Yes, you can often dispute a towing bill. A high total by itself does not force a refund. The disputes that go somewhere usually name a specific problem: the tow wasn't authorized, a required notice never went out, a fee wasn't on the approved schedule, storage days were counted wrong, or the invoice doesn't match the quote or posted rate.

Police impounds, private-property tows, roadside service calls, and repossessions can sit under completely different rules, even in the same city. Caps, notices, and complaint offices change by state and often by city or county. There is no nationwide towing-fee ceiling and no official national success rate.

Real towing fee dispute examples

These government actions show the kind of paper trail that can matter. They do not create a refund rule for every state.

Connecticut: a settlement over illegal junk fees

In 2024, Attorney General William Tong announced a $65,000 settlement with Hilario Truck Center and Hilario's Service Center after an investigation into illegally collected junk fees. Eligible consumers could request refunds. The company also had to pay $10,000 to the state.

The eligibility terms were narrow. The vehicle generally had to weigh less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, have been towed after January 1, 2019 at the arrangement of a law enforcement officer or traffic authority, and involve fees the consumer personally paid. A written request and supporting documentation were required.

If you're putting together a similar file, identify the exact fee, the date, who authorized the tow, and the payment record. That settlement does not make every administrative charge illegal. It does show that a documented pattern of improper fees can lead to refunds and penalties. The official terms are in the Connecticut Attorney General's settlement announcement.

New York: restitution after predatory-towing enforcement

New York Attorney General Letitia James reported a court victory against Bobby's Towing and its owner, Robert Scores, for repeated violations that harmed consumers in Poughkeepsie. The company had to pay penalties and restitution to affected consumers.

A single complaint rarely looks like that case. Agencies do take notice, though, when several people describe the same conduct. Read the New York Attorney General's Bobby's Towing announcement.

Texas: notice records can expose an impound problem

Texas is a useful example of records you can actually compare with a bill. Its consumer information for vehicle storage facilities says a notice must identify the person, property owner, or law enforcement agency that authorized the tow, along with contact information.

A facility generally must mail or publish at least two notices and wait at least 30 days after the second notice before taking certain action with the vehicle. There are exceptions, including some vehicles more than 10 years old that are in condition only to be junked, crushed, or dismantled.

A missing or inaccurate authorizer name does not automatically wipe out every charge. It does give you a concrete item to match against the company's file and the Texas requirements. The Texas towing consumer information page explains the process and the exceptions.

What these examples do not prove

Some websites claim that more than 70% of towing disputes succeed, or that a particular fee percentage is illegal nationwide. Don't use those figures unless you have a current official source. The outcome still depends on the tow type, the local rate schedule, notice rules, your evidence, and whether you already paid the disputed charge.

Identify the rule that controls your tow

Figure out which kind of tow you had before you argue about the dollar amount.

Tow type Records to locate Issues to check
Law-enforcement or traffic-authority tow Police or agency authorization, impound record, rate schedule Authorized reason, notice, storage, release and maximum-rate rules
Private-property or apartment tow Property owner's request, entrance and parking signs, local ordinance Sign visibility, permission to tow, grace periods and listed fees
Consensual roadside tow Call recording, text quote, service authorization and invoice Quoted price, mileage, equipment, taxes and charges added later
Repossession Loan agreement, payment history and repossession notices Repossession procedure, breach-of-peace rules and separate storage charges

A private-lot sign rule will not fix a police impound, and an impound-notice rule will not fix a repossession. The agency and the deadline may be different.

Charges worth checking

Ask for an itemized bill and go through it line by line.

A fee can be painful without being unlawful. Emergency recovery, heavy vehicles, accident scenes, and special equipment can carry different rates. Tie each challenged line to a document, rule, quote, or factual error.

Evidence that helps a towing-fee dispute

Make copies. Don't mail your only originals, and keep files in their original form when you can.

Useful evidence includes:

Back up dashcam footage before you send it. A still image can show a sign. The original video may also establish timing, whether the vehicle was occupied, or whether the truck had already started the hookup.

How to dispute towing fees step by step

1. Protect the vehicle and stop storage from growing

Ask the facility for the exact balance, address, hours, accepted payment methods, and release requirements. If the vehicle holds medication, identification, work equipment, or child safety items, request access under the rules that apply there.

Don't wait for a complaint office to write back before you deal with storage or sale risk. A complaint can take time and may not freeze the bill.

2. Request the complete billing and authorization file

Ask in writing for:

A clear request often shows whether you're dealing with a math error, a missing record, or a fight over the rule itself.

3. Compare the invoice with official rules

Check the website of the state agency that regulates towing or vehicle storage. Depending on where the tow happened, that may be a motor-vehicle agency, transportation regulator, public-utility regulator, local parking authority, or county or city licensing office.

For a private-property tow, read the local ordinance too. Confirm that the rule covers your type of tow, vehicle weight, location, and date. Save a PDF or print the page that shows the effective date. A search result or social post is not the rule.

4. Send a focused written dispute

List each disputed charge and why you're challenging it. Attach copies of the evidence and ask for a specific dollar amount. Skip broad accusations you can't support.

Give the company a clear, reasonable response date. Don't call that date a legal deadline unless you've checked the applicable law. Ask the company to preserve authorization records, sign photographs, call recordings, and vehicle condition reports.

5. Retrieve the vehicle if necessary

If you need to pay to stop more storage or get the vehicle back, keep the receipt and say in writing that you dispute the listed charges. You can ask whether local law recognizes payment under protest and, if it does, follow that procedure.

Payment does not automatically end every claim, but waiver rules vary. Don't refuse payment if that would pile on storage charges or risk a sale.

6. Escalate in the right order

If the company rejects the request or never answers, consider:

An Attorney General complaint can help flag a pattern or open a conversation. It usually is not a court judgment and may not produce an individual refund.

The Texas Attorney General's complaint process, for example, asks for the business's identifying information, a detailed description, transaction dates and amounts, contract information, and payment details. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's consumer complaint page warns that its Bureau of Consumer Protection receives more than 20,000 complaints each year, so review may take time. Virginia says its office may act as a neutral facilitator and recommends sending photocopies rather than originals in a consumer complaint.

7. Watch the court deadline

State limitation periods and small-claims procedures vary. Filing with an agency generally does not extend a court deadline. If the amount is significant or the vehicle has been damaged or sold, check the official court rules or get local legal help promptly.

Towing fee dispute letter template

Send the letter by a method that creates a delivery record. Keep the letter, the attachments, and the proof of delivery.

Subject: Dispute of towing and storage charges - [vehicle and invoice number]

[Your name]
[Address]
[Email and phone]
[Date]

[Towing company]
[Address]

I dispute $[amount] of the $[total] invoice for vehicle [make, model, plate or VIN],
towed on [date] from [location]. I paid [amount] on [date] to [retrieve/prevent
sale of] the vehicle.

The disputed charges are:
- $[amount] for [fee]: [specific reason]
- $[amount] for [fee]: [specific reason]

The supporting documents are attached: [itemized receipt, photographs, notice,
authorization record, payment proof, rate schedule, or other evidence].

Please provide the tow authorization, applicable rate schedule, storage calculation,
and any records supporting the disputed charges. I request a refund of $[amount]
and a written response by [date]. Please preserve all records relating to this tow.

This request concerns the disputed charges only. It does not waive any rights or
claims that may apply under the relevant state or local rules.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Credit-card disputes, insurance, and damage claims

A card billing dispute is separate from a towing-fee dispute under state or local rules. If you paid by credit card, contact the issuer promptly and ask about its billing-dispute process. Give a truthful explanation and attach the invoice, written complaint, and evidence.

A chargeback is not a finding that the fee broke local law. An issuer may reject the dispute if the service was authorized and provided, even if you think the price was excessive. Debit-card, prepaid-card, ACH, cash, and credit-card procedures differ, so don't assume the same protection or deadline applies to every payment method.

If your insurer or roadside plan arranged the tow, ask for the approved amount, coverage decision, and claim notes. Insurance reimbursement does not decide whether the tow company charged an unlawful amount. Damage during loading, transport, or storage may need a separate claim, with before-and-after photos, witness statements, and repair estimates.

Mistakes that weaken a towing dispute

Get the itemized invoice, the authorization record, and the rate or notice rule that applies to your tow. Then send a short written demand that names each charge you want removed and attaches the copies that support it.