Getting off the Hook of a Predatory Tow

Our research points to two broad issues facing consumers. First, an alarmingly high number of states have no protections spelled out on issues such as whether a consumer is entitled to an itemized bill, or a reimbursement if their car is damaged. In addition, too many states have inadequate protections, or the laws on the books are vague or overwrought and inaccessible to the average consumer. This needs to change.

Here are the 14 towing protections we reviewed:

Maximum rates for towing vehicles: Only about half of states set any kind of maximum fees for towing or storage of vehicles towed without the driver’s consent.

Maximum rates for storing vehicles: Only about half of states set any kind of maximum fees for towing or storage of vehicles towed without the driver’s consent.

Displaying rates: Only 14 states clearly require that towing companies display their rates, either on “tow away” signs or at their storage facility.

Driver notification: In 37 states, the towing company must notify the owner/ driver when their car has been towed and where it’s being stored.

Accept Credit Cards: Only 11 states clearly require towing companies to accept payment via credit card.

Private Property Signs: In 30 states, private property owners must display “tow-away” signs that are clearly visible from an area where a car may be towed.

Photo Evidence: Only four states require tow trucks to take a photograph of the car before moving it from its original location.

Release for Incomplete Tow: Tow truck drivers in 18 states must release your car at no charge or for a smaller “drop fee” if you return to your car before it has been completely removed from the property.

Set Hours for Recovery: Only nine states allow you to retrieve your car from storage 24/7, as long as you give notice. Additionally, 17 states require storage facilities to have set business hours during which your car must be accessible for pickup.

Access to Personal Items: In 20 states, the towing storage facility must allow you to access all personal items from your towed vehicle. Nine states only allow the retrieval of emergency items, such as keys, a wallet or medication.

Reimbursement for Illegal Tow: If you can prove that your car was towed illegally, you are eligible for a reimbursement in 27 states. In 17 of those states, you are entitled to damages in addition to reimbursement.

Reimbursement for Damages: If your vehicle is damaged during the towing or storage process, the towing company must reimburse the owner for damages in 23 states.

No Cruising for Cars: In 14 states, towing companies are strictly not allowed to patrol or scan for illegally parked cars. Itemized Bill: Towing companies must provide an itemized bill in 22 states, which gives consumers the opportunity to dispute any suspicious charges.

Itemized bill: In 22 states, towing companies must provid an itemized bill and give consumers the opportunity to dispute charges.

VIEW THE FULL REPORT

Losing a car through an illegal or legal tow can leave the owner stranded without another transportation option. Unfortunately, the vehicle may not be the only important possession lost in the process. Nobody expects to have their car towed, which means that a variety of items, both essential and nonessential, may be inaccessible in a locked storage yard. Whether someone left their bag, medication, wallet, phone or another item in the towed car, the options to get those back vary by state.

In 20 states, the towing storage facility must allow you to access all personal items from your towed vehicle. An additional nine states allow the retrieval of emergency items only. If consumers live in one of these states and the towing company insists they must pay the full fee for the release of their car before accessing their items, that is illegal and predatory behavior.

If you suspect your car has been towed illegally, but you’re not sure what actions to take, check out the full list of towing protections your state offers. Just as important, if you live in a state with very few towing protections, you should make your voice heard by contacting the offices of your governor and local elected leaders. Finally, to make the most of this information, here are the steps to take after your car has been towed.

1. Contact the local police department: Some states require towing companies to notify the police regarding any car that was towed for being parked illegally or any other reason that wasn’t at the driver’s request. A call to the local law enforcement’s non-emergency number can help you find your car quickly in those cases.
2. Review all charges: Read your bill very closely. Allowable rates and charges for towing vary significantly by state. Some locations set maximum rates, or prohibit charges for the first 24 hours of storage. Depending on the state, common unfair charges can include demanding a “drop fee” for releasing an incomplete tow, exceeding fixed rates, or charging extra to access personal items in your vehicle. You’ll want to make sure the charges match what you should really owe.
3. Dispute any damages: Every state has a department that’s responsible for addressing cases of predatory towing practices or damages to vehicles during the towing or storage process. In many states, you could receive a full reimbursement or even additional compensation for an illegal or careless tow.

An illegal tow and any predatory practices that follow can place significant financial burden onto consumers. The problem here is two-fold: The absence of protections leaves consumers vulnerable, while unclear or nonexistent laws further complicate the process, even if the tow is legal.

States must prioritize stronger towing laws

Several states have tried to pass stronger protections that safeguard consumers and their belongings when a car is towed. Some are still in the works, and others never made it to the finish line. In South Carolina, for example, a bill introduced in March 2020 would halt a towing company’s ability to charge storage fees until the vehicle owner has been notified. This bill would amend the original code from 1976. The bill remains in committee.

A 2019 Mississippi bill, which died in committee, would have amended code from 1972. Drivers whose cars are towed have virtually no protections now under any state laws.

While many cities have taken it upon themselves to update and strengthen towing laws, states need to step up as well.

Require displayed rates and itemized bills

Only half of states specifically require itemized towing bills. Even if a state does have explicit maximum towing and storage rates, those limits might not be readily available to someone retrieving their car from an impound lot. Without a required, itemized list of all towing, storage and other charges, a company could charge a lump sum with any number of extra fees tacked on.

An ideal standard would require state maximum rates, a clear display of those rates at the storage facility and an itemized bill reflecting those rates, provided to vehicle owners at the time they retrieve their car. Not only would this increase accountability between towing companies and consumers, but the overhead of providing this service is next to nothing for all companies that are already charging fair and reasonable prices.

Unlimited access to all items in towed vehicles

After a car is towed, the loss of transportation presents huge roadblocks for the car owner. These obstacles should not be compounded by the loss of essential items in the vehicle as well. The bill for retrieving a towed vehicle may be steep or altogether out of the owners’ budget, and while the vehicle remains locked up, all the personal items inside shouldn’t be. In any case where a consumer cannot immediately pay the charges to retrieve their car, they should be able to access all personal belongings inside that vehicle, free of charge during normal business hours. This includes their phone, keys, wallet, medications, personal documents and any other item that they consider important to redeem.