Needing a tow isn’t common occurrence. And when you need it, you’re probably under a lot of stress like most people. Finding the right service provider can be frustrating and overwhelming, but only if you’re unprepared.
With the right questions, you can get the information you need to be a smart towing service customer, including the best services and prices. Go through this comprehensive list of questions to ask your towing service provider so you can be more confident about getting you and your vehicle safely off the road.

“How soon can you get here?”

When you have an unexpected breakdown on the way home, to work, or to a vacation, the biggest source of stress is time. The longer you stay off the road, the more likely you are to be late to a meeting, or get into a collision, or experience the uncomfortable heat of the sun or, worse, rain and bad weather.
Time is truly of the essence. You don’t want you or your other passengers, especially kids, to continue being vulnerable to bad weather or roadside accidents. Luckily, there are towing service providers who guarantee quick service.
When you call for help after an unexpected breakdown, check if the towing service can dispatch someone within 30 minutes or at least within the hour. They need to be able to assist you right away. Some businesses also don’t provide 24/7 service, so you need to check if they can or can’t serve you before closing time. For peace of mind, it’s better to go with a 24/7 towing service company.
How soon a company can assist you depends on a lot of things, like the size of the company and their fleet of towing trucks. Some companies have a waiting list. That may be fine if you can schedule a tow for a move, but won’t do in critical situations. Don’t hire a towing service company if they can’t respond right away in emergency situations.
Finally, ask them to call you when the driver is near. This is a good precaution because other people can maliciously pose as roadside assistance professionals.

“Do you offer related roadside services?”

If you’re in need of help with a car breakdown, it will save you a lot of time and effort if you can get a 2-in-1 service. Some towing service companies offer related services, such as roadside assistance and locksmith services if you are locked out of your car.

“What kind of tow trucks do you have?”

Different towing companies have different type of trucks in their fleet, from tow dollies to wreckers to flatbed trucks. Can they carry your vehicle safely?
When your car breaks down, you don’t want your vehicle getting damaged by towing and transport. This is especially important if you own a special or prestige car, or a large vehicle.

 “What is the estimated cost of your towing services?”

Car breakdowns come with a lot of stress. The last thing you want to add to that frustrating mix is price shock. While there’s no getting out of having to pay for towing service and help eventually, you should protect yourself from unexpected costs and even hidden charges.
Like in any financial transaction, you need to have a good idea of how much things will cost before you agree to the service. Ask about their service rates before they dispatch the truck to you.
As a smart customer, you should compare rates between companies. Look for additional fees which some companies can add on top of the base rate. These hidden charges will really add to the shock.
Trustworthy companies will provide you an estimate over the phone. If a towing service provider won’t provide any estimate, it’s best to assess your risks and compare with other choices.

“Do you accept insurance?”

Speaking of cost, it’s best to go for a towing service company that is willing to communicate with your auto insurance company.
Is emergency towing included in your insurance coverage? If you have emergency towing included in your insurance, your insurance company might have a towing service provider and roadside assistance company in mind to refer to you.
Ask the towing service provider if they can work with your insurance firm so that at least a portion of the expenses will be covered.

“How many years of experience do you have?”

When it comes to transporting your vehicle, you want to trust only the best. You don’t want amateur towing service providers that could do further damage to your car or to your equipment.
Companies with more experience are likely to have more knowledge and expertise. Ask for their years of operation, and check for some reviews of their service. The continual trust of the community is a big indicator of how well they’ll be able to help you get your car safely off the road.
Brand new companies may have all of the certifications, but they may not have handled tricky situations.You don’t want to be the test run for these companies.

“What do your customers say about your service?”

In an unexpected car breakdown situation, you don’t have the time to go through a whole list of testimonials and customer references. But asking about customer satisfaction and checking for records online can be great for your peace of mind.

“What types of payment do you accept?”

When you’re on the road, you may be a bit low on cash. It’s best to check for payment modes before you hire a towing service provider to pick you up.

Get trustworthy solutions with Newcastle Towing and Transport

For a company that can provide a complete 24/7 solution for your towing needs, you can rely on Newcastle Towing and Transport. Rest assured, our team is committed to customer satisfaction.
Aside from general towing, Newcastle Towing and Transport can provide roadside towing and assistance, specialty and prestige towing, and vehicle salvage and recovery. Contact us today!