Having Your Car Towed in Connecticut Can Be Extra Painful

Discovering that your car has been towed is a universal hassle. But a joint investigation by ProPublica and the Connecticut Mirror finds that it can be an even bigger hassle in Connecticut. For one thing, the state gives tow companies one of the shortest windows in the nation—15 days—to resell a car if the owner has been unable to come up with the money to retrieve it. But as this new investigation details, the state also allows tow companies to be unusually stingy in allowing people to retrieve items from the vehicles. State law lets car owners collect possessions that are "essential to health or welfare," but the definition is so vague that it gives the companies plenty of latitude to refuse entry. The people most affected are those with low incomes who can't quickly come up with the full fees, which can often be several hundred dollars.

Reporters Ginny Monk and Dave Altimari write that they repeatedly heard from people who lost work tools, child seats, family mementos, etc., because of the rules. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would broaden the range of items owners can retrieve and tighten regulation of such practices, though towing companies argue their perspectives haven't been considered enough. "If somebody owed you $800 and they called up and said they wanted to get something out of their car, it's OK for them to waltz down here and take their things and then leave you with an $800 bill?" says Timothy Vibert of the Towing & Recovery Professionals of Connecticut. In the meantime, the state DMV suggests people file complaints if items are being improperly withheld—but the process can take longer than the time a company needs to sell the car. (Read the full story.) (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)