Many things can go wrong while you are driving your car. Sometimes the vehicle is involved in accidents or breakdowns that leave it at a standstill. A towing will then have to be done to an auto garage for repair. As you can imagine, this is a complex task that has a cost. But who should pay for the cost of towing the vehicle? The answer is in this article.
Who do I call to have a car towed? There are several options available to the motorist depending on where the vehicle is stranded. If your car broke down not far from your home, you could call a neighbor or a friend to tow your car.
If necessary, it is recommended that you contact your usual garage or the nearest repair shop. If the vehicle is immobilized on an expressway, it is advisable to contact your insurer if a third party caused the accident. The insurance company will direct the driver to an authorized repairer.
Is the car blocked on the highway? The emergency call points are set up to allow you to contact the nearest breakdown service. It is worth noting that modern vehicles are usually equipped with an eCall. This is an onboard emergency call device that can be triggered manually or automatically.
Who should pay for the cost of towing and storage of a car?
As part of your liability coverage, your insurer is responsible for paying for the towing and storage costs of the person who is responsible for the accident. Your insurer may pay for these costs, either on a third-party collision or damage coverage basis.
In the first case, your insurer will not intervene if you are responsible for the material damage suffered by your vehicle. When you find yourself with a broken-down vehicle, it is recommended that you call a towing service that has expertise and experience if you want to get out of the situation in the best possible conditions.
Who pays for the towing costs when the car is immobilized?
The insurance policy you have taken out may cover the costs of immobilizing your vehicle. If this is the case, you can benefit from compensation from the insurer for the unavailability of your car. Try to check the clauses of your contract carefully.
It is also possible that you will receive compensation from the insurer of the person who was found responsible for the accident as part of their civil liability. In order to benefit from this compensation, it is necessary that you prove that you have suffered damages due to the unavailability of your car. The compensation is likely to be the actual rental rate of a replacement car. It may also be a simple lump sum.
In general, if a breakdown occurs that results in the vehicle being immobilized at a distance of more than 50 km from your home, the expenses paid are not reimbursed. In the event that the car is seized, towed, and impounded, the owner is responsible for the towing costs. Likewise, the owner of a car must pay the management fees related to the disposal of his property if he does not claim it.
How much does towing cost?
The costs that apply vary from one towing specialist to another. Several criteria influence them:
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- The type of road at which the vehicle is immobilized (road, expressway, lane, highway, etc.);
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- The distance to be covered
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- The time slot and duration of the intervention (an increase of about 40% is to be expected for operations taking place on a holiday, weekend, or night)
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- The weather conditions.
In the case of an on-site breakdown service, the cost of the operation is 130.06 dollars if the total weight of the vehicle is less than 3.5 tons. This cost is valid when the mechanic is called between 8 am and 6 pm from Monday to Friday. The rate rises to 195.09 dollars on holidays and weekends.
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