Being in a car accident is a stressful experience, and dealing with towing and storage costs can make it even worse. In California, the party liable for covering these costs is determined by a number of elements, including who caused the accident and the parties’ insurance coverage.
You are responsible for covering the cost of your vehicle’s towing and storage if you caused the accident. On the other hand, if the other driver was at fault, their insurance provider ought to pay for these expenses. In either scenario, it’s crucial to keep all receipts and supporting documentation pertaining to the towing and storage fees, as you might need to give them to either your insurance provider or the insurance provider for the other driver.
The cost of towing and storage in some circumstances might be greater than the value of the car. In these cases, the insurance provider may declare the car a total loss and make the owner an offer of compensation. The settlement sum will be determined by the extent of the damage and the vehicle’s worth at the time of the accident.
If you are a member of AAA, you might be entitled to complimentary towing services as a benefit of your membership. A membership with AAA can cost anywhere between $56 and $119 per year. Up to four free tows are included with the basic membership each year, but more expensive memberships also offer longer towing distances and free travel services.
If you have GEICO roadside assistance, you are entitled to five free uses of the service each year. This covers products and services like towing, jump starts, and lockout help. You might incur additional fees for additional services if you make more than five uses in a calendar year.
Additionally, regardless of whether a driver has GEICO insurance, GEICO provides a separate emergency roadside service. This service’s price varies according to the client’s location and the requested service.
Roadside assistance and towing are included in Progressive’s insurance plans. The specific insurance will determine how many tows are covered. A set number of tows per year may be included in some policies, while unlimited tows may be covered by others.
In conclusion, the party liable for covering the cost of towing and storage after an accident in California depends on who caused the accident and who had insurance. It’s crucial to understand your insurance coverage, as well as any additional roadside assistance services you might have, and to keep all documentation pertaining to these fees.
For driving without insurance in California, the police have up to three years to file charges.