Consent tow vs. non-consent tow: Here are the differences

If you’ve ever had your car towed, you probably know that it’s a pretty painful experience. Whether you get in a fender-bender, have a breakdown on the road, or unknowingly park in a restricted area, having your car taken away by a tow truck usually signals bad news.

When you have the misfortune of losing your car to a tow truck, the process of getting your car back can be irritating and expensive. But the circumstances of your tow impact the process quite dramatically.

Here are the differences between consent and non-consent tows:

Consent Tow (Voluntary Tow)

A consent tow happens when the vehicle owner or operator agrees to have their vehicle towed.

Common examples include:

• You call a towing company after your car breaks down.
• You request a tow truck after an accident.
• Law enforcement or your insurance asks for your permission to tow your car.

Insurance Implications:

• Tows are covered by most auto policies, especially if you have roadside assistance or towing coverage.
• You choose the towing company, so you have more control over cost and destination.
• Less likely to have disputes over towing or storage charges.

Non-Consent Tow (Involuntary Tow)

A non-consent tow happens without the vehicle owner’s permission.

Examples include:

• Towing from private property (like apartment complexes, businesses, etc.) due to parking violations.
• Towing by law enforcement after a crash, arrest, or abandonment.
• Illegal parking or obstruction of traffic/public space.

Insurance Implications:

• Usually not covered by standard insurance policies unless it’s part of a covered claim (like if your car is impounded after a crash and you were not at fault).
• Towing and storage fees can be high and are set by the towing company or city regulations.
• You may be on the hook for costs, even if you feel the tow was unjustified—though you can sometimes dispute it through local authorities.

Tips for being towed

• Always ask who is authorizing the tow and where your car is going.
• Get a receipt or another form of documentation as soon as you can.
• If you’re involved in an accident, ask your insurance if they can arrange towing directly to avoid unexpected charges.
• If your car was non-consent towed, and you believe the tow was illegal or predatory in nature, contact your city or state towing regulatory body.
• If you were towed from an apartment complex, contact the leasing office for tow company information. If you believe you were towed unjustly, ask them to explain their towing policy.