Tow truck consumer rights

After a collision

Here are the steps to take:

• Call police at 9-1-1 if the accident involves any of the situations listed on York Regional Police's collision reporting webpage.
• Remove vehicles from the roadway, if it is safe to do so.
• Exchange information with the other involved parties, including independent witnesses (names, addresses, telephone numbers, insurance companies and vehicle information, etc.).
• Call your insurance provider.
  • They will recommend a preferred automotive repair facility. A tow truck operator should not recommend a repair facility as it may not be approved by your insurance provider. This may result in unauthorized fees and potential liens on your vehicle.
  • Ask your insurance provider if towing and storage fees are covered in your automobile insurance policy.

How to identify licensed tow trucks

• All Vaughan-licensed tow trucks must display a decal on the side of their vehicle. The decal has the letter “V” and up to four digits.
• All Vaughan-licensed tow truck operators must have a licence photo identification document.

Know your rights

As a customer, you are entitled to:

• decide who will tow your vehicle.
• decide if and where your vehicle will be towed, including to your residence.
• contact your insurance company to determine where the vehicle is to be towed prior to signing the towing agreement.
• see the towing rate sheet before the vehicle is towed.
• receive a copy of the towing authorization form containing contact details of the tow truck operator.
• review all details and costs before signing the towing authorization form and ask for clarification if you do not understand what you have been asked to sign. Confirm you are signing a towing authorization form to avoid any confusion.
• ask the tow truck operator how payment is to be made prior to signing the towing authorization form.
• request an itemized invoice prior to payment.
• be towed by the most direct route.
• refuse to accept a tow for any reason.

Regulated tow truck operator rates

Tow truck rates from collision scenes are regulated by the City of Vaughan to protect the public from excessive charges at a time when people are vulnerable.

Tow truck drivers are to provide customers with an estimate of the total cost of towing or any other additional services prior to providing service. If the towing/service charges are higher than originally estimated, the final cost of towing shall be no more than 10 per cent than the initially provided estimate.