How To Know When It's Time To Tow?
Thinking you'll call your insurance company when you're stuck at one side of the road? Consider a different approach.
You should contact a towing company vs. insurance in various situations. In general it is recommended to only call roadside assistance in the event of an emergency. Why? It's because if you purchase emergency roadside help from the insurance company and call multiple times a year, this shows you as a risky client. Be cautious and wise about when and how to use roadside assistance.
However, depending on the provider of roadside insurance you have, your rates are not guaranteed to increase.
It's also important to know that roadside assistance only applies only to the owner of the vehicle only. That is, if you're driving with your partner when they've an issue with their tire roadside assistance won't be covered simply because you're there.
What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down On The Road
No one wants to go through an accident. But, the majority of people find themselves in this situation at some point or another.
The car that is crashing at the side of the highway sounds alarming and frightening. If you're aware of what you should take care of and know how you can stay protected while waiting for a tow truck, you'll handle the situation much better.
Here are some suggestions:
If you can, take your car on the right side of the road
Turn on your lights for hazard warnings
Engage the emergency breaks
Stay inside your vehicle while you call a towing service for assistance
Get in touch with your family and friends to keep them updated
Another thing to bear in mind is that if anyone wants to help, courteously turn them away (unless you're able to feel the circumstances and it seems like they're offering genuine assistance). Sometimes, however you don't know who is really trying to help but is actually risky to you, so, sometimes, it's better to be more secure than sorry.
By following these recommendations by following these guidelines, you'll be safe until assistance arrives.
When To Call A Towing Company?
There are many situations that don't require you to call a tow truck. In other words, if you or someone you're with has enough knowledge of cars and has the appropriate tools to fix the issue.
There are a variety of scenarios in which you'll require to call for towing services. Let's go into more details about some of these situations to see what a tow vehicle can do to be able to help you get through them.
1. Your Vehicle Doesn't Start
If you've completed everything you've been told to do and your vehicle doesn't want to turn over and you're not sure why, it's time to call a towing company to come help.
Sometimes, it may be something that is as easy as an unresponsive battery, and all you need is one jump. In other instances, you may have more serious issues that even the driver of the tow truck can't solve.
If the issue is more than batteries, it's ideal to have your truck already there to take your to the repairman.
2. Run Out Of Gas
Being unable to fill up with gas can be a problem for anybody. Though you might be attracted to go to the gas station but leaving your car on the side of the road and not checking it is not a smart idea.
This is especially true if you're in a dangerous area or a long distance from the nearest gas station. Instead of risking your car or yourself, just give a tow service a call.
3. Flat Tire
While it's something that many people know how to do but it's not always feasible to do on your own. Sometimes the lug nuts are too tight to fit your hand tool. Sometimes you don't even have a jack on hand.
Avoid causing further damage to your car by making a call to a tow truck service instead.
4. Car Accident
We hope you never get into a car accident. But, if you do, make sure you let an experienced tow company take you to a repair center so you can get an estimate of the damage to give to the insurance company.
What To Do Before Calling A Towing Service
If you've been involved in an car accident there are a few things that you'll be required to take care of before you call a towing company. There are also ways to prepare before the tow truck arrives.
1. Take Pictures Of The Damage
Your insurance provider will likely assign someone to take photos of your car at time however, you'll need to take your own as well. Take as many as possible from every angle to show how much the damage.
The documentation can also aid you in the event that you suffer unexpected damage while you are being towed. It is then possible to contact the towing company if necessary.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
One of the most common mistakes that people make is signing contracts without knowing if their insurance policy will cover the cost.
Before you call an towing service, you need to make sure you know what your insurance company covers. They might only work with specific companies, so this could influence who you contact.
3. Ask For A Towing Estimate
If your insurance won't cover the cost of towing, you'll want to request from the towing company estimates of cost prior to deciding whether you want to ask them to send a truck.
Pricing for tow trucks differs based on the business. Certain companies have flat fee based upon the vehicle's size, whereas other are charged per mile as well as the type of vehicle being tow. It's important to inquire in advance to avoid surprises later on.
4. Ask About Towing Method
There are two methods by which your vehicle may be towed:
Hook and chain
Flatbed
Flatbed is when your car is lowered onto the back of the pickup truck. This method is safer for your vehicle and less likely to harm it while in transit. Make sure you choose this option whenever it is possible.
Hook and Chain technique is the process where your car's front ends are lifted from the ground. That is how it is taken to the place you're supposed to go. As you can imagine, this is less dependable for your vehicle and should be avoided.
5. Keep All Receipts
This is something you'll do after the towing process and during the process of accident reconstruction however it's something you should consider.
The majority of insurance companies will cover you for at most a part of the towing cost however, you have to submit the original receipts in order to receive your cash back.
You'll need to ensure that you have both original receipts of everything, and copies available.
Need A Tow?
You now know the scenarios in which you'll need to call a towing service and what you should do prior to making that call. The following tips will help you avoid frustration and make a difference in the cost.
If you're in need assistance with a tow , contact us now. We'll be glad to give an estimate for you and help to the rescue as soon as we can.