You’ve probably heard stories of people who were charged hundreds and thousands of dollars for roadside services. If you’re like most of these unfortunate ones, then one day, your vehicle breaks down, and you need a tow truck to take it to the repair shop or home.
Towing service is what can save your day when your car breaks down. It’s a type of road service that involves towing or transporting an automobile due to mechanical failure, damage from an accident, or when no other form of transportation is available.
These services can be used for both commercial and personal purposes. Towing has become a billion-dollar industry in the U.S., with thousands of people using tow trucks for everything from emergency breakdowns and accidents on busy highways, to manufacturing cars and moving them long distances on specialized trailers. (Credit Information: Adam Towing & Recovery)
Towed cars can be expensive, and finding a reputable towing service company is not always easy. However, if you know what to look out for, you should get your car towed without any trouble.
First off, you need to prepare yourself for the inevitable breakdown that will happen someday. Towing services are not cheap, and there’s no way around it. But what you can do is make sure you know how much to expect in terms of charges so you won’t find yourself in a bind when the unexpected occurs.
How Much Do Towing Services Cost?
Towing service costs can be complicated due to different vehicle types, transport equipment, geographical location, and several other factors. Towing charges are typically divided into two main parts – hookup costs and mileage costs.
Towing companies usually charge around $125 for the hookup cost. They also get compensated by the towing operator, which varies from state to state. Towing operators are charged anywhere between $4 and $20 per mile towed.
Once you find out how much your hookup costs will be, make sure that you discuss it with the tow truck driver before they lift up your car. It’s also wise to check if the tow company has any coupons for its services.
Now, How Do You Avoid Being Overcharged For Towing Services?
As with any other kind of overcharged business opportunity, there is always room for corruption within towing service companies too. If you think about it, choose a company that charges a flat rate for services, and they can simply TOW what you need; and not TOW what you don’t.
There are several ways to prevent people from fooling you over a service:
- Always ask about the towing service cost (flat-rate) before calling any company. Ensure that the rate includes everything that needs to be done with the vehicle, including taking the car to a repair shop or storage facility.
- Make sure that the quoted price is for one way only (the company will ask you to confirm what you need).
- Be familiar with the roadside assistance services and their prices before using them.
- Tows done in the middle of the night are more expensive than tows done during regular hours.
Some companies also charge for mileage. So, if you need tow truck service and the closest company doesn’t offer a flat rate, call the next closest company. There might be a long wait time involved though, but it’s better than being overcharged by a service provider that is just looking to scam you.
Another thing you need to remember when calling companies is not to mention “cheap” services in your conversation. Some companies provide cheap services because they cut corners on safety measures or equipment. If the price sounds too good to be true, then maybe it’s time for you to look somewhere else.
Nevertheless, cheap towing service doesn’t necessarily mean bad service though. Companies that offer services for a cheap price aren’t necessarily bad. It’s all about doing your research and calling tow truck companies so you can compare prices to get the best service possible.
Furthermore, don’t forget to ask these questions before hiring a towing company:
- Do I need to be there when the towed vehicle is delivered?
- What time does their Towed vehicle drop-off service begin?
- Will you send pictures of my towed vehicle once it has been safely delivered to the end destination?
- How late do you operate on weekdays and weekends?
- How do you charge for the services?
- Are you fully licensed and insured?
The more questions you ask them, the better chances you’ll have of getting good towing services in Orlando and everywhere. On top of that, you’ll also feel more confident about towing with them because you asked the right questions.
Choose a towing company that offers services at a flat rate and provides quality, fast, and reliable services. This is why it’s always better to call at least three companies, so you can get the best towing service deal possible!
