When you call a tow truck, there are certain things you should expect from the towing company. As with any industry, you have a wide variety of options to choose from when in need of a towing company, and not all of them stack up to the competition. This article will go over a few key qualities you should look for when choosing a towing company, as well as what you should do when you’re contacting the company you’ve chosen.
What You Should Expect From A Towing Company
Service Availability
Offering around the clock seven-day-a-week service means that a towing company will be there when you need them. Ideally, a towing company’s service area will cover at least a 100-mile radius. Needing a tow is frustrating enough without being told the towing company does not service the area you are stranded in.
Licensing, Cost, & Insurance
The towing industry is tightly regulated, but there will still be those who try to beat the system. Make sure your tow provider has proper licenses.
Ask for a breakdown of all towing costs. An unscrupulous towing company may offer bargain basement prices and make up for them with hidden fees and surcharges. Make sure the towing company carries comprehensive insurance to cover your vehicle if it is damaged while in their possession. If you have towing coverage, be certain the towing firm works with your insurance company.
Roadside Repairs
If you need a new battery or a tire changed, will the tow truck operator affect those repairs roadside? Providing roadside service is another desirable quality in a towing company. If the tow truck operator can service your vehicle and get it up and running on the spot, they won’t need to tow you to a mechanic. This can save you a lot of money, as you’ll just need to pay the bill for the roadside service and not a tow.
Contacting The Towing Company
Consider Safety Above All Else
Before you even consider contacting a towing company, make sure you and your vehicle are safe and out of harm’s way. If at all possible, get your car completely off the road or as far from it as you can. Moving your car into a nearby parking lot is ideal, but not always possible. Once in a safe spot, turn on the hazards and do not exit the car on the side facing traffic.
Provide Vehicle & Location Information
Give the towing company a complete description of your car, including the make, model, and license plate number. This will help the tow truck driver know what vehicle to look for. Provide as much information about your location as you can, making sure to include the address and cross streets. If you are unsure of your location, describe landmarks, providing enough details so that the tow truck operator can find you promptly. Make sure the tow service has your phone number in case they need to contact you.
Communicate Your Issue
Give an accurate description of the issue with your car, for example, a flat tire. If the tow truck driver arrives prepared to render roadside assistance, you can save the cost and inconvenience of being towed. Again, it’s important to communicate detailed information about your vehicle so that the tow truck operator can arrive better prepared to administer roadside service.
Stay Safe Until Help Arrives
Protect yourself from predators posing as good Samaritans. Until help arrives, stay in your vehicle with your doors locked. If you need to open the windows, keep them partially rolled up. Don’t exit your vehicle until you are certain that the tow truck operator you’ve contacted has arrived on the scene.
Being in need of roadside assistance is a stressful experience that nobody plans for. By doing some research and putting safety first, however, you can minimize this anxiety and rest easy knowing that reliable help is on the way.
