Loss & Recovery Costs
Storage Charges
Storage invoices from body shops, tow yards, and salvage facilities can inflate quickly, administrative fees, environmental surcharges, non-market per-diem rates, extended holds. We audit the invoice, benchmark against local market and state regulatory caps, and document which charges are recoverable from the at-fault party.
Rate benchmarks + state caps
National per-diem storage rates typically run $25 to $75/day depending on facility type, region, and vehicle size. Some states cap rates statutorily; others leave it to local market.
| State | Statutory rate / cap |
|---|---|
| California | $35 to $45/day (Bureau of Automotive Repair guidance); CHP-approved rates for private-property tow |
| Texas | $22.85/day (vehicles ≤25 ft); $39.99/day (>25 ft) per Vehicle Storage Facility rules (2024) |
| New York | $35/day (passenger <4,500 lbs); $50/day (heavy 10,000, 18,000 lbs) per proposed 2025 regs |
| Florida / Illinois / Colorado | Typical market range $25 to $40/day (not statutory caps) |
| Metro premiums | NYC, LA, SF Bay: $50 to $75/day. Rural: $20 to $35/day. Indoor climate-controlled: 25 to 50% premium. |
Common inflation patterns
Undisclosed admin fees
$15 to $50 per vehicle, often charged per transaction or per day without disclosure.
Environmental surcharges
"$10 to $25/day" with no basis in vehicle type or actual environmental handling.
Facility maintenance surcharge
Variable, sometimes 10 to 15% of base rate, rarely justified.
Key / gate card fees
Charged separately from per-diem for routine access.
After-hours release fees
$25 to $75 for vehicle retrieval outside standard business hours.
Double-day billing
Charging both entry and release day as full days when released same-day.
Partial-day as full day
Charging a half-day stay as a full day without actual-hours documentation.
Post-authorization delay
Continuing charges after carrier authorized release, due to facility-caused delay.
Who pays, and for how long
Insured's own carrier (collision coverage)
If the insured carries collision coverage: carrier pays reasonable storage during covered loss. For total losses, carrier pays through settlement date plus 3 to 5 business days for vehicle transfer / title work (state-dependent).
At-fault carrier (third-party liability)
Liable for ordinary and reasonable storage charges caused by the at-fault party's negligence. Burden on claimant to prove reasonableness (local market rate, not inflated). No obligation beyond reasonable settlement period.
Vehicle owner (post-settlement)
Once settlement is paid, owner responsible for all storage after settlement date, including delays caused by failure to authorize release or pick up salvage.
Lienholder complications
Mechanic's lien or storage lien can attach after unpaid charges. Insurance carriers must coordinate with lien holders to release vehicle; paying storage sometimes releases a lien.
Our audit methodology
Rate benchmarking
Call 3, 5 competing facilities in the same metro to confirm market rate. Cross-reference against state regulatory caps. Flag unexplained premiums >25% above local average.
Duration audit
Calculate total days held (inclusive). Map against tow date, estimate date, authorization date, settlement date. Isolate who caused each delay, carrier, facility, or owner.
Reasonableness threshold
Body shop: >10 days = red flag (3, 7 normal). Salvage: >5 days = red flag (1, 3 normal). Settlement hold: 5-day grace post-settlement is standard; >10 days requires documented reason.
Documentation audit
Verify storage ledger (date-in/date-out per day), release authorization, carrier communication trail, final invoice reconciliation. Missing documentation often reveals the inflation.
Subrogation determination
Separate recoverable charges (storage during accident-caused repair/hold) from non-recoverable (owner-caused delays, post-settlement). Document for subrogation counsel.
Storage bill to audit?
Submit the invoice and timeline. We follow up within one business day with the audit scope and fee.