AAA Car Insurance
5 Towing Horror Stories
People may think piracy is confined to history books or Somalia, but modern day pirates actively take possession of traveling vehicles and hold them for ransom in towns and cities all across America. These pirates operate within the limits of the law in most cases, often with police officers’ blessing if not outright collusion. Predatory truck drivers vigilantly stalk parking lots awaiting minor violations, and the following five examples illustrate the practice.
- Man is towed for failing to display tag sticker: In this case, John Covici parked in a guest spot at his girlfriend’s apartment building, which he had done many times. When John returned, his car was missing. After tracking down the missing vehicle, John insisted on an explanation since he was legally parked in a spot reserved for guests. The towing firm explained that his tag sticker was missing, which authorized the company to tow the vehicle. John had recently put golf clubs in the trunk, and knew the sticker was in place at that time. To get his car back, John had no choice but to pay the bill, but he now takes pictures with his cell phone of his tags whenever he parks.
- Five minutes is all the time these predators need: This story involves a young lady named Abby who parked in a spot she thought was legal. Abbie went to a restaurant, but changed her mind because there appeared to be a long line of waiting patrons. When Abbie returned within five minutes, her car was already raised on the back of the tow truck. Abbie explained she had only been gone five minutes, and the driver agreed, admitting he had watched her park her vehicle. The driver further explained that it would cost $160 for Abbie to retrieve her car from the impoundment lot, but he would release it now for half the price. The driver cheerfully drove Abbie across the street to the ATM.
- Consider a $1,400 bill for a short tow: In Seattle, a man driving a rental Subaru was involved in an accident. The car was on the side of the interstate, but a convenient tow truck happened along and pulled over. The man thought he had been blessed with good luck. The car was towed a few miles to a lot and later transported to a repair shop. The final bill was $1,788 for towing services. The first leg of the tow was assessed at $1,399 or $650 per hour. This rate would embarrass a corporate lawyer.
- Cars can even be towed from a vehicle owner’s own property: This example tops the list for predatory zeal. A car owner had an easement from a property management company to pass through their lot to get to his driveway. A new policy was instituted requiring permits in the lot, but the vehicle owner received no warning from the management firm. One morning both of the man’s vehicles were towed from his own property.
- Roanoke businessman buys parking lot across from new city museum and tows dozens of violators: Spanky Macher was a businessman in Roanoke, Virginia with a history of flamboyant controversy. A Roanoke lawyer claimed he was overcharged for towing and filed a lawsuit. The story came out that dozens of people visiting the museum had been towed for the slightest violation. The controversy made front-page news in Roanoke, and later Spanky was forced to give up his towing business. Readers may be happy to learn Spanky was indicted and convicted for income tax evasion.