This MT Company Was Caught; How Many Others Now, Too?

BUTTE, MT - In a recent development that has sent ripples through Montana...

Anderson Towing, a Billings-based company, has been suspended from the Montana Highway Patrol's (MHP) tow response list for six months due to overbilling practices.

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This incident raises pressing questions about the prevalence of such practices among other towing companies in the state.

Are other towing companies screwing Montanans over?​

The Incident: Anderson Towing's Suspension

On April 17, 2024, Anderson Towing charged Kenyon Noble Lumber and Hardware $6,700 for a four-mile tow following a crash in Bozeman.

This amount was deemed two-and-a-half to three times higher than what is considered reasonable.

The Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee (TTRCC) identified several excessive charges in Anderson Towing's bill, including:​

• Hazardous Materials Response: Over $2,500 charged despite fewer than 25 gallons of fuel spilling, which is below the threshold typically requiring such a response.​

• Wrecker and Driver Fees: A combined charge of $1,350 ($900 for the wrecker and $450 for the driver), whereas the average cost for both is typically $272.​

• Traffic Control Equipment: A $500 charge that overlapped with the hazmat response charges, indicating potential double billing.​

• Lien Processing: A $100 charge for lien processing, even though initiating a lien was unnecessary in this case.​

As a result, Anderson Towing was suspended from MHP's rotation list for six months, meaning they will not be called upon by MHP for towing services during this period.

The company has filed for a judicial review in Lewis & Clark County District Court.

Industry Oversight and Enforcement

The Montana Professional Tow Truck Act, established in 1995, sets standards for tow truck operations to ensure public safety and fair competition.

The Act requires the MHP to maintain a rotation system for dispatching qualified tow truck companies and outlines compliance standards, including equipment classification, liability insurance, truck inspections, and business office and storage yard standards.

The Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee (TTRCC), appointed by the Montana Attorney General, is responsible for reviewing and resolving complaints about tow truck issues, including overbilling.

Consumers can file complaints with the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), which may forward unresolved issues to the TTRCC for further action.

They're Doing It. Are Other Montana Towing Companies Doing It, Too?

The suspension of Anderson Towing raises a troubling question: is this an isolated incident, or could it be part of a wider pattern across Montana's towing industry?

Overbilling incidents often go unreported, leaving many customers unaware they've been excessively charged.

Montana's vast rural roads and highways make drivers vulnerable during emergencies, placing them at the mercy of tow companies dispatched by law enforcement.

Without knowledge of typical fees, consumers might unknowingly accept inflated charges.

This lack of transparency provides opportunities for other companies to quietly overcharge without detection.

Given that oversight largely depends on consumer complaints, the real scale of the problem could be significantly larger.

If one prominent company was caught inflating prices, it's reasonable to suspect others might have similar practices—just unnoticed or unreported so far.

In Retrospect

The suspension of Anderson Towing highlights the importance of oversight and accountability within Montana's towing industry.

While this incident may be an outlier, it underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant and for regulatory bodies to enforce standards that protect the public from unfair practices.

As the industry moves forward, it remains crucial to ensure that all operators adhere to ethical and legal billing practices to maintain trust and integrity in towing services across the state.