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DON'T GET TAKEN FOR A RIDE: 5 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK WHEN YOU NEED A TOW
Admin • Oct 12, 2017
Most people don't plan when their car will need to be towed. Your car may not start one day and need to be towed to a mechanic, you may be involved in an accident and need your car towed to a collision center or you may have a tire blowout and need your car towed to a repair shop.
Because none of these events are things that you have planned for, you may search for a tow company using your smartphone and call the first company that you come across. However, even if you are in a hurry, you should vet towing companies before you hire and agree to do business with them. The wrong company could charge you more or damage your vehicle.
Here are five questions you should always ask before hiring a tow company.
What Types of Tow Trucks Do You Have?
There are four primary types of tow trucks that are in use by tow companies. This includes a flatbed tow truck, integrate tow truck, hook and chain tow truck and wheel lift tow truck. If the wrong type of truck is used on your car, your vehicle could be damaged.
As a general rule of thumb, hook and chain tow trucks should only be used on salvaged vehicles or cars that are severely damaged in an accident.
Wheel lift tow trucks are good for most small to full size cars.
Flatbed tow trucks need to be used on cars with all-wheel drive or 4X4 drive, as these types of vehicles can be damaged by wheel lift tow trucks. This is also the preferred tow truck for pick-up trucks and SUVs.
Integrate tow trucks are used for larger vehicles, such as buses, big rigs and large commercial vehicles.
What Training or Qualifications Does Your Staff Have?
As you look to hire a towing company, always ask what training or qualifications the individual doing the towing has. You want to look for a company that either trains their staff or hires properly trained individuals to ensure your vehicle is not damaged during the towing process.
How Long Will It Take You to Reach My Location?
If you are stranded on the side of the road or your car is blocking an intersection, be sure to ask the towing company how long it will take to reach your location. If they are busy that day, they may be take several hours to reach you. Ideally, you want to find a company that can reach you in 30 to 60 minutes.
Are There Safety Precautions in Place When You Approach My Car?
Unfortunately, criminals may take advantage of the fact that you are stranded and approach you under the guise of offering help. Because of this, many tow companies offer safety precautions to let you know that it is really them approaching your car and not someone else.
A tow company may text you when they are within a certain distance of your car, email or text over pictures of the technician who will be helping you or call you to let you know their tow company has just pulled up behind you. For your own safety, always look for a company that offers these or similar precautions.
What Forms of Payment Do You Accept?
The last question to ask a tow company is what forms of payment they accept. Make sure they accept the form of payment that you have with you. If you don't have anything with you, ask if you can have a family member or spouse call in to make the payment on their card for you.
If you are in need of a tow in the greater Dearborn, MI, area, Rusko's Service Center
is here to help. Our friendly crew can help you tow your car from one location to another safely and without doing damage to your vehicle
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