Michigan Towing Laws › Fees & Rates
Why prices vary so much between companies, and what’s normal to be charged for a tow in Southwest Michigan.
Unlike some states, Michigan does not cap or set towing rates at the state level. Rates are determined by each individual towing company, which is why prices for what looks like the same job can vary by 40–60% between companies. There’s no statewide price sheet to check against — what you’re quoted is what that specific company charges.
Base charge for the truck showing up and loading your vehicle.
Mileage charge added on top of the hookup fee.
Extra cost for a flatbed vs. wheel-lift, since flatbeds protect AWD and low-clearance vehicles.
Night, weekend, and holiday calls often run higher than daytime rates.
Daily charge while a vehicle sits at the impound lot — often the most profitable part of the bill for the company, and the fastest to add up for you.
Charge to release a vehicle already hooked up but not yet towed. Michigan has no statute governing this specifically.
Loaded-miles billing (you pay only for distance the vehicle is on the truck) versus portal-to-portal billing (you pay from the company’s lot and back) can create a big gap between quotes for the exact same job. Urban Michigan companies more often use loaded-miles pricing; rural areas lean toward portal-to-portal. Always ask which method a company uses before agreeing to a tow.
If you’re dispatched through AAA or another motor club, the rate is often set by the club’s contract with the towing company, not negotiated on the spot. Calling a company directly typically means faster service and a price the company quotes you up front. See our guide on motor club dispatch for how that routing works.
Ask for an itemized receipt before you pay — it should break down hookup, mileage, storage days, and any additional fees separately. Because Michigan doesn’t cap rates, an “overcharge” complaint usually centers on undisclosed fees or a rate that wasn’t communicated up front, not the rate itself being illegal. The Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division handles complaints involving deceptive billing practices.
No. Michigan does not set a rate cap. Prices are set by each company, which is why it pays to ask for a quote before agreeing to a tow when you have the option.
Typically yes, storage continues to accrue daily regardless of a dispute in progress, which is part of why claiming a vehicle quickly matters even if you plan to contest the tow afterward.
Call (269) 925-9573 and we’ll give you a straightforward quote based on your vehicle, location, and distance before any truck is dispatched.
Call (269) 925-9573 — we’ll quote you before dispatching, no surprise fees.