Who Pays for Towing and Storage Fees After a Crash in Tempe?

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident in Tempe, few things happen faster than your car getting towed—especially if the vehicle is undriveable or blocking traffic. But while the tow truck may show up quickly, the bill is often another headache entirely. Many crash victims are left asking: Who pays for the towing and storage fees? And how do you make sure those charges don’t spiral out of control?

At Tempe Car Accident Attorney, we help crash victims recover not only compensation for medical bills and lost wages, but also reimbursement for post-crash expenses like towing and storage—costs that insurance companies love to overlook.

Why Towing and Storage Fees Matter More Than You Think

It’s easy to underestimate how quickly these charges add up. In Tempe, towing fees often start around $200–$300, and daily storage rates can range from $30 to $80 depending on the lot. If your car sits in storage for a week while the insurance company "reviews" your case, you could be facing a $700–$1,000 surprise bill.

We’ve seen this happen to drivers after hit-and-run crashes, rollover accidents, or T-bone collisions, especially when police arrange the tow and the vehicle is sent to a third-party yard.

Who Pays If the Other Driver Was at Fault?

If the accident was caused by another driver, their insurance company is legally responsible for covering reasonable towing and storage costs. However, don’t expect them to be proactive about it. Many insurers will wait until a claim is fully processed before issuing any payment—and by then, storage fees have piled up.

If your crash happened in South Tempe or Meyer Park, for example, and the police directed your car to a local impound lot, you’ll need to act quickly to either retrieve your vehicle or move it to a more affordable location. The insurance company isn’t likely to tell you that.

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

In crashes involving uninsured drivers, towing and storage fees may fall under your own collision or uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage—if you have it. Unfortunately, not all Tempe drivers carry these policies, and many don’t know what they’re entitled to.

If you’re dealing with an uninsured motorist after a crash in North Tempe, reach out to a qualified attorney quickly. The longer the car sits in storage, the less likely you are to recover full compensation.

What If You’re Partially at Fault?

Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system, which means you can still recover damages—even if you were partly responsible for the crash. If you're found 30% at fault, for instance, you could still recover 70% of your storage and towing costs.

This can come into play in accidents involving distracted driving, rideshare collisions, or shared-fault parking lot crashes in areas like Escalante. Fault isn’t always clear-cut, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the bill.

How Long Will Insurance Cover Storage?

Most insurance policies—whether yours or the at-fault driver’s—will only pay for reasonable storage time, typically 3–5 days. After that, they may argue that it was your responsibility to move the car or release it to them for evaluation.

This is a huge trap for crash victims who are recovering from injuries or dealing with a TBI or spinal cord injury. You shouldn’t be expected to handle logistics when you’re hurt—but insurers use that delay to shift the financial burden onto you.

That’s why it’s critical to have someone working on your behalf as soon as the accident occurs. We've helped clients across Downtown Tempe recover full towing and storage costs after the insurance company tried to avoid responsibility.

Can You Choose Where the Vehicle Is Towed?

Generally, if your vehicle is still drivable, you can request it be towed to a shop of your choice. If it's undriveable, police or first responders may make that decision for you—often defaulting to city-approved tow yards that charge premium storage rates.

If you’re able, try to direct the vehicle to your preferred repair shop or storage lot right after the crash. If not, move it as soon as possible to avoid extra charges. In one case in Holdeman, a delay of just four days added over $300 in storage fees—because no one told the driver the insurer wouldn’t pay past the initial three days.

What If the Vehicle Is Declared a Total Loss?

If your car is totaled, towing and storage fees are typically included as part of the property damage settlement. However, insurance companies will deduct those costs from the payout amount—meaning less money in your pocket unless you dispute their valuation or move the car sooner.

For more on how total loss claims work, check out our article on Tempe total loss vehicle claims.

Can You Get Reimbursed for Towing After You Pay Out of Pocket?

Yes—if you paid for towing or storage yourself, save all receipts and invoices. These charges can be submitted as part of your property damage claim, and you are entitled to full reimbursement as long as they are deemed reasonable.

We’ve helped clients in Tempe pedestrian accidents and DUI crashes recover every penny of out-of-pocket costs—even months after the accident—by showing the charges were necessary and caused directly by the crash.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Tow Yard Drain Your Settlement

Towing and storage may seem like minor issues compared to serious injuries—but they can quietly eat away at your settlement if you’re not paying attention. Insurance companies use confusion and delay to shift these costs onto victims, hoping you'll either give up or pay out of pocket.

Don’t. Whether your accident occurred near Arizona State University, in a residential zone like South Tempe, or anywhere across the Valley, you have rights. And you don’t have to eat the costs of someone else’s mistake.

For more guidance, visit our legal resources or contact our office directly. We’ll help you recover everything you're owed—including the towing bill they never wanted to talk about.