ROCHESTER, N.Y. – An update to a News10NBC investigation into towing fees in New York State.
Senator Jeremy Cooney is proposing legislation that would cap towing fees statewide after a News10 Investigation in February about towing laws. News10 NBC Consumer investigator Deanna Dewberry started investigating the issue after learning News10NBC anchor Nikki Rudd got a bill for nearly $5,000 for a 33-mile tow.
“Thank you for raising this concern to me,” Cooney told Dewberry.
Cooney said he was initially unaware that there are virtually no state laws regulating towing fees. Bald Hill Automotive in Honeoye, NY charged Rudd a grand total of $4,837.50 for the tow.
“He maybe thinks it’s okay because he’s doing this to insurance companies, but we all pay for insurance, and everyone ends up paying more because of stuff like this. Charge a reasonable rate,” Rudd said.
Senator Cooney agreed, taking the issue straight to the Senate floor.
“So, we entered the legislation to talk about tow caps specifically,” he said.
Currently, fee caps are largely left to cities and towns, creating a confusing collection of local laws that differ from city to city. Senator Cooney’s legislation would create consistency.
“So, this is a statewide tow cap. For personal automobiles it’s 100 dollars plus the tolls,” Senator Cooney explained. For heavier vehicles, it would be $125 plus $4 per mile.
That’s a far cry from what Bald Hill charged Rudd. The company charged $1,375 for a flatbed fee, $250 for accident recovery, another $250 night incentive fee, as well as a long list of $150 fees including an administrative fee, expressway fee, fuel surcharge, notification fee, gate fee, release fee and special equipment fee.
Dewberry: “Will there be caps or limits on the types of fees that can be charged?
Cooney: Well, we’ll certainly take a look at it. It’s our expectation that the consumer will pay one set fee plus tolls and other variables depending on where your vehicle is located. That’s reasonable,” Senator Cooney said.
But he says a $5,000 bill is not reasonable. So, he’s urging his colleagues in the Assembly to pass the legislation.
“Right now, we have no idea, we could get a tow truck bill for $5000, and I said that on the floor by the way, or you could get a tow truck bill of $200 and that’s just not good consumer protection. And we have to something about it,” Cooney said.
Cooney looked at the towing caps in surrounding states to help establish rates in New York. The bill excludes New York City, which has its own towing laws.
Cooney’s bill passed the State Senate but still must pass the Assembly. The Assembly’s session ends next week.
AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News 10 uses AI
Consumer investigation: N.Y. Senator proposes legislation to cap towing fees WHEC.com.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Consumer investigation: N.Y. Senator proposes legislation to cap towing fees )
Also on site :