As a driver, the worst thing to deal with is car trouble when your driving. There are certain situations where you might be required to call a tow truck company to see your vehicle. Tow truck drivers offer help to distressed services dealing with vehicle issues. They will bring you and your car to the nearest garage to ensure you aren’t sitting on the roadside.
If you’re in an area you are not familiar with or on a rural road finding a towing company can be a hassle. A quick search, and you’ll have an extensive list of towing companies to choose from, with different services to offer. When it comes to needing a tow, here are five things to keeping mind when selecting a towing company.
1. Towing Costs
The first thing you need to know when finding a towing company is knowing where you are. You want to make sure you select a towing company that serves the area you are in because a tow will charge by the mile.1. Location
The average towing costs for most tow companies is between $50 to $125 for a five or ten-mile tow, or you could be charged a hookup fee and $2 to $4 per mile for long-distance towing.
When you are hiring a towing company, make sure to ask them how much they charge for a tow. Also, don’t forget to ask about any extra fees such as a hookup fee and price-per mile rates. Remember that the most expensive towing company may not be the best. That’s why it is important to call around for pricing.
2. Experience
A towing company’s reputation is essential in the selection process. Read the reviews from people who have used the company’s services. You want to make sure you find a company with a good reputation.
You want a towing company that has a lot of experience, so you can be confident that the tow truck driver has tied down your vehicle correctly and will get you and your car safely to your destination.
3. Available 24/7
If your car is going to breakdown, it is rarely at a convenient time. You never know when you are going to have a problem with your vehicle, and the last thing you need to deal with in the middle of the night is not being able to get hold of a tow truck company.
You want a tow company that is available 24/7. Any company that doesn’t offer 24 hours, seven days a week, service is not going to be beneficial to you while sitting on the side of the road in the middle of the night.
4. Service a Wide Area
If your car is going to have a problem or breakdown, it is going to be at the least convenient time and often in an undesirable location too.
It is just the way it goes most times, and you break down at an inconvenient time, and miles away from your destination. A towing company you decide to hire should offer services to a wide coverage area.
5. Roadside Support
Of course, towing is essential to a tow truck company, but an excellent towing company will offer roadside assistance should you ever require it. Not all call outs are for a tow, sometimes a car runs out of gas, or a tire goes flat, in which case, a tow is not necessary, but roadside services that can be dealt with on-site and a quick time frame are needed.
A good tow truck company will also offer full roadside support such as tire changes, fuel deliveries, or replacement of a battery.
Conclusion
Take note of how a tow truck company treats you on the phone when you make your initial call. Your vulnerable when you require a tow truck company, and you don’t want to be taken advantage of. But if you look for a company that is upfront about their costs, has the experience and good reviews, offers 24/7 availability, covers a wide service area, and has roadside assistance, you’ll be well taken care of.