tow = $$$
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
tow = $$$
had a question for everyone. two years ago i hit a deer and crashed. bike was 11 feet off roadway in nice level smooth grass. two people could have walked it back on the road. cops called tow company and they towed bike 6 miles and had the bike a total of 12 hours. the fee ? $630.00 ! this has bothered me along time and i'm thinking about calling the news station and see if they would address the stealing these ****** are doing. i was in the hospital with no say so of what was going on. they took avantage of my wife. it's hard to let this go. maybe i'll just go down and break ll the windows out of the building or better yet give him a good beating with a bat. i'm getting back one way or the other.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Likes: 21
From: Hickory, NC
In many places the towing companies get on a contract list from Law Enforcement and tow for a minimum fee plus mileage. It's generally a better idea to call for a tow yourself if possible.
I'm not saying what you paid is reasonable, but the cost may be the contract fee + storage + mileage.
I'm not saying what you paid is reasonable, but the cost may be the contract fee + storage + mileage.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 164
Likes: 22
From: Earth
There is always a predator waiting to feed off someone's misfortune. My brother slid off the road in his truck and hit 3 posts in a barb wire fence. Land owner sent him a bill for almost $1600. Literally had a line about time spent herding his cattle away from the opening.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,816
Likes: 38,658
From: Post Falls, ID
The fee is high because the tow company expects the insurance to pay the bill. Go to the tow company and negotiate a lower fee if you pay cash.
btw, those fees are approved by the local elected government body, city coucil, board of supervisors etc.
btw, those fees are approved by the local elected government body, city coucil, board of supervisors etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 656
Likes: 115
From: Florida
The cops should have asked you if you had a preference for a tow service. If you didn't care, or you couldn't be asked then they have to go by a contracted rotation list.
Is your insurance company paying? If so then why worry about it? If they are not paying then the earlier suggestion about getting the tow company to reduce the charge is a good way to go.
My buddy and I have a agreement. If I need a tow within a reasonable distance of my home for the bike he will grab my trike trailer and come and get it. Same goes for him if he needs the tow. Some cops investigating the crash will go along with this when it comes to bikes and some won't. When I was working the road I generally did if the victim's buddy could get to the scene in a timely manner and the crashed bike wasn't blocking traffic.
Is your insurance company paying? If so then why worry about it? If they are not paying then the earlier suggestion about getting the tow company to reduce the charge is a good way to go.
My buddy and I have a agreement. If I need a tow within a reasonable distance of my home for the bike he will grab my trike trailer and come and get it. Same goes for him if he needs the tow. Some cops investigating the crash will go along with this when it comes to bikes and some won't. When I was working the road I generally did if the victim's buddy could get to the scene in a timely manner and the crashed bike wasn't blocking traffic.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 40
From: Joliet IL
The PD I work for has a contract with various tow companies. They are on a rotation list. The cost is a flat $160. Storage fees apply if you leave it there to long though.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Was the bill itemized? Sounds like you were charged towing and possibly storage fees. Sounds extremely high based on your description. Did they break the bill into different charges or all just on lump sum. I would for sure question that bill- find out what the going rate for towing a m/c 6 miles is, and what minimum storage fees are. I would expect a tow like that to be under $200 and perhaps $50 for storage- max.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
they didn't have the bike for 12 hours. i was expecting a charge of $200 just burns my *** to think they took advantage of my wife. i'm going to bring this to the attention of the news here i think. out and out robbery is what it is. we are leaning towards a good old fashion *** beating too.