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I am in investigator for a sheriff's office in a rural area in Texas.  I have been given the task of writing wrecker rules... The most important part of this is going to be Maximum Fees for non consent tows.  I know that there are going to gripes and complaints from towing companies about this, but some of the fees have gotten out of hand.  There is a couple of companies that are charging between Five and Eight hundred dollars for an average impound.

I want to set this fair, so I'd like to get some numbers from different areas to use in my determination.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Our towing association (ITOW) has gone to great lengths to research our states economy and the fiscal necessities of a modern towing company, and we have worked very closely with the Washington State Patrol (the agency that governs towing rules in our state) to establish a fair but profitable rate for non-consent tows in our state.

Our rates are tied to our State Transportation Index, so our rate can change a couple percent a year as transportation costs rise or fall.

Our rates for police ordered impounds are as follows:

Class A/E - $154 per hour.
Class B/E - $188 per hour
Class C - $332 per hour
Class D - N/A
Class S - N/A
Storage fee is $39 per day, calculated to nearest half day.
An after hours release fee of $77.00 (half the hourly rate) will be charged if vehicle or contents are released after normal business hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Quote
Class A--Trucks that are capable of towing and recovery passenger cars, pickup trucks, small trailers, or equivalent vehicles.
Class B--Trucks that are capable of towing and/or recovery medium size trucks, trailers, motor homes, or equivalent vehicles.
Class C--Trucks that are capable of towing and/or recovery large trucks, trailers, buses, motor homes, or similar vehicles.
Class D--Trucks that are equipped for and primarily used as "wheel lift" trucks.
Class E--Trucks designed and intended to transport vehicles entirely on truck bed.
Class S--Tow or recovery trucks that cannot meet the requirements of Class "A", "B", "C", "D" or"E" and are not eligible for
waiver per WAC 204-91A-070(4).
(1) Accident/General Towing Hourly Rate -- First hour charge plus additional charge calculated to nearest 1/4 hour.
(2) Impounded Hourly Rate -- First hour charge plus additional charge to nearest 1/4 hour.
(3) Storage Rate -- Charged to nearest 1/2 day from the time vehicle arrives at storage area.


Our rates for private impounds (requests by property owners) are not regulated. However, we are required to register them with the WSP, who monitor them for excess. (http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/430234.pdf)

these rates vary from company to company but generally, this rate more accurately reflects the cost of impounding and processing the large number of abandoned and derelict vehicles in our state.

My personal rate for private impounds is:
$175.00 per hour, and $45.00 per day storage.
(http://www.billstowing.net/redeem.htm)

Here is another companies rates:
http://www.silverdale-towing.com/redeem.htm

You might also find the RCW 46.55 (Revised Code of Washington), and the WAC 204.91A (Washington Administrative Code) helpful. They are the towing rules and reg. for Washington.
Thanks for the information.  That's close to what I was looking at setting, actually a little less.
I've filled in more rates above. Sounds like you've got gouging problems, and an unenviable task ahead. Good luck.  :)
WOW thats GREAT that you are asking these questions.!!!
Setting the rates are very serious ...

I would recomend that you put in there a cost of living increase 3% to 5% each year..To help with inflation...
We (broward county FLA ) went for almost 10 years with out a increase...Seems once its set they forget about it(us)

Are you just setting rates?? or also rules ??
As for rates

Light duty $175 hr  Flatbed $190
MD  $210 hr Flatbed  $225
Heavy duty $350 hr

Storage after 6 hours $30 light duty up to $50 for heavy

Admin should be $40 plus actual cost,,stamps,standing in line,paper ,office,ect..Lien fees...

After hour release fee Atleast $50 maybe more...

Temper fee $25 for every F bomb....LOL I wish....
according to what i have seen on txdots web site (motor carrier division ) depends on what county you are in , the more companies the less the charge the less the companies the more the charge. go to www.txdot.com look for motor carrier division and start looking at the wrecker company names in your county, (you will have to enter a city or county), they have to file there icc number and name  with the state on threre non-consent tow fees, it might give you a little info. here in bexar county anwhere from 50 to 150.
comal county 185 on up
guadalupe county same or more or less.
austin area DONT GET TOWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are the minimum insurance requirements for Wa?
And any recommendations for a insurance provider?
I was hoping to get $250 for a Lt. $400 for Med. $600 to $1000 for
a hvy. I was gong to only specialize in PPI.
Thanks
Ken
Wow. Do you feel that $250 is a reasonable fee for an impound? When it goes to court (and it will) the judge will ask the same question.
jason one thing you do have to remember is ppi are alot more risk than standard tows. the equipment requirements ie type of equipment used much more expensive. then you have your insurance costs. costs for your facility ie cameras security on scene 24/7 etc.etc. the cost isnt just the tow but all the costs rolled into the tow. Legal fees etc. because when you do alot of ppi work you have alot more fees that will be paid out to courts and attorneys. as well as your insurance provider. general liability is way more expensive as well as the garage keepers coverage. other than that im out to tow in some more :drivin: and if they dont pay to get em out off to the scrap yard then court for balance of fees owed we go. :happydance:
Steve, I understand that completely.

However there is a reasonable rate for "services rendered" including the additional risk.

Honestly in looking at the rates listed it's screaming at me "I'm going to charge this because the owner has no choice but to pay". I'm assuming the rates listed are "per tow" and not "per hour".

It may very well be a moot point, I suspect that (according to Bill's post above) the WSP may not approve the rates.

Out of curiosity, how much time would be billed for a PPI? I'm kind of confused how you ensure that a tower accurately charges for their time.

*On edit* if that $250 is per hour then I can see that since you would probably be looking at roughly $80 - $120 (20 - 30 minutes) per car depending on how long it takes to load and take back to impound.

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