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.