CAA Launches Towing Bill of Rights to Help Consumers

Canadian Automobile Association

New Consumer Protection Campaign includes Distribution to 10,000 Ontario Motorists

Thornhill, ON – Aug 22, 2018

CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) officially unveiled a Towing Bill of Rights for consumers this morning, as part of a series of initiatives for Tow Safety Week.

The Towing Bill of Rights is based on Ontario law and outlines eight, easy to remember points for motorists to remember if they find themselves in need of a tow.

According to research done for CAA SCO by Ipsos, only half of Ontario drivers feel educated about their rights if they require a tow or roadside assistance. Drivers also worry about issues such as being charged unreasonably high fees or being misled and told by tow truck operators that insurance will cover costs when it doesn’t.

The Towing Bill of Rights is an easy glove box reference guide designed to help ensure Ontario motorists are familiar with the provincial rules and regulations that protect consumers and regulate the towing industry in Ontario. The handy list, now broadly available in print and digital formats, outlines specific consumer rights in a digestible, consumer-friendly way.

In partnership with the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario, CAA SCO will distribute over 10,000 handy reference cards to motorists across the province starting today.

CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) encourages all Ontario motorists and consumers to familiarize themselves with the specific terms of the Towing Bill of Rights:

1. You have the right to decide who can tow your vehicle and to what location unless otherwise directed by police.
2. A permission to tow form must be signed before towing starts, unless you have an auto club membership.
3. The towing company must provide you with an itemized invoice, before receiving payment.
4. The final bill cannot be more than 10% above the quoted price.
5. If you choose, you can pay by credit card.
6. During business hours, you can access your vehicle to get your personal items, while it’s stored at a towing facility.
7. A tow operator must notify you where your vehicle will be towed.
8. Tow operators must disclose if they are receiving a financial incentive for towing your vehicle to a particular vehicle storage facility or repair shop.

The Towing Bill of Rights is based on specific rules and regulations set by the Government of Ontario through the Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act.

Special Note: Exemptions around authorization and invoices are applied if services are provided through a membership association like CAA, where consumers aren’t charged for the specific service provided.

Tow Safety Week runs Sunday, August 19 to Saturday, August 25, 2018, and also features a Tow Show where roadside professionals will take a pledge to protect consumers.