Towing Fees

malazn mafia · 03-09-2013, 07:48 PM

Anyone have any advice on Towing Fees in general? If the tow truck shows up to scene of accident and tows car to holding yard and journey is 1km, is it a fair price of $350 for such a small trip? I don't have problems paying people but $350 for a leisurely 1km drive to the depot seems a bit rich. Sharks playing on people's misfortunes is all I can say. I got my new vehicle transported from another city and held in holding yard for 3 days for only slightly more. The driver did not issue an invoice at the time and was always to busy to meet in person to arrange payment and the shonky ***** asked for credit card details via SMS the next day, yeah right...

XRGhia · 03-09-2013, 07:51 PM

Yes it's a fair price if your stupid enough.

/start the flame war

malazn mafia · 03-09-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRGhia

Yes it's a fair price if your stupid enough.

/start the flame war

Stupid enough to get T-boned at an intersection by a speeding driver? Huh?

ZcAmbo · 03-09-2013, 07:56 PM

I broke down in my coupe saturday night at st kilda around 930pm i rang nation wide towing cost me $207.80 to tow it to st albans wasnt a bad price for the time of night.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 03-09-2013, 07:57 PM

Well if the accident was not your fault the tow should cost you nothing, as the other party pays so what does it matter??

Tow trucks attending accidents need to make money as well, as for praying on people mis fortune would you be happier if they did not exist and you had to move your own car??

devilcv8 · 03-09-2013, 08:08 PM

Check your state' rules and regs regarding it.

A number of years back I had a car stolen, smashed and recovered. The towie charged salvage, extra time and excess kms. After some investigation the amount got massively reduced as the salvage time they claimed was bs. The kms claimed got reduced and it turned out the driver was not a licensed as a towie. Complaint lodged to tow authority in nsw. Worked out well. They got to charge me a reasonable amount, they then got hit with large fines.

malazn mafia · 03-09-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilcv8

Check your state' rules and regs regarding it.

A number of years back I had a car stolen, smashed and recovered. The towie charged salvage, extra time and excess kms. After some investigation the amount got massively reduced as the salvage time they claimed was bs. The kms claimed got reduced and it turned out the driver was not a licensed as a towie. Complaint lodged to tow authority in nsw. Worked out well. They got to charge me a reasonable amount, they then got hit with large fines.

Incident happened a while ago in NSW. Where is the NSW tow authority? And tow trucks need to be licensed? The business card has no license number and don't remember seeing any in his cabin. Thanks for the reply, I guess you are one of the non-tow truck operators viewing this thread.

pajoda · 03-09-2013, 08:19 PM

Doesn't the insurance company control this these days? Sure they are sharks too, but the towing cost is absorbed into their costs

MrEL · 03-09-2013, 08:24 PM

Yep the price is high , but towing from the scene of an accident is always much higher then organising a tow for a break down or for car transport.
Its just the way it happens.

malazn mafia · 03-09-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrEL

Yep the price is high , but towing from the scene of an accident is always much higher then organising a tow for a break down or for car transport.
Its just the way it happens.

Fair enough. But if I am capable of pulling out my mobile phone and calling a tow truck and have to pay big bucks for the callout fee and am told the price up front, I am happy to pay. Not when some random girl in a low cut dress rocks up to the scene asks if everyone is alright pretending to care and conveniently points around the corner saying I have a tow truck driver here (said lady actually works for the tow company).

TWENTY B · 03-09-2013, 08:46 PM

Nrma roadside assistance.. Money well spent.
First 20kms free, then **** all per k after that.

foxtrot3 · 03-09-2013, 08:49 PM

Hi. Accident towing and storage is sky high so the insurance co's think they have a bargain when its discounted for them (lol). Tell a towie that you will pick up a car from their depot on a trailer and they will tow it anywhere for bugger all. Cheers MD

Yellow_Festiva · 03-09-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWENTY B

Nrma roadside assistance.. Money well spent.
First 20kms free, then **** all per k after that.

My Focus was towed around a month ago. I think the Ford roadside assistance uses NRMA towing. $5 per km outside the limit and between $30 and $90 to clean up any oil your car leaves on the tray.

jrfttf · 03-09-2013, 09:01 PM

All depends on time of the day, also if car was breakdown or in accident

As stated earlier if car was in a prang, it MUST be towed by a licensed tow truck that is accident approved, i believe the fine for any normal truck towing a car from an accident scene is 10k..

jrfttf · 03-09-2013, 09:03 PM

As for the OP sounds like your been taken for a ride.

Itsme · 03-09-2013, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Fair enough. But if I am capable of pulling out my mobile phone and calling a tow truck and have to pay big bucks for the callout fee and am told the price up front, I am happy to pay. Not when some random girl in a low cut dress rocks up to the scene asks if everyone is alright pretending to care and conveniently points around the corner saying I have a tow truck driver here (said lady actually works for the tow company).

Sounds like you got sucked in big time....
Pays to have insurance & road side service to be safe from the vultures.

**Jastel** · 03-09-2013, 09:34 PM

Accident Tows are normally regulated by the state transport department as well, the higher price includes immediate towing 24/7, tow to storage yard, clean up accident site, which can be major mess or very little, storage, and delivery to assessor/panel beater shop as well when time comes.

Of course there is always "Insurance is paying" so who cares attitude, no matter how far or how much work it was or wasnt.

I had a car towed 400kms for less than that, it was not an accident but just a transport, but it was at their convenience. You don't get that option if your car is upside down at an intersection.

There are definitely shonks out there like any industry. I have been pressured to agree to first tow truck there rather than wait for my preferred one. Even the cop was getting annoyed at me. But I stuck to the guy I know.

Best bet is probably the Auto Club or whatever brand in your state.

FPV+fteT3 · 03-09-2013, 09:35 PM

In Newcastle NSW daytime hours it will cost $250 for the booking that covers you for 15km then $2.00 per KM after that. Your insurance will take care of the bill after an accident it should cost you nothing.

Itsme · 03-09-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jastel

Accident Tows are normally regulated by the state transport department as well, the higher price includes immediate towing 24/7, tow to storage yard, clean up accident site, which can be major mess or very little, storage, and delivery to assessor/panel beater shop as well when time comes.

Of course there is always "Insurance is paying" so who cares attitude, no matter how far or how much work it was or wasnt.

I had a car towed 400kms for less than that, it was not an accident but just a transport, but it was at their convenience. You don't get that option if your car is upside down at an intersection.

There are definitely shonks out there like any industry. I have been pressured to agree to first tow truck there rather than wait for my preferred one. Even the cop was getting annoyed at me. But I stuck to the guy I know.

Best bet is probably the Auto Club or whatever brand in your state.

You say it is regulated by state transport department! then it is up to the authority to send out a nominated tow truck to accidents, not the one you want.

302 XC · 04-09-2013, 06:26 AM

Accident towing fees have always been higher than general tow,just as if its an insurance claim or a general tow, always dearer,same as take car to smash repair first question they ask is , insurance or you paying .....
Been like that since moses was a kid
Towies are always sitting near major roads waiting for such honey holes,but its now law you must be removed of a major road asap,even if your towed just of that road,onto a less traffic road
One of my cars broke down ,was over 100 Ks from home, towed of the highway first,after waiting 30 mins,then had to wait another 45 mins,but got towed home free,racq member, but if it was accident that's different

saam · 04-09-2013, 06:52 AM

Accident areas have different towing companies who are in charge of them...

So certain companies cover certain areas in which an accident occurs. Zones as they call it.

Other towing companies work have contracts with the counsils like "tow away areas" have a holding bay nearby and charge you as much as they can.

In order to deal with accidents you need a tow license, not any joe tow can do the job, if they do and get caught they will be fined.

msroadkill612 · 04-09-2013, 07:00 AM

No it isnt

No way u should do biz w/ a crook who turns up at the prang

we should all have at least 5 towies listed in our mobes to get a fair price given a prang to get a fair price

the guy at the site is the last guy u want

often has a cute arrangement w/ the cops

they are predators - not been a victim but have seen it may times

tex · 04-09-2013, 07:01 AM

Last tilt tray ride I got in Victoria was 400 from heathcote to campbelfield. They didn't tell me that until the car was on the tray.

Tow fees are ridiculous. It's extortion a lot of the time!

devilcv8 · 04-09-2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Incident happened a while ago in NSW. Where is the NSW tow authority? And tow trucks need to be licensed? The business card has no license number and don't remember seeing any in his cabin. Thanks for the reply, I guess you are one of the non-tow truck operators viewing this thread.

Looks like it's now under RMS
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/heavyvehic...documents.html

One document lists maximum fees to be paid. There should be a complaints/info contact available.

msroadkill612 · 04-09-2013, 07:38 AM

your post touches on a major sham - there are laws - but nobody to tell, or interested, or publicized to have effect

nuthin' fancy · 04-09-2013, 08:53 AM

Go to the operating authority for the towies and have them taken into account.

cobramania · 04-09-2013, 09:16 AM

That price is probably a bit high, but the taking cars to the holding yard is mostly just a money spinner.

My Brother had a smash on a Saturday, & had to get towed, our mate owns a Smash Repairs Business, he told the towie to take the car there (about 3km's down the road). Bro, called our mate on Monday to see what his assessment of the car was, said he knew nothing about it & the car wasn't there.

He looked into it & the towie had taken the car to the holding yard, & wanted payment for taking it there & storage fees as well. Thing was, our mate was at work all day Saturday & the towie could've dropped the car straight off, but he made no attempt to take it there or even contact our mate to see if he was there/open, &/or if he could drop the car off in the yard.

Our mate blew up at the towing company & talked to the insurance. We said we weren't paying the fees, & insurance said they wouldn't either. The towing company had to deliver the car on Monday afternoon to my mates Smash Repairs, & drop all towing transport & storage fees, because the driver (company) made no attempt to deliver the car, instead opting to store it themselves for a fee.

msroadkill612 · 04-09-2013, 09:57 AM

glad to see this issue covered

whole insurance/smash repair/towing thing is a scam

not my problem

i only insure my cheap car for basics & have 5 towie numbers in my mobes

its a double scam - they tow u to a rigged smash repair mob

msroadkill612 · 04-09-2013, 10:01 AM

BTW

if u sniff about

a tow half way across sydney is ~$100

**Jastel** · 04-09-2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trublu

You say it is regulated by state transport department! then it is up to the authority to send out a nominated tow truck to accidents, not the one you want.

Transport Dept regulate Taxis as well but good luck getting them to send you one....

I mean they license towies, set max prices and rules etc...same as Taxis, Buses Trucks etc.

Maybe on big city freeways the police have deals with tow companies to speed up traffic flow but not in my town. The police do have a preferred company here if the driver is unable to arrange his own. ie dead/injured or drunk/arrested. That was what happened in my case, other guy was arrested and preferred company turns up and cop says take both cars, I said NO X is coming. And as the owner I have that right.

As others have said if you want to fix it yourself or at a buddys panel shop, just tow it straight to your house or the shop. I do this all the time with the cabs, time is money, fix it (pay cash to mate or whatever) and sort out details later. Most times it is back on the road before the assessor even calls me. I have always been paid out by insurance, but it sometimes takes some complaining and legal threats...

Main thing is Know your rights...which vary a bit between states.