Tip #52: A private-property tow and a police-ordered tow are not the same thing
A private-property tow is ordered by the owner of a lot; a police-ordered tow is called by an officer. Neither is a tow you asked for. We do neither, and here is what each one means for you as the driver.
Tip #52 in one line
A private-property tow is ordered by the owner of a lot; a police-ordered tow is called by an officer. Neither is a tow you asked for. We do neither, and here is what each one means for you as the driver.
Stuck right now? Skip the reading and call.
Call nowThree kinds of tow, three different starting points
**A consensual tow** is one you ask for. Your car broke down or you were in a crash, you called a company, you agreed a price and a destination. That is the only kind of tow we do.
**A private-property tow** happens when the owner or manager of a parking lot, apartment complex or business has a car removed because it was parked without permission. The tow company works for the property, not for you. The car usually goes to that company's storage yard.
**A police-ordered tow** is called by an officer, typically because a car is disabled after a crash, is blocking traffic, has been abandoned, or has to be removed for another enforcement reason. The officer calls the company the town uses. The car goes to that company's yard, and release may involve the police department as well as the yard.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhy the difference matters to you
In a tow you call, you set the destination and you hear the price first. In the other two, you find out where the car went and what you owe after the fact, and you deal with storage and release steps at the yard. New Jersey regulates non-consensual towing, and you have the right to an itemized bill and to question charges you think are wrong.
If your car was towed and you did not call anyone, start by phoning the local police non-emergency line. They can usually tell you whether the car was towed and by whom.
When you get to the yard, ask for an itemized bill before you pay, and read every line. If a charge looks wrong, you can pay to get the car back and still question the charge afterwards; keep the receipt and write down who you spoke to. Photograph the car before you drive or tow it away, so any new damage is on record.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhat we can and cannot do
We do not tow from private lots for property owners, and we do not take police rotation calls. That keeps us on one side of the table: yours. Once a car has been released from a yard, we can move it to the shop or driveway you choose at our normal flat quoted price, a hook fee plus mileage.
If you are stranded and the car is still with you, call us first at (908) 444-0129. For a crash, read what to do after a collision before you need it, and see who decides which truck tows you.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowMore on towing rules & pricing
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which does your car need?
- What happens to your car after a police-ordered tow in New Jersey
- Towed from private property in New Jersey: your rights
- Towing pricing red flags in New Jersey
- Local tow company vs national roadside network: who actually shows up?
- Moving a car long distance from New Jersey: towing vs car carrier
- Tip #34: Choose the destination before the truck arrives: home, shop or dealer
- Tip #35: Ask the destination about storage charges before you pick it
- All posts
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