The Pennsylvania House is considering a bill, the Towing Standards Act (H.B. 2041), that sets regulations for the towing of vehicles in the state. The Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild (PCTG) says the legislation could force an unnecessary delay for repairs because it stipulates a tow truck operator must wait 24 hours prior to requesting a repair authorization from the vehicle owner.
In a letter PCTG asked its members to send to legislators, the group implied that the 24-hour window is designed to give insurers time to steer claimants to preferred shops.
“The majority of vehicles transported in the state are towed for minor repairs such as a battery or tire replacement,” the letter states. “It makes no sense to delay the majority of automobile repair services for the sake of the insurance industry’s 24-hour window to unfairly direct consumers to their contracted repair environments. What about lockouts, flat tires and other quick repairs? Is the vehicle owner to wait 24 hours for service?”
PCTG also took issue with another clause in the bill that would have required tow truck operators to release vehicles to insurance companies or salvors working on behalf of insurers without the consent of vehicle owners. PCTG Director Stephen E. Behrndt said this was "the ultimate anti-consumer act of (insurers) controlling the property of the policyholder or claimant and eliminating a consumer’s choice of their repair facility."
However, the clause was amended Feb. 8 and now reads:
A tow truck operator shall not refuse during its posted hours of operation to release a towed motor vehicle upon request from the owner of the vehicle, a person authorized by the owner to regain possession, or with the owner’s consent, the insurer of the vehicle or a tower or salvor acting on behalf of such an insurer accompanied by tender of cash, credit card from a common issuer or a check from an insurance company or authorized tower or salvor acting on behalf of the motor vehicle owner or insurance company for towing and storage charges itemized in writing.
More information:
• Read the text of H.B. 2041
