Vehicles are known to break down when least expected. As a car owner, you should have contacts to a local towing service to tow your vehicle to a garage once it breaks down. So, how do you choose a towing service? Below are some useful tips.
Check With Your Insurance Company
Your comprehensive insurance policy could provide towing and recovery services. As such, contact your insurer and inquire about the recommended towing services. It is vital to ask how many kilometres of towing are covered by your insurer.
Services Provided
Visit the towing service, check their website, social media pages or Google My Business listing to know what services they provide. Inquire if the company provides towing services for vehicles in your class. Consider companies that offer roadside recovery. Typically, the towing company will help you conduct minor repairs such as changing your tire, repairing a broken radiator hose, refuelling, jumpstarting the vehicle or locksmith services if you have lost your keys.
Check the company's operating hours. Companies that provide 24/7 towing services are your best bet if you drive at night or during the weekend. Inquire about the company's area of operation. For instance, if you drive interstate, you should consider companies that provide towing services in the states you visit.
Some towing services may have a garage where they can repair your vehicle. However, you should ensure they provide high-quality car repair services before hiring them to repair your car. The towing service should also offer storage services.
Safety and Liability
Examine the company's safety procedures. For instance, the tow truck should have proper signage to ensure other motorists identify it on the road. The recovery team should also provide clean-up services to prevent secondary accidents. The tow truck should have a heavy-duty winch to load your vehicle onto the truck.
Inquire what liabilities the company accepts. Once the recovery team arrives at the scene, they should examine the condition of the vehicle and document the extent of the damage. The towing company should provide compensation if some of the parts go missing during recovery or storage.
Pricing
Check the company's pricing policy. Preferably, you should work with companies that have a fixed pricing strategy. It is a sure way to avoid an invoice with lots of extra charges. Some towing companies may provide discounts to loyal customers.
When choosing a local towing service, check the terms of your insurance policy, evaluate the company's services, safety procedures, accepted liabilities and the pricing policy.
