In Missouri, tow yards can legally charge you for storing your car after an accident, but they must follow specific state regulations designed to protect consumers from unfair practices.
Under Missouri Revised Statute § 304.154, towing companies can charge both a one-time towing fee and daily storage fees, but they’re required to post their rates, maintain regular business hours, and allow you access to personal belongings without extra charges.
After a crash, these storage fees accumulate quickly and can become a significant financial burden while you’re already dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance claims.
Many accident victims don’t realize their rights or understand how Missouri’s towing laws work, leaving them vulnerable to excessive charges by unscrupulous tow yards.
Understanding Your Rights Under Missouri Towing Regulations
While a “towing fee” is a one-time charge for moving your vehicle from the scene, “storage fees” are daily charges that pile up every day your car sits in the yard. To keep these costs in check, Missouri law provides several key protections:
- Posted rates: Tow companies must display their full rate sheet at their business location
- Required hours: The yard must be open at least 10 hours daily, Monday through Friday
- No weekend charges: They cannot charge storage fees for days they’re closed during required hours
- Free inspections: Insurance adjusters can examine your car without paying extra fees
- Personal belongings: You can retrieve items from your vehicle at no additional cost
- Transfer notice: The company must give you a 24-hour warning before moving your car elsewhere
Do Missouri Tow Yards Have to Let You Retrieve Belongings?
Yes, Missouri law requires tow yards to allow you to retrieve personal items from your car during business hours. They cannot charge you extra for this access, even if you haven’t paid the towing bill yet.
This includes medications, child seats, work equipment, and other belongings you need. The yard must allow reasonable access without making you pay first.
Can Tow Yards Charge Storage on Days They Are Closed?
No, tow yards cannot charge storage fees for any day they’re not open during their required business hours. If they’re closed Saturday and Sunday, they cannot add those days to your bill.
This rule prevents you from paying for days when retrieving your car would have been impossible. It’s one of Missouri’s key protections against predatory towing practices.
Must Tow Yards Post Rates and Be Open During Business Hours?
Tow companies must stay open or have staff available for at least 10 hours each weekday. They also need a working phone number listed with directory assistance.
Their complete rate sheet must be posted where customers can see it. You can ask for a copy of these rates at any time.
Do Adjusters Get Free Access to Inspect?
Your insurance adjuster must be allowed to examine your vehicle without paying a fee. This inspection takes place during normal business hours and helps expedite your insurance claim.
Quick inspections help determine whether your car can be repaired or is a total loss. Delays in this process cost you money in storage fees.
Can the Lot Move Your Car Without Notice?
Tow yards cannot transfer your vehicle to another location without giving you 24 hours’ advance notice. This notice must include the new address and any costs for moving it.
This rule ensures you always know where your car is located. Some yards try to move vehicles to cheaper storage areas without telling customers.
Do County Exemptions Change These Rights?
Some rural Missouri counties are exempt from certain towing regulations. Counties classified as third- or fourth-class may have different rules regarding business hours and posted rates.
If your car was towed in a rural area, the standard protections might not apply. Check with local authorities about what rules govern towing in that specific county.
Who Pays for Towing and Storage After an Accident in Missouri?
You typically pay the tow yard upfront to get your car back. However, you can usually be reimbursed, depending on who caused the accident and which insurance coverage applies.
The key is understanding which insurance policy should cover these costs. Acting quickly prevents storage fees from growing while you sort out payment.
| Situation | Who Pays First | Who Reimburses | Insurance Used |
| Other driver at fault | You | Their insurance | Property damage liability |
| You caused the crash | You | Your insurance | Collision coverage |
| Hit and run accident | You | Your insurance | Uninsured motorist or collision |
| No collision coverage | You | No one | None available |
Does Insurance Cover Towing After an Accident?
Insurance often covers towing and storage, but it depends on fault and your policy. If another driver caused the crash, their liability insurance should pay these costs.
If you were at fault, your collision coverage would handle towing and storage fees. Without collision coverage, you might have to pay these costs yourself.
Will the At-Fault Driver Reimburse Storage?
The at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance must cover reasonable towing and storage fees. You need receipts and documentation to get reimbursed.
Insurance companies may argue that fees became unreasonable if you waited too long to move your car. Acting quickly helps mitigate damages and protects your right to full reimbursement.
What if the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you can use your Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage if you have it. This coverage specifically covers property damage caused by uninsured drivers.
Without this coverage, your collision insurance would be the next option. If you have neither, you may need to sue the uninsured driver directly.
Can MedPay Help Right Away?
Medical Payments coverage only pays for medical bills, not towing or storage costs. However, using MedPay for your medical care frees up your personal money.
This can make it easier to afford paying the tow yard while you wait for other insurance to reimburse you. MedPay works regardless of who caused the accident.
How to Stop Tow Yard Storage Fees Fast
Every day your car sits at a tow yard costs you more money. Taking immediate action is the only way to stop these daily charges from growing.
Storage fees can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars if you wait too long. Here’s how to get your car released quickly.
Call the Yard and Your Insurer With These Details
Contact your insurance company immediately after the accident. Before calling, gather this essential information:
- Police report number: Your insurer needs this to start the claim
- Tow yard contact information: Name, address, and phone number
- Current storage rate: Ask for the daily fee in writing
- Total bill so far: Get an itemized invoice showing all charges
- Release requirements: What documents do you need to get your car
Move the Car to a Repair Shop or Home
The only way to stop storage fees is to remove your car from the tow yard. If it’s drivable, take it home immediately.
For damaged vehicles, have it towed directly to your chosen repair shop. This stops daily storage charges and gets repair work started.
Request Early Inspection and Release
Tell your insurance adjuster that storage fees are accumulating daily. Ask them to inspect your vehicle immediately to speed up the process.
Explain that delays are costing you money and request expedited handling. Most adjusters will prioritize inspections when storage fees are involved.
Authorize Direct Pay or Lien to Halt Storage
Your insurance company might pay the tow yard directly to release your vehicle. This eliminates the need for you to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
Some repair shops will also pay the towing bill and add it to your final repair invoice. This gets your car moved and stops daily storage charges.
Keep Receipts and a Timeline
Document every conversation with the tow yard and insurance company. Save all receipts related to towing and storage costs.
Create a timeline showing when you called your insurer and when you took action. This documentation proves your costs were reasonable and helps ensure full reimbursement.
How Much Do Towing and Storage Usually Cost in Missouri?
Towing and storage costs can shock accident victims who aren’t prepared. Understanding typical charges helps you spot unreasonable bills and plan your budget.
Costs vary significantly based on location, time of day, and services needed. Urban areas generally charge more than rural locations.
Typical Tow Charges
Towing costs in Missouri vary depending on distance, time of day, and the specific circumstances of the tow. Accident-scene tows often cost more due to the urgency and potential cleanup needs.
Night, weekend, and holiday tows typically include surcharges when moving your vehicle. The type of vehicle and special equipment needed also affect the final cost.
Typical Daily Storage Charges
Daily storage fees in Missouri vary by location and provider and can add up quickly. Urban areas like St. Louis and Kansas City tend toward the higher end of this range.
These fees accumulate quickly and can exceed your car’s value if left unchecked. Daily storage fees can add up quickly if your vehicle remains at the tow yard.
Extra Fees You Might See
Beyond basic towing and storage, you may encounter additional charges:
- After-hours fee: Extra cost for nights, weekends, or holidays
- Cleanup fee: Charges for removing debris or fluids from the scene
- Administrative fee: Processing or paperwork charges
- Special equipment fee: Costs for flatbeds, dollies, or winching services
How to Dispute Unreasonable Towing or Storage Charges
If you believe a tow yard is overcharging you, Missouri law provides ways to challenge unfair bills. You have rights against predatory towing practices.
Many tow yards count on customers not knowing their rights. Understanding the law helps you fight back against excessive charges.
Get an Itemized Bill and Posted Rate Sheet
Demand a detailed invoice breaking down every charge on your bill. Ask to see the company’s posted rate sheet, which they’re legally required to display.
Compare your invoice to their posted rates line by line. Look for charges that don’t match their published prices or services you didn’t receive.
Compare Charges to Law and Local Schedules
Check if the charges comply with Missouri towing laws and local ordinances. Some cities and counties set maximum rates for towing and storage.
Contact the local police department for information about maximum allowable charges in that area. They often have copies of local towing regulations.
File a Complaint and Consider Small Claims
If you cannot resolve the dispute directly, file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. They investigate consumer fraud and unfair business practices.
For smaller disputes, consider small claims court. In Missouri, claims up to $5,000 can be filed without a lawyer, making the small-claims process accessible for most towing disputes.
Can You Sign the Title Over to the Tow Yard?
If your car is totaled and storage fees exceed its value, signing over the title might be your best option. This means giving the tow yard ownership in exchange for having your debt forgiven.
This decision has serious consequences, so consider it carefully. Make sure you understand all the risks before agreeing to sign over your title.
When It Makes Sense and Risks to Know
Signing over your title makes sense when your car’s value is less than the accumulated fees. However, several risks come with this decision:
- Outstanding loans: You may still owe money on a car loan even after giving away the title
- Insurance complications: Notify your insurer before signing over the title to avoid coverage issues
- Tax implications: The IRS might consider this a taxable transaction
- Credit impact: Unpaid loans can still affect your credit score
Get a written agreement stating that signing over the title settles your entire debt with the tow yard. This protects you from future collection attempts.
Auto Accident Attorneys in Missouri With 35+ Years Experience
We are Beck & Beck, Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, the only Missouri firm that focuses exclusively on auto accident law. If you were injured in the crash, we can handle tow yard disputes and insurance negotiations while you recover.
We have a long history of helping Missouri accident victims recover compensation. We know how tow yards operate and how to stop excessive storage fees from draining your settlement.
Our family-run firm handles every aspect of your case personally. We’ll deal with the tow yards, coordinate vehicle inspections, and fight insurance companies that try to delay your claim.
We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win your case. Contact us online for immediate help with your accident case.
Don’t let tow yard fees consume money that should go toward your recovery. We’ll protect your rights and maximize your compensation while you focus on healing.
Missouri Tow Yard FAQs
How Long Can a Tow Yard Hold My Car?
A tow yard can legally hold your vehicle until you pay the full towing and storage bill. Missouri law sets no maximum time limit, and fees continue growing each day your car remains there.
Can the Yard Demand Cash Only?
Two yards cannot legally require cash-only payments in most situations. They must accept reasonable forms of payment like credit cards or certified checks, though some may refuse personal checks.
What if the Car Is Held as Evidence?
If police place an evidence hold on your vehicle, you cannot retrieve it until they release it. Storage fees may continue accumulating during this time, even though the delay isn’t your fault.
What if I cannot Locate My Car After the Crash?
Contact the police department that responded to your accident for towing information. They maintain records of which company towed your vehicle and where it was taken.
Can the Yard Sell My Car Without Notifying Me?
Missouri law requires tow yards to follow specific procedures before selling your vehicle. They must attempt to notify you by certified mail and wait at least 30 days before proceeding with a sale.
Can I Get My Child’s Seat or Medications Without Paying?
Yes, you have the legal right to retrieve essential personal items, such as child seats, medications, and work equipment, during business hours. The tow yard cannot charge extra fees for this access.
Does the Yard Have to Allow Access on Weekends?
No, Missouri law only requires tow yards to be available Monday through Friday for at least 10 hours daily. They’re not required to provide weekend access, but cannot charge storage for days they’re closed.
