Towing Issues: Witholding plates and property, tow truck driver, storage fees

Question
My car was recently totaled, other driver cited. There have been delays resolving the insurance settlement. The tow yard owner would not let me collect my plates or personal property until the tow/storage fees (covered by insurance) are paid. Insurance agent says he can't do this; he can keep the car, but not the rest. Storage is now accruing against me since the adjuster signed off the car as totaled. Insurance is making me do all the running around, hard to do with no car. Who's right?

Answer
Well, I hate to say this, but some states have laws where the contents of the vehicle, and plates are part of the vehicle and as such can be withheld until towing and storage fees are paid... Not knowing what state you are in does not help answer this question, but in defense of the towing company, they would want to hold onto the vehicle until they have been paid for services rendered..

Now the insurance issue here, is your car fully covered for insurance or just the required minimum that most people have.  Full coverage means the insurance company pays towing and storage fees and repairs to the vehicle, minimum means you are responsible for towing and storage fees..  That is a big key in this answer...

Talk to the tow yard and discuss your insurance coverage with them, as they can honestly help you get this solved.. Insurance companies (at least in my experience as a tow truck driver) do not want to pay any thing at all, and just want to collect money from vehicle owners..  They will tell you most anything..

Worst or best case possible here is for you to pay the towing fees and have the vehicle taken to your home so you can get what ever you want and deal with the insurance companies... Since there are 2 of them involved they will keep passing the buck around till it becomes a nightmare.