You know the story…You are walking toward the last place you parked your vehicle and you notice it’s not there. It’s the worst feeling. Your first question is, “Was my car towed or stolen?” This article will give you all the information you need to find out if your car was towed and how to locate an impounded vehicle.
Maybe you parked “for just a quick minute” in an area clearly marked with a “No Parking: Vehicles Will Be Towed At Owner’s Expense” sign. Unfortunately, you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that “quick minute” resulted in a towed vehicle.
Maybe you didn’t have the required parking sticker or didn’t even realize you were in a no-parking zone. Regardless of the reason, non-consensual vehicle tows can range from an illegally parked vehicle tow to a vehicle recovery / repossession due to non-payment.
Always be aware of No Parking signs and other important indicators that could put your vehicle at risk of being towed. Your car will invite towing if you park next to a fire hydrant or obstruct traffic in any way. Here are some additional reasons why your car may have been towed.
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Why Was My Car Towed?
There are multiple reasons why your car may have been towed.
Here are a few scenarios:
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You parked in a clearly marked tow-away zone.
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The way you parked obstructs the flow of traffic.
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You parked near a fire hydrant, which is unlawful in every state.
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You parked in an area reserved for vehicles with parking stickers or other proof of authorization.
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You parked in a way that blocks other vehicles in the parking area.
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You parked in a public location for an extended period and triggered an abandoned vehicle tow.
Non Consensual Towing In Florida
Many Floridians have experienced at least one non-consensual tow in their lifetime, and it can be pretty stressful when this happens. A non-consensual tow is defined as any type of vehicle tow that was not initiated by the vehicle’s owner.
Was My Car Towed? How to Find Out
The first major point of stress when a vehicle is non-consensually towed is the fact that the vehicle’s owner often has no idea what to do next. In fact, depending on the vehicle’s make, model and value, the owner may be wondering if the vehicle has been towed or stolen.
Your local sheriff’s office (non emergency number) has the answers to your questions.
Where Was My Car Towed?
Locating a towed vehicle is not as difficult as you would think. Here are the fastest ways to find out:
Look for signage that identifies a tow-away zone. There will be information about the towing company on the sign.
Check with the local businesses close to the area where you were parked.
Call the non-emergency number of your local police department or sheriff’s office.
Was My Car Towed? Who to Call
The most reliable option when trying to locate an impounded vehicle is to make a call to the non-emergency line of your county’s sheriff’s office. Every non-consensual tow is documented with the police department and they will be able to provide you with the exact company and location details.
A tow company is required to notify the sheriff’s office within 30 minutes after they have delivered your vehicle to their storage facility.
Non Emergency Police Phone Numbers for SW Florida
Always call the non-emergency number of your local police department or sheriff’s office for information on your vehicle’s location.
Lee County Florida Non-Emergency Phone Numbers
Lee County Sheriff’s Office – 239-477-1000
Cape Coral Police Department – 239-574-3223
Fort Myers Police Department – 239-321-7700
Hendry County Florida Non-Emergency Phone Numbers
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (LaBelle) – 863-674-5600
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (Clewiston) – 863-805-5000
Collier County Florida Non-Emergency Phone Numbers
Collier County Sheriff’s Office – 239-252-9300
Naples Police Department – 239-213-4844 or 239-213-3000
Marco Island Police Department – 239-389-5050
Charlotte County Florida Non-Emergency Phone Numbers
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (Punta Gorda & Port Charlotte) – 941-639-2101 Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (Englewood) – 941-474-3233
Punta Gorda Police Department- 941-639-4111
North Port Police Department – 941-429-7300
Florida Highway Patrol Non-Emergency Phone Number
Florida Highway Patrol – 239-344-1730
Laws Regarding Non-Consensual Vehicle Towing in Florida
Anyone towing a vehicle in Florida without the consent of the owner must strictly comply with the requirements of Fla. Stat. § 715.07. This law only applies to non-consensual towing from private property, not to towing requested by the police. These requirements are the minimum standards in the state of Florida and the law only protects vehicles from towing without consent of the owner while they are on private property.
The law does not apply to cases in which police request an automobile to be moved when it is obstructing traffic or otherwise creating an obstruction or unsafe situation, nor does it apply to tows requested by a governmental entity.
Affordable Towing Service in Florida
Let’s talk about towing services that ARE consensual. How do you know which local towing service to call?
A breakdown that requires roadside assistance or a trip behind a tow truck is stressful enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about the potential cost involved as well. Cape Coral Towing and Recovery is your reliable and affordable choice for vehicle delivery and emergency roadside assistance.
If you’re in need of vehicle delivery (not involving emergency towing or roadside assistance) you can always call us for a prompt estimate on the delivery. With Cape Coral Towing and Recovery there are no hidden fees. We don’t like to find additional, unexpected charges on our invoices and we know our clients don’t either.
Cape Coral Towing & Recovery has over 30 years experience serving the SW Florida community. We are here for you!
