The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), the Illinois Insurance Association (IIA), and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) support the new towing proposal by Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) to combat rogue towing in Chicago. The new proposal builds upon the ordinance that was introduced by Villegas and passed by the Chicago City Council […]
San Francisco Tow Company Operator Indicted in Scheme to Burn Competitors’ Tow Trucks
Defendant allegedly conspired to set fire to tow trucks to drive business to his towing companies and to retaliate against competitors. A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Vicente Badillo on one count of conspiracy to commit arson in connection with an alleged scheme to burn tow trucks throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in […]
California Department of Insurance Warns Drivers about Tow Truck Drivers Holding Vehicles Hostage in Southern California
Warning follows arraignment of 16 residents in alleged auto insurance fraud ring involving body shop. Yesterday, the California Department of Insurance issued a public service announcement (PSA) with a warning for California drivers about an increase in scams involving tow truck companies targeting car accident victims where vehicles are being held hostage for cash. The […]
Bosch Acquires Roadside Protect
Acquisition expands roadside assistance presence in North America. Bosch Service Solutions has acquired Roadside Protect, Inc., a U.S.-based provider of towing and roadside administration services. The acquisition, finalized on January 31, expands Bosch’s presence in the North American roadside assistance market by adding access to Roadside Protect’s network of more than 12,000 towing partners in […]
California BAR Workshop on Proposed Storage and Towing Fees Regulation July 18
The Bureau of Automotive Repair will hold its second workshop on the proposed regulations. The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) announced it will host a second public workshop to discuss proposed regulations on storage and towing fees on July 18. The workshop will be held after the conclusion of the July BAR Advisory Group […]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Charges Tow Truck Operator with Theft and Insurance Fraud
Owner of towing business alleged to have inflated costs, charging 27 vehicle owners nearly $300,000 for short-trip tows. Attorney General Michelle Henry, along with the Allegheny County Police Department, announced charges against the owner of a Pittsburgh-based towing company for inflating tow costs by charging “accident services” fees and other deceptive practices. Vincent G. Fannick, […]
Towing and Recovery Association Responds to Federal Fee Regulation Proposal
The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA) has responded to a proposal by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulate heavy duty towing fees as part of its focus on “junk fees” charged by U.S. businesses. As CollisionWeek reported February 12, the FMCSA expressed strong support […]
U.S. Department of Transportation Urges Protection for Truckers Against Predatory Towing Fees
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressed strong support for trucker protections against predatory towing fees in a comment filed on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule banning junk fees. FMCSA’s comment outlines concerns with predatory towing junk fee practices that significantly increase costs for commercial motor vehicle owners […]
Insurers Supporting Legislation to Combat Predatory Towing Practices in Florida
The National Insurance Crime Bureau, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime, is helping lead the way to combat predatory towing practices in the Florida and recently took part in a transportation committee hearing in the Florida House of Representatives focused on this issue. “Once a vehicle is towed, the financial burden […]
Former Detroit Police Lieutenant in Charge of Integrity Unit Sentenced to 2 ½ Years in Prison for Taking Towing Referrals Bribes
A former police lieutenant in charge of the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with another Detroit police officer in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced April 18. Ison was joined in […]