6 Items To Look For On Your Towing Invoice

An accurate, detailed towing invoice is essential for your records, for insurance reimbursement and for documentation in case you need to contest charges. Some charges listed on your towing invoice may even be required by law.

Make sure your tow truck driver gives you a receipt with the following six pieces of information included:

Date and Time of the Tow Request

The invoice should list the name of the person or company that requested towing service and what day and time the call was placed. It also should list the location the vehicle was towed from and its final destination.

Detailed Towed Vehicle Information

The driver should have taken down all the details on your vehicle including the make, model, year, color, license plate number, state the car is registered in and the vehicle identification number. It’s vital to have this information on record to differentiate your car from any others.

Reason for Tow

The receipt should also list the reason for the tow, whether transport services were needed due to an accident, a mechanical problem or a flat tire. This is an important detail that can have implications on an insurance claim. 

Name and ID Number of Driver and Tow Truck

The vehicle owner should have the name and license number of the driver. The license plate number of the tow truck itself also should be listed.

Itemized Description of Tow Services

A legal, accurate towing invoice shouldn’t just list the total. It should show each separate charge. This is how you can be sure that the towing company is not overcharging you. Each administrative fee and specific service should be listed. This is especially important for non-consent tows.

Storage Facility Charges

If the car was stored at the towing company’s facility, it must show detailed charges and rates on the towing invoice. They should include the number of complete days the vehicle was stored and the name and ID of the person who picked up the vehicle.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of predatory towing, you have recourse. You can file a complaint with the state Department of Transportation or with small claims court. Make sure to review the laws in your state, especially towing invoice regulations. If there is a discrepancy on the towing invoice, you may be entitled to financial relief.

Depend on Stauffer’s Towing to provide a detailed towing invoice after each service call — clear communication is key to quality customer service.