<

Towing companies and their employees need to be there for us. They also need to be fairly compensated. After all, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, occupational injury and fatalities among tow truck drivers — are more than two times the national average for all industries.

All states require towing companies to be licensed and insured; however, there is no guidelines concerning the prices they charge leaving some drivers with tow-shocked.

With no guidelines comes news of a $4500 tow job! Maine-ly Towing of Richmond, Maine has taken towing cost and improper towing practices to an all time low or better yet an all time high.

They charged nearly $5,000 to a Richmond, Maine family for towing their 97 Saturn worth $3,500.

While New Jersey is notorious for high tow bills – and has cracked down on not so smart towing companies abusing their authority and recently fined three tow companies for improper practices. Under New Jersey’s anti-predatory towing law, tow companies are not permitted to troll for vehicles parked without authorization, or to refuse an insurance company check or debit card, credit card for towing or storage services. Others government agencies including Pittsburgh City Councilman Mr. Shields are introducing bills regulating towing companies to make sure they don’t overcharge or otherwise exploit motorists. And even Seattle, Washington lawmaker’s recommend capping towing-company rates.

The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation Commissioners has established limits on towing fees for cars towed from private property without the car owners permission. The maximum towing fees for a average passenger car vehicle is $250 with the drop fee still on property at $125 and heavier vehicles such as tractor trailers is $450 per unit with a drop fee still on property at $225 per unit, $500 maximum.

Law enforcement uses towing companies at length. In urban areas, a single towing company could tow up to 100 vehicles a day. The fee for each tow, plus storage charges, generates large amounts of revenue. After towing your vehicle the tow company is granted lawful, though temporary, possession of your car.

Conversely, if the owner doesn‘t take the needed steps, a dishonest towing business may utilize this provisional ownership to gain permanent title to your vehicle legally or illegally. When this occurs, the towing business can sell your car and receive a much larger profit separately from their towing and storage fees.

In most metropolitan and rural areas there’s really no safety measures in place to oversee the disposition of towed vehicles.

Share