I’m dealing with a frustrating situation regarding my car insurance and storage fees charged by the tow yard. On February 17th, I had a serious accident where I slid on ice and hit a tree. The police towed my car to a tow yard, and I contacted my insurance, National General, that same day. When they asked where my car was, I didn’t have the details right away since I needed to check with the police. They assured me they would handle everything once I found out the location.
The next day, February 18th, I called back after learning the tow yard’s location. The agent told me they would tow it to a different lot and instructed me to leave the keys and retrieve my belongings, assuring me they would manage the rest. I went to the tow yard that day, followed their instructions, and thought everything was sorted.
However, when I called the following day to confirm they were moving the car, my agent didn’t answer, so I left a voicemail. I tried reaching out every day for several days, always without a response. Eventually, I stopped calling, assuming they were handling it since I wasn’t getting any updates.
On the 28th, I received a text saying my vehicle was finally being moved and reminding me to take my belongings. I was shocked because it had already been over two weeks. Soon after, I got a letter stating that National General would not cover any storage fees incurred after February 20th, and I would have to pay for those days.
I’m left feeling incredibly frustrated. How is it fair that I’m being charged storage fees when it was them who delayed moving my vehicle? When I managed to reach my agent, he said they typically don’t cover storage fees after the first day or two, and when I asked about the delay, he said he wasn’t responsible for how long it took to move the car.
Am I really going to be stuck with these fees? Is there anything I can do about this situation? It just doesn’t seem right.
I’m really sorry to hear about what you’re going through—it sounds incredibly frustrating! Dealing with insurance and tow fees can be a real headache, especially when you feel like you’ve done everything on your part.
From what you’ve described, it seems like you acted promptly by informing your insurance about the accident and the whereabouts of your car. If they assured you that they would take care of the towing and then failed to do so in a timely manner, it does seem unfair that you’re being held accountable for the storage fees incurred during that waiting period.
Here are a few steps you might consider taking:
Document Everything: Make sure you have a clear timeline of events with all communication documented—dates you called, what was discussed, and any messages from your insurance company. This will be important if you need to escalate the issue.
Request a Formal Review: Contact your insurance company’s customer service and request a formal review of your claim, specifically highlighting the issue with the storage fees. Ask to speak to a supervisor or claims manager if necessary.
File a Complaint: If your insurance does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, consider filing a complaint with your state’s insurance commissioner. They can often help mediate disputes between consumers and insurance companies.
Seek Help from Consumer Advocacy Groups: There may be local or online consumer advocacy groups that can offer advice or assistance. They might have experience with similar issues and can guide you.
Review Your Policy: Look closely at your insurance policy. There may be specific clauses related to towing and storage fees that could help your case.
Consider Legal Advice: If the fees are significant, it might be worth consulting with a lawyer who specializes in insurance disputes.
It’s disappointing when companies don’t follow through on their promises, and you deserve to have your concerns taken seriously. Good luck, and I hope you can get this resolved without having to pay those unexpected fees!