National Insurance Crime Bureau Issues Statement Commending Senate Committee for Passing Towing Legislation

DES PLAINES, Illinois, Feb. 8 -- The National Insurance Crime Bureau issued the following statement by Government Affairs Director Howard Handler in response to the Senate Transportation Committee's passage of towing legislation (S.B. 2384):

"Unfortunately, Hawaii is one of several states where we are seeing an uptick in rogue tow truck drivers arriving, unsolicited, at the scene of an accident and presenting themselves as an immediate solution to moving your vehicle from the scene. Many drivers, understandably shaken by the experience, might agree to the tow without thinking of the consequences. Unfortunately, that is often too late. Once they get your vehicle on the hook and tow it to the storage yard you can be "on the hook" for thousands of dollars in towing and storage fees before you get your vehicle back.

"This bill is a step in the right direction requiring towers to provide, prior to an accident scene tow, a written estimate. Without a written estimate, some towers have been known to charge motorists or their insurers exorbitant fees, in the many thousands of dollars, for a few-mile tow, and hold the car hostage (with incurring storage fees) until it is paid.

"NICB will continue to work with lawmakers in the House and Senate to stop this type of abuse on consumers."