‘Nonconsensual’ tows will cost drivers more after first price hike in decade – even as lawmakers claim it’s ‘reasonable’
RATES for nonconsensual tows have increased for American drivers – officials note inflation for the hike.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission raised nonconsensual tows by 33 percent, costing drivers $4.99 per mile.
GettyThe hikes took effect June 1[/caption]
Officials decided on 33 percent based on the Consumer Price Index, which is a measurement of how prices change over time.
The Corporation Commission’s transportation division and AAAA Wrecker Service, Inc. deemed the amount “reasonable,” The Oklahoman reported.
The hikes took effect June 1.
A three-member governing board decided to increase the rates.
The decision came after the transportation division, AAAA Wrecker Service and the Attorney General’s Office agreed that an increase was needed because of inflation.
A nonconsensual tow is when the person in charge of a car does not consent to or have knowledge of it being towed.
Under the increase, it costs car owners $4.99 per mile for 25 miles or less.
It costs $4.16 per mile for over 25 miles.
“This is only for when you’re in an accident and the trooper says, ‘Hey, I’m calling a wrecker to get you out of here,'” Skinner, a spokesman for Oklahoma Corporation Commission said.
“That’s a nonconsensual tow. You got to take what’s given [to] you.”
This hike is the first Commission-approved increase since 2012.
The rates were raised that year when lawmakers handed oversight responsibility of the industry to commissioners.
The Corporation Commission’s transportation division and AAAA Wrecker argued that there have been difficulties with gathering the data needed to show the need for rate changes.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
That’s why using the Consumer Price Index was suggested.
The Attorney General’s Office, which represented the community, did not oppose the rate increases.
It wasn’t any push back because of the time span since the last increase, Skinner explained.
The only thing the Attorney General’s Office didn’t support was the usage of Consumer Price Index as the only gauge.
Instead, it recommended the industry begin to gather resources so it could collect data.
The Commission received 87 towing complaints in 2023 and 35 so far this year.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings