Towing of Motor Vehicles Scheme

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial assistance or reimbursement for the costs of towing and limited storage for the recovery of a stolen vehicle you must:

• be a resident of Queensland.

Financial assistance may apply in the following circumstances:

• a vehicle is uninsured

• a vehicle is insured and

  - an insurance claim is not approved, or
  - an individual does not proceed with a claim, or
  - if a claim is submitted, and the out-of-pocket expenses paid exceed the benefit paid by the insurer, expenses will be covered up to the cost of the initial tow.

Under special circumstances, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) may provide additional financial assistance for vehicle recovery.
 

How the Scheme works

Individuals will be provided financial assistance for towing and limited storage costs, through either:

• a tow provider invoicing the QPS directly;
• if insurance applies, a tow provider invoicing the insurance company directly; or
• an application in writing for reimbursement to the QPS, if a payment has been made directly to a tow provider (see below section ‘financial reimbursement’).

The scheme does not cover:

• costs generally covered by vehicle insurance, such as breakdown towing fees or compensation for any damage to a stolen vehicle.
• situations where you have already been compensated for the costs of towing and storage for your recovered stolen vehicle.
• financial losses resulting from a police officer exercising their powers. In these circumstances, you can apply in writing for assessment and compensation where applicable.
   

Financial Reimbursement

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to financial reimbursement in the following situations: 

• if you paid a tow provider directly for towing and storage;
• if your out-of-pocket expenses paid exceed the benefit paid by the insurer, reimbursement is capped at the cost of the initial tow.

Note: The maximum fees recoverable are outlined in the Tow Truck Regulation 2024 published on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website. This scheme does not replace the existing towing arrangements between providers and the QPS.

All applications for financial reimbursement must include the following documentation:

• Vehicle details:  Year, Make, Model and Registration Number
• Invoice and payment receipt
• Bank details: account name, BSB and account number
• Statutory declaration confirming that no financial benefit has been received from a third party (e.g., from an insurance company)
• Deed of Indemnity or Release and Discharge (if applicable)

Provide this information by email to: Towing.State@police.qld.gov.au. We require sufficient information in your application to determine your entitlement for reimbursement. We may need to ask for more information.

Incomplete documentation or inadequate information may delay application processing.
 

Abandoned Vehicles

In some cases, abandoned vehicles may qualify for towing under the scheme, however, this does not replace existing local council regulations under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021, regarding the removal of abandoned vehicles.

For more information refer to the Ministerial Statement on the Towing of Motor Vehicles Scheme.

Contact details

For further inquiries, please email: towing.state@police.qld.gov.au.