Driving and Maintaining Your Car

What to Look for in a Local Towing Service

One of the things you need to know about the area you live in is where the nearest towing service is. Having a local towing service that you can contact when you need them can save you time and money during emergency situations. Before you simply pick a towing service from a sign or by word of mouth, there are a few things you need to look for. Here are a few of those key points and what you need to know about each one.

Associated Garage

The first thing to check for is if the local towing service has an associated garage. There are several benefits to this. The first benefit is knowing where your car will be taken. Most towing services that do not have an associated garage may take it to the nearest one available. The problem is you may not know which garage that is right away. You can also save on mileage fees if the towing service is towing the car back to their own garage. In addition, your insurance may offer certain incentives for your car being towed to the towing service's own garage. 

After Hours Servicing

Some local towing services may not have an after hours service. Other towing services may have a much higher fee for the after hours service they do offer. When you look for a local towing service, you need to ensure they have an after hour service. You also need to ensure the fees for that service and the mileage range they service. Keep in mind, some towing services may only go a certain mileage during after hours service calls. This is vital information if you are trying to find a service that can help you in emergencies, such as your car breaking down on the way home from work.

Insurance Acceptance

If you have car insurance that covers your towing fees, check to ensure your local towing service accepts that insurance. The last thing you want is to need towing and find out the towing service you have chosen does not accept your insurance. This can leave you with large out of pocket expenses and with issues of getting your car back quickly. When you confirm they accept your insurance, ensure what exactly your insurance covers on the towing services list.

Once you have a local towing service narrowed down, consider contacting them directly. Get a listing of their rates, phone number and their emergency after hours number. Keep their numbers stored in your phone, at home and in your cars. This can save you time and allow you to contact them at anytime you may need them.


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