s vehicle impounds page and Richmond’s impound FAQ. You should compare your bill to these posted rates and keep your receipts for storage fees car crash compensation claims.

Who pays impound fees crash?

Short answer: In many California jurisdictions, the registered owner must pay the towing and storage up front to retrieve the vehicle—even if they were not at fault. After release, the owner can seek reimbursement from the at‑fault driver’s insurer or through their own coverages. City guidance reflects this across pages such as those for Fullerton, Cathedral City, and Richmond.

• Registered owner pays up front for release—regardless of fault. This is the rule of thumb in many California cities and on police-authorized impounds. After you pay, you may pursue reimbursement. See city guidance in Fullerton, Cathedral City, and Richmond for how releases work.
• At-fault driver scenario. If the other driver is liable, their property damage liability coverage typically reimburses towing and reasonable storage as part of your property claim. That means you pay the yard to get your car, then submit receipts for storage fees car crash compensation to the at‑fault insurer.
• Not-at-fault/victim scenario. You still usually pay up front to retrieve your vehicle, then file a reimbursement claim with the at‑fault driver’s insurer. If needed, use your collision coverage (deductible may apply) or a towing/roadside add‑on for immediate relief.
• Police‑authorized impound vs private‑property tow. For police-authorized impounds, fees and release steps are set by city policy and must be paid to release the car (see Ventura and Fullerton). For private-property tows, the owner typically pays the tow company and then seeks reimbursement if another driver is liable; check local laws and any property owner authorization (see Cathedral City vehicle release).
• DUI/arrest impound special rules. In many California jurisdictions, impounds related to arrests (e.g., DUI) are charged to the owner and insurance often will not cover those fees; vehicles may be held longer (sometimes up to ~30 days). See city guidance in Fullerton and Cathedral City.

Mini‑case examples to make it real

• Example A: At-fault driver pays. Driver A rear-ends Driver B at an intersection. Police authorize a tow; B’s car is undrivable. B pays $250 for tow + $55/day storage for 5 days. Documents: police report, tow invoice, itemized storage ledger, photos. Timeline: Day 1: retrieve car; Day 2: open claim with A’s insurer; Day 7–14: submit receipts; Day 30: insurer reimburses $525 (tow + storage) as part of property damage. If delays persist, B follows up in writing and, if needed, files a property damage claim in small claims court.
• Example B: Not at fault; using your insurance first. Hit in a parking lot and the other driver won’t respond. You pay the yard to release the car and submit the tow/storage bill under your collision coverage (deductible applies). Your insurer pays and then pursues subrogation against the other driver’s insurer; once recovered, you may get your deductible back.
• Example C: DUI hold. Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after a solo crash. The vehicle is held under a legal hold for up to ~30 days; the owner is responsible for all fees per local policy (e.g., Cathedral City). Insurance often excludes these impound/storage costs.

Documents you will almost always need: police report number, tow invoice, itemized storage ledger with dates and rates, photos of the vehicle and posted fee schedules, and proof of ownership and ID. To speed reimbursement and protect your broader claim, consider reviewing our comprehensive overview of car accident injury claims and how property damage fits into the claim process.

Insurance coverage and compensation

Which insurance covers towing & storage?

• Liability (other party’s property damage coverage): If you were not at fault, the other driver’s property damage liability should reimburse reasonable towing/storage once liability is accepted. You may need to pay up front and submit receipts for storage fees car crash compensation.
• Collision coverage: Covers your vehicle damage and typically reasonable towing/storage regardless of fault; a deductible may apply.
• Roadside/towing add‑on: May pay basic towing. Some policies exclude police impounds or extended storage—check the policy language.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage (UM/UIM PD): May apply if the at‑fault driver has no or insufficient coverage.

Process steps (follow these verbatim):

• 1) Call your insurer immediately and open a claim.
• 2) Provide the police report number and tow yard name.
• 3) Submit all receipts: tow invoice, itemized storage ledger, and photos.
• 4) Ask your insurer whether they will advance funds or require reimbursement after settlement.
• 5) If insurer pays, they may pursue subrogation against the at‑fault insurer.

For California-specific guidance on policies and storage-related issues, see the California Bureau of Automotive Repair’s storage practices resource, which also helps consumers understand disputes around “reasonable” charges. To better frame your overall claim, you can also review how insurers evaluate and negotiate property and injury claims with a car accident insurance claim lawyer.

Storage fees car crash compensation: How to claim

Always submit clear, dated documentation. Request an itemized storage ledger from the tow yard showing daily charges and dates (not just a lump sum). Provide the police report number and the insurer’s claim number on each document you send. If you receive pushback or a low offer, consider strengthening your packet with a repair estimate, objective city rate caps (like OPGLA posted rates), and a short narrative explaining delays outside your control, such as wait times for appraisal or inspection—a common friction point in the car crash compensation claims process.

How to recover towing and storage fees

1. Obtain the police report—include report/case number. See Richmond’s impound FAQ for how police authorizations and releases often work.
2. Get the tow invoice and request a dated, itemized storage ledger from the tow yard showing daily charges and dates.
3. Photograph the vehicle in the lot (if allowed), the tow truck, posted fee schedules, and all receipts to preserve proof of rates and services.
4. Immediately contact your insurer and the at‑fault driver’s insurer; submit receipts, the police report number, and any repair/total-loss documentation.
5. Prepare a reimbursement packet: police report, tow invoice, storage ledger, photos, repair estimate, and a short timeline of events (dates of tow, first insurer contact, inspection, and release).
6. If denied by insurer: file an internal appeal, submit additional evidence, then send a demand letter to the at‑fault driver/insurer (use the template below). You can also consult our detailed guide on crafting an effective auto accident demand letter.
7. If still unresolved: file a small claims court action—collect your evidence, calculate damages (tow + storage + any additional costs), prepare your affidavit/timeline, serve the defendant, and appear with originals and copies.

Compare and calculate reasonable rates

Compare charges to municipal maximums. Many California cities publish caps or schedules. If your bill exceeds posted caps, document the discrepancy and include screenshots/links to the municipality’s published rates and pages like OPGLA official rates, Fullerton PD’s impound information, and Ventura’s vehicle impounds. If you’ve been stuck waiting for an appraisal or a total-loss decision, document the dates and your call/email logs—this helps establish that storage accrued for reasons outside your control, a point that can support reimbursement in your auto accident legal help strategy.

Tow truck dispute after accident: Step‑by‑step

1. Request written documentation of who authorized the tow (police case number or private property owner’s written authorization). Verify using municipal pages like Fullerton’s impound info.
2. Demand an itemized bill and proof of services (dates, times, driver name, signature, photographs, and posted rates). If the yard refuses, note the denial and keep written records.
3. Contact the tow company’s billing department in writing; keep copies of calls, emails, and names. Use the script below to ask for an itemized invoice and posted fee schedule for towing charges auto accident California.
4. Ask the police department that authorized the tow to verify authorization and the applicable fee schedule/maximums for the zone/time of day.
5. File a complaint with the municipal towing regulator or consumer protection office if fees appear excessive or undocumented. Check these California pages: Fullerton, Cathedral City, Ventura, OPGLA, and Richmond.
6. If unresolved, pursue small claims court for a refund of overcharges or for damages caused by prolonged withholding/auction.

Negotiation tactics and temporary solutions

• Request a temporary release or authorize transfer to a repair shop to stop storage accrual; get that agreement in writing to avoid disputes later.
• Offer a prompt-pay discount: negotiate a reduced fee in exchange for immediate release and settlement of the towing/storage invoice.
• If insurers are delaying, provide written confirmation of the claim number and ask the tow yard if they will accept direct payment from the insurer or defer part of the storage pending liability decisions.

For deeper property claims guidance, see our step-by-step auto accident claim filing guide and how to leverage a California police report to support cost recovery.

Immediate checklist to reduce fees and protect your rights

• At the scene (0–24 hours): Record officer name, badge, report number, and the reason the vehicle was towed. Photograph the scene and vehicle (plates, VIN if visible). Write down tow company name, driver name, and impound lot location. This documentation supports a vehicle impound after car accident reimbursement claim and helps prove who pays impound fees crash in your case.
• Within 24–48 hours: Contact your insurer, retrieve personal property from the vehicle, request release authorization if the insurer will advance payment, and request an itemized invoice and storage ledger from the tow yard—get it in writing or email. These steps are essential for storage fees car crash compensation and disputing towing charges auto accident California claims.
• Keep everything: Receipts, emails, photos, and the police report are your evidence. Organize them in a single folder to support insurer review or a small claims action.

Sample documents and templates

Sample demand letter for towing/storage reimbursement

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

[Claim Adjuster or At-Fault Driver’s Name]
[Insurance Company/Address]

RE: Reimbursement Request for Towing and Storage Fees, Claim #[XXXXX], Accident Date: [XX/XX/2025]

Dear [Recipient],

I am seeking reimbursement for $[total] paid for towing and storage after the accident on [date] involving [vehicle]. Attached are the tow invoice, storage ledger, police report, and photos. Please confirm coverage and expedite reimbursement.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This letter is designed to support storage fees car crash compensation and present a clear request addressing who pays impound fees crash in your situation. For additional tips on structure and tone, see our detailed demand letter guide.

Short scripts for requesting documentation

Tow company script: “Hello, my vehicle was impounded after a crash on [date]. Please provide, in writing, who authorized the tow (police case number or private property authorization), a dated itemized invoice, and your posted fee schedule. My vehicle is VIN [xxx]. Please email this to [your email].”

Police department verification script: “Officer [name], can you confirm the authorization for the tow on file for incident [report number] and provide documentation for release?”

Use these scripts early in any tow truck dispute after accident, and compare billed rates to city maxima for towing charges auto accident California.

Small claims checklist & timeline

• Collect evidence, calculate damages (tow + storage + any additional costs), and prepare a succinct affidavit/timeline.
• File in local small claims court, serve the defendant, and appear with original documents and copies.
• Bring city rate caps (e.g., OPGLA rates) and agency resources like the California BAR page on storage to show what’s reasonable.
• Organize communications with insurers and the tow yard. Consider adding your damage calculations if other property losses are included.

When to get legal help

• Storage or tow bills over $1,000 or accruing daily for weeks.
• Tow company refuses to provide documentation or return the vehicle after payment demand.
• Unclear authorization for the tow (no police report or private owner signature), or evidence suggests a wrongful tow.
• Competing claims of ownership, lien threats, or auction notices that shorten your time to resolve the dispute.
• Insurer refuses reimbursement without good cause or stalls beyond statutory or policy timelines.

If bills exceed small claims limits, if the car is held as evidence, or if there are criminal charges (like DUI), consult counsel experienced in auto/consumer law. If the impound relates to broader injury claims, consider speaking to a lawyer who can coordinate property and injury recovery—see our overview of auto accident legal help and how a claims attorney can push stalled insurers.

Local resources and California-specific links

• Fullerton PD vehicle impound fees — local impound releases and fees.
• Cathedral City vehicle release information — release requirements, holds, and fees.
• Richmond impound FAQ — police-authorized tow and release guidance.
• Ventura vehicle impounds — rates, tow authorization, and release procedure.
• Los Angeles Official Police Garage (OPGLA) rates — posted tow and storage rates for LA Official Police Garages.
• San José public safety fees — public safety-related fees that can apply to impounds.
• Beverly Hills impounded vehicle release info — city-specific release process.
• Murrieta: release a vehicle from impound — documentation and fee expectations.
• California Bureau of Automotive Repair: storage page — consumer guidance on storage practices and disputes.

Use these links to check posted rates and complaint processes. If a bill exceeds published maxima or includes unposted fees, capture screenshots and add them to your reimbursement or dispute packet. If you need to escalate a billing dispute beyond municipal regulators, you may also consider formal complaints and—if justified—filing in small claims court. For larger disputes or those tied to injury claims, see our overview on car accident injury claims and how property and injury issues interlock.

Additional practical tips

Move your vehicle quickly. If the car is drivable or can be transferred, moving it to your home or a shop you trust can halt storage accrual. Get written confirmation of release or transfer to prevent “double-billing” for overlapping days.

Confirm inspection schedules. Ask insurers to inspect promptly. Provide the tow yard’s operating hours and location. If inspection delays are due to insurer constraints, note this in writing and request the insurer confirm in an email—helpful for negotiating down storage charges later.

Mind total-loss timelines. If the vehicle is likely a total, push for early valuation. Provide titles, keys, and a copy of the police report to reduce delays. Keep a log of every call and email. If delays persist, learn how to press insurers using strategies from our insurance negotiation guide.

Coordinate injury and property claims. If you are injured, organize medical bills and wage loss alongside property receipts. This strengthens your overall claim posture, as outlined in our guide to calculating car crash compensation.

Conclusion

When your car is towed, costs accumulate quickly—but there is a clear path to recover what you pay. After a vehicle impound after car accident, gather the police report, get an itemized storage ledger, contact insurers immediately, request posted rate schedules, and escalate disputes in writing if bills exceed municipal caps. If liability is clear, reimbursement should follow; if not, use small claims or legal counsel as needed—and keep the question of who pays impound fees crash front and center in every communication.

Need help now? Get a free and instant case evaluation by Visionary Law Group. See if your case qualifies within 30-seconds at https://eval.visionarylawgroup.com/auto-accident.

FAQ

Who pays impound fees crash?

Generally, the registered owner pays up front to release the vehicle—even if not at fault—then seeks reimbursement from the at‑fault driver’s insurer. City pages like Fullerton and Cathedral City confirm that owners must typically clear fees before release. After payment, submit receipts with your claim. For police-authorized impounds and release details, see also Richmond’s FAQ and Ventura.

How to dispute tow charges after accident?

Request an itemized bill, posted rate schedule, and proof of authorization. Compare rates to municipal maxima (for example, OPGLA rates) and ask the authorizing police agency to verify the tow. If charges exceed published caps or are unsupported, file a formal complaint with the city regulator and escalate to small claims if needed. The California BAR’s storage guidance also helps consumers understand “reasonable” storage practices in disputes over towing charges auto accident California.

Will insurance cover storage fees?

Possibly. If you have collision coverage, reasonable towing/storage is typically covered regardless of fault (subject to deductible). If another driver is at fault, their liability coverage should reimburse your towing/storage after you submit receipts. Roadside add‑ons may cover basic towing but often exclude police impounds or extended storage. Submit receipts and ask your insurer about advancing payment; if they pay first, they may pursue subrogation for storage fees car crash compensation.

How long can a tow company hold my car?

It depends on authorization and local law. In California, police-ordered impounds can be held longer for specific reasons (for example, DUI-related holds up to about 30 days), as reflected on pages like Fullerton and Cathedral City. Otherwise, the vehicle is typically held until fees are paid or city auction rules apply. For general release steps and FAQs, see Richmond and Ventura.

What if I can’t afford the fees right now?

Ask the yard about payment options or temporary release so you can transfer the car to stop storage. Dispute any overcharges using city rate caps, and provide written proof of insurer claim numbers. If a tow truck dispute after accident persists or the yard threatens auction, consider small claims or consult an attorney—especially if fees are large or tied to complicated holds.