Anytime you experience a breakdown with your vehicle, repairing the car may be the first thing you want to do, but towing it to a shop or other location is often necessary. Finding a towing company that can move the car for you is critical, but there are some things to consider when hiring someone to tow your vehicle for you.
Towing Availability
One of the first things you may want to consider is the availability of a towing company in the area. If you are sitting on the side of the road waiting for a towing company, the company that can get to you first may be the best option.
Not only can it be inconvenient to sit on the side of the road in your car, but in some situations, it can be unsafe for you to do so. Breaking down at night creates even more of a safety concern because it is harder for drivers to see your car on the side of the road, especially if you cannot turn on the emergency flashers on the car.
While finding a towing company that can get to you quickly is important, you also need to make sure they have the right equipment to safely and correctly tow your vehicle. Let the towing company know what kind of car you have and any unique concerns that they need to be aware of to bring the right tow truck to your location.
Determining The Destination
When you are hiring a towing company to move your car, you need to know where you want to tow the vehicle. If there is a garage in the area you prefer, you can ask the towing company to take your vehicle there.
If you are going to repair the car yourself and want your car towed home, you can request that as well. While the towing company will tow the vehicle anywhere you ask, in most cases, the towing cost can be significant for long-distance tows, so make sure you ask about the cost per mile before you decide where to tow the car.
Towing Coverage
If you have towing coverage through your auto insurance or a roadside assistance membership, let the towing company know. Sometimes the towing company can bill the tow directly to the roadside group or the insurance company. The towing company may offer a discount on the towing service in this situation.
If you have a roadside assistance membership, the customer service person can help you find a towing company that they work with directly, so you may want to call them as soon as you know you need a tow.
Share16 February 2021
The first time my car battery died, I was at a complete loss about where to start. I got a jump start to get my car running, and went to the local auto repair center to have it tested. The mechanic took one look, didn't even connect anything to it, before telling me it was definitely bad. I asked him how he could tell at a glance, and he pointed out that the sides were bulging. The battery was swollen. I had no idea that such a thing could happen, so I started learning everything I could about how car batteries work, what kind of care they need, and the warning signs of a problem. Had I recognized them sooner, I could have avoided a break-down. I created this site to each others what I learned. I hope the information here helps you understand your car's battery better.
