When car trouble strikes and you find yourself stranded on or off the road, it's easy to want to call just any tow truck company. In these moments, you may not do more than verify that the company is licensed and insured and maybe go through some online reviews.
All this should be because you cannot afford not to do some due diligence. Here is a list of some more specific questions to ask the towing company.
What Vehicles Do You Tow?
Some tow truck companies tow all types of vehicles, while others only tow some vehicles. This may be because of the company's type of equipment or the training the towing crew has.
Be specific about your vehicle, and inform them about the type, model, and even its state. If the company doesn't tow your type of vehicle or doesn't have the specific tow truck or staff available immediately, you may need to work with a different service provider.
How Long Will Be the Wait Time?
With an idea of your current location, the towing service should be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take for the tow truck to get to you. The last thing you want to do is to have to wait for longer than necessary, especially if it's getting late or you are holding up the traffic.
It's always a good idea to narrow down your options to local towing services. Specify your location if you are searching and specify a radius—the shorter the wait time, the better for everyone, including other road users.
How Much Will It Cost?
Ensure you get an estimate of how much your tow will cost. A professional tow truck company will have no problem breaking it down for you so you understand how your total is coming about. You also want to ask about any extra costs, so you don't end up with any surprises on your bill. Ask about toll charges, surcharges, and whether or not the tow truck company charges drop-off location fees.
While at it, ask what payment methods the company accepts. It would be something else to have the tow truck come all the way to where you are, tow your vehicle, only to run into trouble when making payments.
Ask the right questions, and you can make an informed decision before choosing a tow truck company or signing on their terms and conditions.
Share11 October 2021
The first time I had to have a vehicle towed, I was confused by why they asked me if the car was two or four-wheel drive. When the tow truck driver showed up, I asked him. He explained the difference in how the two types of vehicles were towed, then started telling me about some of the general best practices for safe towing. That's when I started to research the fundamentals and the tips for successful towing. I built this blog as an opportunity to chronicle everything that I learned, hoping that it will help others understand what type of tow truck they'll need for their vehicle.