When your car breaks down on the road you’ve got one of three choices to make, you can try to fix it, call a friend to help or call a towing company. In a previous post, we’ve discussed why you should prefer a professional towing service rather than do it yourself.
If looking for professional help, we highly recommend that you don’t just call up a towing company at a whim, you should #1) Do some research and #2) Prepare to answer important questions in order to make this unpleasant process go quicker and so they can do their job well.
Car owners who prepare well are more likely to experience a smooth towing process. Even if it is your first time to call a towing company for help, you still need to inform yourself about what’s going to happen. This lets you be better prepared to handle the situation. Also, it helps you prepare the pertinent information that towing companies need from you.
Here are the 4 things you should know before calling a towing service provider:
What Is Your Location?
Location is the most important information that the towing service provider needs to know. With it, they can locate you and give you the help you need. You can check the car’s GPS so you can pinpoint your location and tell them. If your car’s GPS isn’t available, you can try using your phone to pinpoint your location.
If, for some reason your car and phone’s GPS isn’t available, you can try to look around for some clues as to where you are. Tell them what road your on and what landmarks you see but it will still be best if you can narrow down your location.
Your Car And It’s Condition
Another thing that towing companies need to know is what type of car you have. You should be able to provide them the make and model of your car. This will help them in choosing the right tow truck to bring.
Additionally, you should also know your car’s current condition. If the car is totally damaged, they may use a flat-bed tow truck to assist you. Also, they can use a wheel-lift tow truck for older models or those that are already slightly damaged.
You should also inform them whether the car is parked on the side of the road or if it is stuck in a ditch. This will help them know what kind of tow truck to bring, which would be most helpful in your car’s current condition.
Information About Your Insurance
Your insurance policy information is another thing that a towing company might ask. This is to help them determine the method of payment you will choose or the type of coverage you have. Some of the things about your insurance policy that you should know is your policy number, type of coverage, payment information, etc.
Mechanic Or Autoshop Address
If your car has broken down, the towing service provider can tow it for you to your home, the nearest auto shop or your preferred auto shop. When you choose to have your car towed to a mechanic, it prevents the additional cost of towing your car once again from your home to the mechanic.
It is always best to choose your mechanic rather than to trust a stranger to fix your vehicle. This is also to avoid overpaying the mechanic who fixed your vehicle. Also, there are times when the towing service company also offers roadside assistance. Sometimes, they can fix the car on the road and wouldn’t need towing at all.
