APCIA urges motion on rogue tow truck drivers in Chicago

Robert Passmore, division vp of auto and claims on the American Property Casualty Insurance coverage Affiliation (APCIA), has advocated for decisive measures by the Metropolis of Chicago’s Committee on Public Security to handle the issue of rogue tow truck operators.

Following the committee’s listening to, Passmore mentioned with Alderman Gilbert Villegas of the thirty sixth Ward the institution of a towing rotation system to defend residents from predatory towing practices.

Alderman Villegas has dedicated to collaborating with insurance coverage trade stakeholders similar to APCIA and the Illinois Insurance coverage Affiliation to develop an answer that features a complete towing rotation system to fight rogue tow truck actions.

The problem of rogue towing impacts auto insurers when a car wants towing after an accident or when a stolen car is recovered. Though the Chicago Metropolis Council applied a municipal ordinance in 2021 to control tow truck operations, Passmore emphasised that the measures had been inadequate.

The insurance coverage trade is now advocating for a towing rotation system to additional mitigate exploitative towing practices.

“In a survey of APCIA members, Chicago is the town most frequently cited for abusive towing practices. When a shady towing firm will get a car on its hook, the proprietor and insurer might face staggering payments and complicated guidelines to reclaim the car,” Passmore stated.

“Outrageous payments from abusive towing firms can drive up out-of-pocket bills for customers and influence auto insurance coverage prices,” he stated. “Whereas most towing companies are trustworthy, well-intentioned operators, just a few dangerous gamers have created widespread issues and solid the whole trade in a adverse gentle.”

The APCIA is a part of a broad statewide coalition that features the Illinois Insurance coverage Affiliation, which is dedicated to defending customers whereas sustaining a aggressive property and casualty insurance coverage market in Illinois.

Kevin Martin, govt director of the Illinois Insurance coverage Affiliation, condemned rogue towing practices and known as for extra motion towards these points.

“Rogue towing is an outrageous and reprehensible apply that victimizes essentially the most weak in our communities. The Illinois Insurance coverage Affiliation is proud to help efforts to guard customers and crack down on shady tow truck operators that prey on the helpless who need assistance. I urge the Committee on Public Security to undertake a towing rotation system to fight rogue towers and defend our policyholders,” Martin stated.

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