The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) documented an 89% increase in predatory towing complaints between 2022 and 2024. Bills range from $2,000 to $14,000. And the tactics being used to generate those bills are increasingly sophisticated.
This isn't your mechanic overcharging for an oil change. Predatory towing is an organized scheme that exploits some of the most vulnerable moments drivers face — right after a crash, when you're shaken, possibly injured, and not in a position to make careful decisions.
How Predatory Towing Works
The most common setup involves scanner monitoring. Tow operators — or their scouts — listen to police and emergency radio frequencies for accident reports. They arrive at the scene before the vehicle owner has chosen a tow service, sometimes before emergency responders, and position themselves as the default option.
Once your car is on the hook, you have almost no leverage. Towing companies operate under a combination of state and local regulations that often lack price caps. They can charge per mile, per hour, for storage by the day, for administrative fees, for special equipment — and once your car is in their lot, you may not be able to recover it without paying first.
The scheme often doesn't stop at the tow. Many predatory towing operations have arrangements with specific body shops. Your car gets delivered to that shop — not the one you would have chosen — and the shop relationship generates additional revenue for both parties.
"By the time you find out where your car ended up, you may owe $2,000 just to get it back before the actual repair even starts."
The Numbers
The NICB data covers claims where predatory towing was suspected or confirmed as part of an insurance fraud scheme. The 89% increase over two years reflects both more incidents and improved reporting — but either way, the trend is moving in the wrong direction.
Bills in the $2,000–$14,000 range for towing and storage are increasingly common in cases documented by the NICB. These aren't repair costs. That's just to recover your vehicle and store it for a few days.
Florida as a Model for Protections
Florida enacted legislation specifically targeting predatory towing practices, including:
- Caps on towing and storage fees for non-consensual tows
- Required disclosure of rates before a vehicle is towed
- Limitations on how far a vehicle can be towed without owner consent
- Right to recover a vehicle at any time, including nights and weekends
Other states are moving in similar directions, but coverage is inconsistent. Knowing your state's towing laws before you need them is worth 20 minutes of research.
How to Protect Yourself After a Crash
If you're in a crash and someone approaches you about towing:
- Do not agree to anything immediately. You have the right to choose your tow service.
- Call your roadside assistance provider first — AAA, your insurer, or your automaker's roadside program. They have vetted providers.
- Get the tow company's name and license number before agreeing to anything.
- Ask for rates in writing — per mile, storage per day, any other fees — before your car is moved.
- Tell them which shop to deliver to. You have the right to direct your vehicle to a shop of your choosing.
- Contact your insurance company before authorizing a tow to an unfamiliar shop. Many policies give you a preferred network.
EthicalMechanic.org helps you find repair shops and mobile mechanics you can trust before you need them urgently. One of the best defenses against predatory towing is already knowing where you want your car to go — so when someone shows up at an accident scene offering to take it somewhere else, you can say no with confidence.
The 89% increase in claims is a warning sign. Don't wait until you're standing on the side of a road to figure out your options.