Missouri mechanic prevents car from being towed — by a company just fined $7.1M for predatory towing. How to avoid having your car being held hostage

Incidents like this underscore the risks Missouri drivers face in a state where consumer protections around towing are inconsistent and poorly enforced. Whether it’s an illegally parked car or a vehicle involved in an accident, the wrong tow can turn into a financial and legal nightmare.

Predatory towing is drawing fresh scrutiny nationwide, and with reason. It’s a practice known to exploit drivers through inflated rates, unsolicited arrivals at accident scenes, unauthorized removals and refusal to release vehicles or cargo within a reasonable timeframe, leaving drivers in a bind.

Across the country, predatory tows can involve impounding vehicles, piling on dubious “administrative fees” and using pressure tactics at chaotic accident scenes to obtain a driver’s signature, effectively voiding any protections that might apply to nonconsensual tows. According to a 2023 report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), nearly 30% of crash-related tows involve some form of predatory billing.

The issue cuts across class lines, hitting truck drivers, everyday commuters and accident victims alike. In the absence of strong state laws, knowing your rights may be your best defense.

What you can do about predatory towing

Missouri is one of 18 states that require written authorization from property owners before vehicles are towed from private lots. The state also prohibits unsolicited towing on highways. But those protections can be shaky in practice.

Missouri lacks statewide caps on towing rates and doesn’t require towing companies to itemize charges on their invoices, meaning drivers often don’t know what they’re paying for until after they’ve paid it.

When dealing with a tow, always ask for a written invoice and do not sign anything under pressure. If your vehicle was towed from private property, request to see the written authorization from the property owner. In cases involving an accident, remember: you may have the right to request your own towing provider, but only if it doesn’t delay clearance or pose a safety risk.

Avoiding predatory towing scams: Know before you park

The best defense is preparation. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Know your state’s laws before you need them: Understand where you can and cannot legally park and where your vehicle may be susceptible to a tow.
• Read the signs: If parking on private property, look for clearly posted towing notices. If none exist, a tow may be illegal.
• Don’t rush into consent: If your vehicle is towed after a crash, don’t sign anything at the scene unless you’ve confirmed it won’t waive your rights. This is especially important if law enforcement called the tow.
• Take photos: Snap pictures of your vehicle’s location, any signage and the condition of the car before and after towing. This can help dispute inflated charges or wrongful tows.
• Ask for an itemized invoice ahead of time: If the tow operator can’t or won’t provide one, that’s a red flag.
• Contact your insurer: Some policies include towing coverage. Insurers often have experience negotiating unreasonable fees and may be able to get your vehicle released more quickly.

If you do fall victim to a predatory tow, file a complaint with your state’s Attorney General’s office and consider reaching out to a consumer protection attorney. In some cases, you can post a bond to retrieve your car while disputing the bill in court.