What to Look For in Tow Truck and Towing Services

Auto towing can be one of the most expensive aspects of owning an automobile. If you’re not careful, you might end up with extra costs that are hard to recover from. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help you avoid overpaying for your auto towing. 

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The first step is determining whether or not you will be paying for the towing services directly through your insurer. Many insurance companies offer standard rate quotes for traditional services like towing. If these rates are comparable, you may be safe. If they’re different, call your provider first to confirm. If you’re paying more than you need to, switch to a provider who offers the best towing rates.

If you’re considering using a truck rental, compare prices between different truck rental companies. You may also want to consider a truck that is outfitted with accessories that will increase the cost of towing services. For instance, many trucks come equipped with a device that helps avoid steering wheel shake. Other truck features that will boost towing rates include automatic transmission, power steering, tire pressure monitoring system, satellite radio, etc.

Next, you’ll need to ensure that the towing company you’re considering has a good reputation and provides quality towing services. For this part, you’ll want to research each company. Call customer service representatives, online forums, and contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what others say about a given company.

One aspect of reliable towing services is the physical condition of the tow truck. A well-maintained tow truck should be able to perform the services it was designed for. Any vehicle that’s not up to standard will likely cost more to use overall, even if it’s only for a short period. So always check the tow truck’s make, model, and the year before committing to any long-term contract.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of quality towing services is the roadside assistance aspect the services. A quality tow truck should assist in the event of an accident or other problem along the way. It should have access to an emergency dispatch center and receive medical assistance on the way to the accident site or destination. Most companies offer at least some roadside assistance services, but the quality of these services can vary quite a bit. The best way to judge roadside assistance quality is to ask to try out the benefits yourself. If the company doesn’t readily acknowledge that they offer this service and you aren’t offered help on the road, move on.

Any company worth it’s salt will tell you that they have a fleet of skilled drivers trained in all aspects of driving. But even the best towing company will only be as good as its own response time. Any tow truck driver should be able to give you a response time of at least 10 minutes or better when you call with a problem. Any tow truck driver who responds quickly and efficiently to your call should be ideal, but having them take care of you during your emergency shouldn’t be taken lightly either. It would be best if you always were given the courtesy of hearing someone coming out on the line to address your needs. When a tow truck driver fails to do this, you should feel free to report them for being rude or unprofessional.

Quality towing services are worth their weight in gold. The less you pay for towing services, the better it will be for you in an emergency. It’s better to end up having your car pulled somewhere else than to spend the money to pay someone else to do it for you. All roadside assistance companies share this same policy.