Towing Issues: storage charges, storage charges, claims case

Question
I got a call from our local Sheriff's dept. to tow a stolen farm disc.  we got it
to our shop, and the Sheriff's dept and I tried to locate the owner.  There was
no vehicle serial number or anything on this piece of farm equipment to help
locate the owner.  The insurance company called yesterday, and refuses to
pay any storage charges saying that the owner was not notified right away
that we had the equipment,therefore it is not legal to charge them storage.  
We exhausted all options for locating the owner, as did the Sheriff Dept.
The nationally known insurance company is willing to pay for the recovery of
the disc, but not the storage .  Do you agree with this?

Answer
Rick,

You're being bullied for sure. The sheriff can corroborate your story, though you don't need it. If repeated attempts to collect don't get you anywhere. Maybe you should then accept the payment under dispute and inform the insurance co. that you will file a small claims case.

Donald
Beaverton Towing