I have a car at a tow company, what to do if I can’t afford the bill and the car isn’t worth that much?
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I have a car at a tow company, what to do if I can’t afford the bill and the car isn’t worth that much?
They did not contact me until a month and a half later that they had my car. At that point, 2 weeks ago, they said I owed them $1100. I have been trying to contact the owner but now they say I owe $1600. I tried to turn over my title and also ask about junking my car; they refuse either idea and said they wanted their money. I am now not sure what to do.
Asked on June 14, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you had your car towed by a towing company, you unfortunately are legally obligated to pay the reasonable value of the tow and storage charges even though the vehicle is not worth that much.
If you do not pay what is owed, the tow company is legally allowed to sell the car at auction and keep the money received. If the charges still exceed the amount received for the car at auction, the towing company then could file a legal action against you for money owed.
I suggest that you pay the tow company money owed on your car to get it out of storage. The longer it remains, the more you end up owing.
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