Many Americans aren’t aware of the fact that there are actually many rules which towing companies must follow.

Regardless of any other context, if your car was parked in a legal parking spot, you probably have some recourse.

To avoid an unnecessary waste of time, money, or both, it’s good to know your rights when it comes to your vehicle being towed. First of all, one thing many people don’t realize is that you have the right to get your car back within an hour, provided you reach out within the first 24 hours of being towed. It’s written into law that there must always be someone available during the stated business hours of a towing company. They are also obligated to help you, even outside of business hours, and you should be able to get your car back within an hour.

Next, contrary to popular belief, towing companies are not mandated by law to insist you pay them in cash. In fact, towing companies are obligated to accept major credit and debit cards, and they cannot charge you more for choosing to pay with a method other than cash.

Lastly, in many states, including Colorado, towing companies are obligated to offer a ‘drop fee’ should you show up while the car is being hooked up. The drop fee may vary, but the result of paying it should always be that the company unhooks your car and leaves it where it was for you to get in and drive off. The charges may vary by weight and by state, but for personal vehicles, the drop fee should typically be in the 2-figure range.