Next time you’re tempted to just go ahead and park in a tow-away zone, you might want to think twice about what it could mean to you, your car, your personal property and a lot more. You might also want to understand the full letter of the law when it comes to having your car towed, regardless of who ordered the towing or why it was taken in the first place.
Following several complaints about Michigan towing companies, Attorney General Dana Nessel today issued an updated consumer alert to better educate Michiganders on the state’s towing laws. The updated alert includes information and how to file a complaint about unlawful towing and unreasonable fees.
Nessel says today, “Having your car towed without your knowledge is not only disruptive, it’s expensive and creates all kinds of additional problems – financial and logistical. That’s why it’s important Michiganders know their rights.”
Nessel’s consumer alert outlines three common scenarios for towing a vehicle; at the direction of law enforcement; a private property owner; or the owner of the vehicle. For tows not done at the vehicle owner’s request, towing fees are typically set by an agreement between the police agency or private property owner and towing company. You should contact the agency that requested the towing to verify fees. If the vehicle is towed at the your request, you should check your insurance policy to see if it covers towing-related costs.
The updated alert issued today also includes information on:
- Michigan towing laws…
- Retrieving personal property from a towed vehicle…
- Redeeming a towed vehicle…
- Challenging a tow…
- Challenging the reasonableness of towing fees…
- Filing a towing complaint…
The Attorney General writes, “Michiganders have the right to challenge whether their vehicle was properly towed and the reasonableness of towing and storage fees,” and adds, “This alert helps provide residents with the information they need to make an informed and timely decision on how they can proceed.”
The Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received 10 towing-related complaints this year since January 1, 2019. Altogether last year, the department received 56 towing-related complaints. Consumers who have been a victim of illegal towing practices are encouraged to file a complaint by visiting mi.gov/agcomplaints or calling 877-765-8388.
The detailed consumer alert can be found by clicking the link below:
2019AGConsumerAlertOnTowingInMichigan
The Attorney General provides consumer alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices, and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern, however consumer alerts are not legal advice, legal authority, or a binding legal opinion from the Department of Attorney General.
