29-04-2025
‘Wreck cruising': How predatory tow companies are taking advantage of auto accidents
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City leaders said they are taking on tow companies that try to rip you off. It started after FOX4's predatory towing investigation in February, which revealed we're one of the worst spots in the country when it comes to this scam.
Now, we're back with an even bigger problem that can cost you even more money – in some cases as much as $7,000.
KC mayor proposes new ordinance to combat predatory towing
It's called 'wreck cruising.'
It was the morning of Feb. 5, and sleet was everywhere as Jacob Titus drove to work in his trusty 2012 Dodge Avenger. Then, his day got even worse.
'I hit a block of ice, and my car didn't stop—and another car t-boned me,' Titus said.
He called the police, and a tow truck showed up within minutes.
'It hadn't been three minutes,' Titus said.
Titus said he was relieved and didn't think to question the tow truck driver.
'He seemed like a good Samaritan…like he genuinely cared,' he said.
The next day, he called the tow lot and got quite the shock.
'They wanted $2,500, plus one hundred dollars that had already accrued because it had technically been there a day,' Titus said. 'So, they wanted $2,600, just to come get my car. I remember thinking he was asking in pesos.'
Welcome to the world of 'wreck cruising.'
Kansas City has tried to protect drivers from being price-gouged after an accident. Only vetted and approved tow companies are contacted when a wreck happens.
The handful of businesses have also agreed to limit the amount they charge for tows, usually several hundred dollars.
However, many of the rejected tow companies have decided not to take 'no' for an answer.
Instead, they listen to police scanners and rush to the accident scene, often getting there first.
And because there's no law limiting what they can charge you, the bill is usually a big one. FOX4 Problem Solvers has seen wreck tow bills ranging from $1,700 to as much as $7,000.
So what's the solution?
'The easiest fix here for all of these kinds of problems is if the city and the state would pass laws capping towing fees,' said expert Teresa Murray, from the Public Interest Research Group.
Murray said it comes down to bad Missouri law when it comes to wreck cruising.
'There's no cap on towing fees; there's no real cap on storage fees,' she said.
FOX4 was supposed to speak with Mayor Quinton Lucas Monday afternoon, but he had to reschedule. Instead, we got to sit down with City Councilmember Darrell Curls, who introduced a new ordinance this past week to target predatory towing.
'This ordinance not only ensures that those tow companies do certain things in order to make sure that there's accountability to them, but it also is going to include a bill of rights for the person whose vehicle is being towed,' Curls said.
In Titus' case, he said the tow company eventually quoted him a price of more than $4,000 because of added storage fees.
'I'm pretty sure I won't get this car back,' Titus said.
For those wondering which tow company got his car, you may have heard of them: Metro Tow.
Kansas City Police first raided the business several weeks ago, towing cars off the property and arresting the owner and his mother for nine felonies each – including stealing cars, forgery and harassment.
Since then, Platte County also filed charges against the son and mother; some of their tow trucks have also been confiscated by KCPD.
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