Although it is an unfortunate event, it is vital to be knowledgeable about the steps you must take if you ever need to get your vehicle towed off of the highway. There are numerous reasons as to why you may need your car towed. If you suddenly break down on the freeway due to a mechanical issue, pop a tire, or get into an accident ultimately causing your vehicle to be inoperable, you must react accordingly to avoid further damage to your vehicle.
It is also critical to know when to have a reputable towing company come to your location and save the day. Many drivers hope never to be faced with a situation where a tow truck is needed since it can generally cost them a substantial amount of money, time, and inconvenience. However, being prepared ahead of time can help make the situation less stressful if it ever occurs.
Stuck with a Flat Tire
If you’re ever stuck on a highway with a flat tire for an example, the first option you may ponder about is performing the tire change yourself. Although this can save you money in the majority of cases, it also risky and dangerous. With cars zooming by your stopped vehicle at upwards of 60 miles per hour, it is generally not a wise decision to exit your vehicle on the freeway, especially if you’re not an experienced auto-mechanic. If changing a tire by yourself is unsafe, consider calling a towing company to handle the situation.
When Should You Contact a Towing Company?
Regardless of the issue, a reputable car-towing company can really help you during many situations. Statistically, several thousand vehicles inquire for towing or roadside assistance during “peak” times (December-March). This makes sense since batteries are a very common automobile component that tends to fail during the cold seasons. Regardless of the issue you are experiencing, a roadside assistance or towing company will generally arrive to help swiftly, depending on your location. If your battery suddenly dies, you pop a tire, run out of gas, experience an issue causing your vehicle to be inoperable, or even need help unlocking your car door, you should call a reputable towing or roadside-assistance company.
What Should You Ask a Towing Company?
Although it is generally during a time of emergency, you should not perform a simple online search for “car towing company” and click the first option. Instead, attempt to find a towing service which has some positive reviews, since that’s generally the most readily available option you have to judge them by.
- When you settle on a particular company, you must ensure that you inquire about their services. Since not all towing companies include extraction services, it is vital to know that they will be able to remove your vehicle from the road, while also covering the damages which may occur during the extraction.
- You must also make sure to inquire about the company’s experience. As the driver for a towing company, they must be comfortable in handling the situation, while making you feel as comfortable as possible, regardless of location.
- You must also make sure to inquire about the company’s response time. If your vehicle needs roadside-assistance on a cold night for example, it is vital to know that help will be arriving as soon as possible.
- Lastly, but certainly not least, is the cost of the service. Depending on your vehicle, your complimentary roadside-assistance plan will most likely expire around the same time that your warranty does. As a result, it is generally a good idea to get an estimate of the towing or assistance cost before agreeing to the service, this way you will not be surprised by unforeseen charges.
Over 70% of all vehicle owners obtain some form of roadside-assistance each year. Consequently, it is vital to be prepared for this perhaps inevitable instance. Most insurance companies as well as vehicle warranties include towing or roadside-assistance services in the policy. As a result, you should be familiar with their terms, conditions, and exclusions to help make an unfortunate event less stressful.
Interested in how else a towing company can help you and your vehicle? For more information, contact Hi-Way Towing. We can help you with all your towing, locksmith, and roadside assistance in Tyler, TX.
