Police towed our car from outside our house - now we have to pay?

suited-aces

somech wrote: »

i will look at this from a recovery agent point (which i did for 5 years)

2 questions:

Do the owners of these firms have a choice whether or not the enter this industry?

Do the owners of said car, as in OP's case, have a choice as to whether or not they deal with this industry?

scarlet74

I just wanted to thank everyone (well almost everyone) for your kind reponses. As I said, my other half has only been driving for six months or so and I have never driven, so we have absolutely no idea what the procedure is. I hope I haven't come on here ranting, but I won't pretend that I'm happy about the cost, esecially since the car only cost a little over £100 in the first place! Everybody we know thinks it is a bit unusual too, which is why I came on here to ask advice. I didn't think the question would be so divisive, but this is MSE after all...

Thanks once again everyone - and if anybody is looking for a Fiat Punto with a slightly bent door and a smashed window, you know where I am!

missile

maninthestreet wrote: »

It was towed for one of the following reasons:

"the vehicle had either been causing an obstruction or danger, or had been abandoned."

None of these reasons seems to apply here.

Last week, I reported two vehicles which appear to be abandoned. Both have no road tax and one is on bricks! They are still there

drew2k9

missile wrote: »

Last week, I reported two vehicles which appear to be abandoned. Both have no road tax and one is on bricks! They are still there

yeah sounds like the local police in the OP's area are on the ball with response times, there was a car abandoned near my house for over two months and nothing was done about it until a local homeless person decided to live in it (it wasnt even locked).

i think the main thing is, weather the charges are right or not (i would argue they are unfair, but thats my opinion) you are just going to have to bite the bullet and claim back the costs from the insurance.

if the car had been left and further damage done, fire etc, then you would have had to inform the police and insurance company anyway, so its just a bit of a roundabour way of the same proceedure.

unfortunately it will hit your no claims, but loosing 6 months no claims is less of a problem than a couple of years.

hope it all works out eventually.

somech

suited-aces wrote: »

2 questions:

Do the owners of these firms have a choice whether or not the enter this industry?

Do the owners of said car, as in OP's case, have a choice as to whether or not they deal with this industry?

with regards question 1
most firms have been in the industry for 20 years plus when the breakdown clubs and insurance companys paid a good rate for their services the majority used to small garages with 1-2 trucks but as work increased the recovery side took over.
the problem they face is the breakdown and insurance industry has become so cut throat that they have'nt seen a rate increase for a number of years.
in the old days the police used a number of local garages to recover cars but around 15 years ago they wanted a more proffesional service which is now run by the AA in most regions hence why they pay a managment fee for all jobs wether the recovery op gets paid or not.
i do feel for the car owner and if he writes to the police they have been known to cover costs. with regards abandoned cars this is really a council issue unless they police force in those areas have joined the fire prevention scheme.
sorry if i appeared to be ranting in earlier posts am just seeing this from the recovery operators pont of view:)