The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) recently unveiled the findings of the 2011 PCI National Towing Survey, which revealed that the five worst cities for aggressive towing practices are:

1. Chicago, Ill.

2. Philadelphia, Pa.

3. New York, NY

4. Atlanta, Ga.

5. Houston, Texas

The five worst states for aggressive towing practices are:

1. Illinois

2. Pennsylvania

3. New York

4. New Jersey

5. California

"Aggressive and unscrupulous towing companies can make the unpleasant experience of having an auto accident that much worse," said Bob Passmore, senior director of personal lines for PCI. "Motorists and their insurers not only face confusing rules to reclaim their vehicles, but in some cases staggering bills. It's a no-win situation. These bills drive up out-of-pocket expenses for consumers and affect auto insurance costs that they pay."

The survey found that the No. 1 towing issue consumers face across the country is skyrocketing and inconsistent charges and fees associated with towing and storage. Consumers also face a wide range of charges that can include outrageous items that range from "helper fees" to "wait time fees."

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that claims of inflated towing or storage bills have increased 57 percent since 2009. In addition to concerns about charges and fees, complaints related to the difficult and sometimes nightmarish process of retrieving a vehicle from a storage facility were common. Many respondents noted that it felt like the vehicle was being held hostage.

The poll also revealed that the biggest problems listed for motorists and insurers are:

1. Towing and storage charges and miscellaneous fees

2. Inconsistent and difficult release process

3. Lack of transparency and communication from towing companies

4. Access to vehicle for adjustors

Real-life horror stories included:

• A vehicle in Iowa was towed seven miles and the insurer's bill was $892, without any storage time.

• Towing companies in Virginia have charged $350 in administrative fees for letters sent to notify owners that their vehicle has been towed to a storage facility.

• A storage facility in Washington, D.C., charged an insurer $400 per day for large vehicles.

• In 2011, a Chicago woman was hit with a $915 towing bill after a minor traffic accident. The towing company then charged $100/day for storage and would not release the vehicle without an in-person cash payment from the vehicle owner.