What Happens If Your Rental Car Gets Towed?

You step out of a cafe after lunch, ready to hit the road, and your rental car is gone. Your heart drops. Was it stolen? Towed? Relaxed! This happens more often than you think.

Rental cars can be towed for simple reasons, like parking in the wrong spot, leaving a meter unpaid, or stopping in a tow zone.

In this easy article, you’ll learn what happens if your rental car gets towed and exactly how to get it back.

Why Rental Cars Get Towed in the First Place?

Rental cars can get towed for several reasons, and most of them are easy to avoid if you know what to watch out for. Here are the main ones:

• Illegal Parking: Parking in no-parking zones, blocking driveways, or stopping near fire hydrants can lead to your rental being towed quickly by the city.
• Expired Meter: If your parking meter runs out of time, the city can give you a ticket or even tow your car. So, always check the time to avoid paying extra money.
• Private Property: If you park in someone else’s lot without permission, the owner can call a tow truck. Your rental car might be taken to an impound lot.
• Accident Scene: Rentals left at an accident scene, or involved in one, are often towed by police to keep traffic clear and protect everyone’s safety.

Note: Sometimes a rental car is towed if it breaks down or has problems that make it unsafe to drive. Other times, the rental company may need the car back quickly.

City Towing vs Private Lot Towing

City towing and private lot towing work a bit differently. Cities usually tow for public safety reasons, like parking violations or accidents, and the police or city contractors handle it.

Private lots, on the other hand, tow mainly for rule violations on their property, and the lot owner decides when to release the car.

Either way, you’ll usually end up paying rental car impound fees, so it’s good to know the rules and act fast if you find yourself in such situations.

What Does the Towing Policy of Major Rental Car Companies Say?

Enterprise

Enterprise usually doesn’t allow towing with its regular rental cars. However, you can tow with certain ¾-ton and 1-ton pickup trucks available at Enterprise Truck Rental locations. There may be an extra towing fee. 

Avis

Avis doesn’t permit towing with its rental vehicles. If your car gets towed, you’ll need to handle the situation directly with the towing company. Avis provides 24/7 roadside assistance for emergencies, but towing services are not included. 

Alamo

Alamo also doesn’t allow towing with its rental. If your car is towed, you’ll need to contact the towing company to get it back and pay any related fees. Alamo does provide 24/7 roadside assistance for emergencies, but not a towing facility.

5 Steps to Take If Your Rental Car Gets Towed

Step 1: Confirm the Car Was Towed (Not Stolen)

First, take a deep breath! Check with the local police, towing service, or parking authority to confirm your rental car gets towed and isn’t stolen.

You’ll need to share the car’s license plate or VIN number. Many cities also have online “Find My Tow” tools to help you locate it fast.

Step 2: Contact the Rental Car Company Immediately

Call your rental company right away. It’s very important! They can authorize the car’s release or send someone to help.

You can reach Enterprise (855-266-9565), Hertz (1-800-654-4173), Avis (1-800-352-7900), Budget (1-800-214-6094), or Alamo (1-888-233-8749). Don’t try to deal with it alone without telling them first.

Call for Rental Car Help

Step 3: Review Your Rental Agreement and Insurance Policy

Take a quick look at your rental papers to see what’s covered. Some agreements or your rental car insurance coverage, credit card, or travel insurance may pay for towing or impound fees.

If it’s the company’s fault, like a car issue or breakdown. In such cases, you usually won’t have to pay.

Step 4: Retrieve the Car from the Impound Lot

Only the rental company can get the car released from the impound lot. You’ll need to provide your rental contract, driver’s license, and towing receipt.

Never hand over money yourself. Wait until the company confirms in writing before any payment or pickup happens.

Step 5: Understand the Cost: Who Pays for What

If your rental car is towed, you’re generally responsible for towing, impound, storage, and extra rental day fees, which vary by city. Like, $20 in New York to $79 in San Francisco per day.

Rental companies or insurance may cover costs for mechanical failures or accidents, depending on your coverage.

Conclusion

So, what should you remember? If your rental car gets towed, be calm. You can fix it! Just call the rental company, and follow the right steps. Always read your rental papers before you drive off, and park only where it’s allowed.

You can save time and money if you know the local parking rules. A quick check before leaving your car can stop big trouble later.

You can handle this! Stay careful, act fast, and your trip will stay stress-free and smooth, even if a tow truck comes around.