When a tow is needed
A tow is usually the right answer when a car cannot be driven safely: after a collision, when the engine will not run, when there is a serious fluid leak or when a tire or wheel is badly damaged. It may also be advisable when a red warning light, such as for oil pressure, tells you to stop driving. Driving on can multiply the damage. If you are unsure, calling for advice costs far less than a damaged engine.
Before anything else, make sure you are somewhere safe. The article on what to do when your car breaks down covers that part.
Common kinds of tow trucks
- Flatbed (rollback) trucks carry the whole car on a flat bed, with all four wheels off the ground. They are often preferred for low cars, all-wheel-drive cars, electric cars, accident-damaged cars and any vehicle with a drivetrain you do not want turning.
- Hook-and-chain or wheel-lift trucks lift the front or rear wheels while the other two roll on the ground. They are common for short tows and for getting a car out of a tight spot. The lifted end is chosen to suit the car’s drivetrain.
- Heavy-duty wreckers are used for larger vehicles and difficult recoveries.
- Dolly or trailer tows are what people use when they tow with their own vehicle or a rented one.
The best type depends on the car. Your owner’s manual usually gives towing instructions, including whether the car can be towed with wheels on the ground, how far and how fast. Many automatic transmissions can be damaged by being towed with the drive wheels rolling, and an electric car may need to be moved on a flatbed to avoid damage to its motors and systems. Tell the operator exactly what type of car you have, including whether it is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive, electric or hybrid.
How the process usually goes
- You call a tow company, or your roadside assistance provider dispatches one.
- You give your location, car details, the problem and where you want the car taken.
- The operator gives an estimated arrival time and, sometimes, a price or rate.
- On arrival, the driver checks the car, secures it and may ask you to sign a form.
- The car goes to a repair shop, your home or a storage yard, depending on your instruction.
You can usually ride along in the cab if there is room, although some companies or insurers have rules about passengers. Ask in advance, especially if you are with children or pets.
Questions to ask before agreeing
Asking a few things on the phone avoids most surprises.
- What will the total cost be? Ask whether it is a flat fee or based on distance, and whether there are extra charges for hookup, winching, after-hours service, weather, tolls or waiting time. Prices vary by region, so there is no universal rate.
- How are you billed, and when? Ask which payment methods are accepted and whether you will get an itemized receipt.
- What truck will you send? Confirm that it suits your car, particularly if it is low, electric or all-wheel drive.
- How long until you arrive? And what is the company name, driver name and truck description, so you can confirm the right vehicle arrives.
- Where will my car be taken? You generally have the right to choose the destination. Be careful about agreeing to a tow to a facility you do not know.
- Is the car insured while it is in your care? Ask what happens if the car is damaged in transit.
- Are there storage fees? If the car goes to a yard, ask about daily storage charges and the hours you can retrieve belongings.
Get answers in writing if possible, such as by text message or on the invoice.
Avoiding problems
Unrequested tow operators sometimes appear at accident scenes and breakdowns. You are not obliged to accept their service, and it is fine to say that you have called your own provider. If the police request a tow from a rotation list for safety, this is a different situation, so ask which company and where the car is going, and what it will cost.
Before the car is hooked up:
- Photograph the car on all sides so any damage in transit can be identified.
- Remove valuables and personal items, or take them with you.
- Note the mileage and the car’s condition.
- Do not sign a blank or unclear form. Read it first.
- Keep your keys unless the operator needs them for a specific reason, and ask what for.
Paying and getting reimbursed
Costs are often covered, wholly or partly, by roadside assistance, some car insurance policies or a car warranty, and sometimes by a credit card benefit. Check whether you need to use a specific provider. Keep the invoice if you may claim it back. If the tow was the result of an accident, ask your insurer how it will be handled; the process is explained in how a claim is handled.
After the tow
Contact the repair shop to confirm it has received the car, and ask for a diagnosis before authorizing repairs. Ask for a written estimate. A big repair bill might lead you to consider whether it is worth repairing an old car or replacing it. If the car is at a storage yard, retrieve it promptly to avoid fees.
Preparing ahead
Save the number of a trusted local tow company and your assistance provider in your phone and on paper. Know your plan’s towing limits, such as the distance covered. Understanding these before a problem is much easier than discovering them by the side of the road.
Regulations on rates, towing from private property and your rights vary by place, so check with local authorities if a dispute comes up.