Car owners are often worried about towing their cars. The fear of damaging their vehicle in the process is very real. No doubt, improper towing can damage an automobile, but there’s a lot you can do to mitigate the risk.
A careful towing operation can take your car safely to its destination. We are talking no extra expenses here. That’s right, no damage, no repairs, only plain and straightforward towing excellence!
How To Get Your Car Towed Safely
Car towing is a standard service, but many cars encounter damage. Improper towing is the root cause behind such impairments. Here are a few tips to help you control vehicle damages during a tow:
Choose the Right Tow Company
When the police or a government agency tows your vehicle, you get what you get. There isn’t a choice there.
Yet, when your car breaks down and you need roadside help, you can make a selection. Always choose a reputable towing company that has towed your model of car. It’s crucial to find people who know what they’re doing.
Inquire about their insurance policy and read their documents thoroughly. Also, remember to verify their online presence and their brand’s reputation.
Inspect Your Car Before Towing
If you want to check for damages later, you got to have a starting point. Check the present condition of your vehicle to measure any discrepancies afterward.
Here are some pre-towing checkups to do:
- Is the emergency brake released?
- Is the car neutral?
- Are all the windows rolled up and doors closed?
- Are all the straps and hooks checked?
- Are there any free tools lying around in the tow truck?
Checking your automobile beforehand helps you to identify and prevent damage.
Select the correct tow truck
Don’t choose just any tow truck; pick the one right for your model car. Traditionally, people are only aware of a flatbed towing truck. Yet, this type of tow truck isn’t suited for all.
Your car manual can help you learn how to tow your vehicle suitably. You would need a tow truck that lifts the front wheels off the ground or a flatbed tow truck.
Front-wheel drive cars get towed differently from rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars. So, choose the right tow truck, especially if you are going for a long-distance tow.
How to Handle the Damages Caused by a Towing Company
Sometimes, the inevitable happens no matter how much you try to avoid it. It’s better to stay prepared for unfavorable situations so you can handle them boldly.
If the towing company damages your car, don’t accept the damage and be mum about it. Here’s what you should do to recover the damages caused by a towing company:
Assess the damage
Incompetent drivers can cause unintended damages to your vehicle. And it is the bumper of the car which gets damaged the most. Loose hooks and improper positioning can cause further damage to your automobile.
Check the following after the towing company delivers your vehicle:
- Scratches and dents to the exterior.
- Deflated tires.
- Broken windshield or window glass.
- Loose mechanical parts.
- Fluid spill.
Document the damage
You should report the damage correctly to file a case against a towing company. You need before and after photos of your vehicle to prove the damages.
Taking present-condition photos of your car is always good. These before and after pictures strengthen your case when your automobile gets damaged.
Eyewitnesses can also make your case stronger. Their statements can prove the pre-tow condition of your vehicle.
Will The Towing Company Cover the Damages?
A professional towing company takes all the necessary precautions while transporting vehicles. The chances of damage caused by them are not very high. Yet, any reputable company should cover the impairments, and most of them do.
You can also check your insurance policy. Many insurance companies cover towing damages. Get in touch with them as soon as possible.
Damages caused during tow come under comprehensive coverage. It is available as an optional cover in most insurance policies.