There have already been many who have fallen prey to the trap of towing scammers. Have you ever been targeted by them? Nowadays, you don’t just have to watch out for motorcycle riders but for tow truck scammers as well. People who have been scammed were charged with a hefty fee and their cars were held hostage at the storage sites. One towing scam case even led to a shooting incident.
Being extra vigilant helps prevent scammers from successfully taking advantage of you. One way to do that is to ask questions when calling up or planning to transact with a towing company. But you shouldn’t just ask questions, you should ask the right ones to gather information.
Even if they are not involved in tow scams the questions below will still help you have a better experience with the towing services they have to offer.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?
One of the most important questions to ask is how long it would take for them to get to your location. At night, it would be more dangerous if you needed to wait for longer periods of time. Not only will you be more susceptible to individuals that may do you harm but your car on the road can also be blocking traffic or might cause an accident the longer it stays there.
Knowing an estimate on when they will arrive also lets you avoid working with towing scammers who arrive at the scene in record time. If you already called someone, it is best to wait for them and not go with anyone else.
Before you hang up your call, make sure you also know the name of the person who is coming for you. Usually, they will also call up when they are near the area to inform you that they are about to arrive.
How Much Will It Cost In Total?
Insurance may cover the towing cost. However, it is still important to know how much the total cost will be. There may be additional taxes or surcharges for their services. Make sure to know the total and read everything clearly before signing the paperwork.
Where Would The Car Be Taken?
Most of the time, your car will be brought to a mechanic that is preferred by your insurance provider. The car can also be brought to the location you specify or the mechanic of your own choice.
If you can’t decide where to take your vehicle or if you do not know of any mechanic that your insurer prefers, then the towing company may take your vehicle and place it in their yard. This will accumulate charges and the longer you store it there, the more you need to pay to get it out.
Will You Give Me A Ride?
When your car is towed, you won’t have any other means of traveling unless you ride with the police officers or the tow truck itself. In some cases, the truck driver may allow you to ride with them. Trucks usually have a 2-passenger seat accommodation.
Are You Experienced In Towing The Kind Of Vehicle I Have?
Do you have an electric car, a four-wheel drive, or a prestigious sport car? All these require a safer way to be towed. Usually, they would need a flatbed tow truck. It is important that the company you are working with has experience with towing the kind of vehicle you have.
You don’t have to be embarrassed by asking them about their experience in towing cars. It is their job to provide you with the most information they can to help keep your mind at ease and that they excel at towing your vehicle safely.
Will You Be Directly Talking To My Insurance Company?
There should be direct communication between the towing company and your insurance provider. If not, consider finding other towing companies to help you move your vehicle. You are already in a stressful situation because you are in need of a tow. Dealing with your insurance company is an added stress that can be easily avoided if only your towing company works directly with your insurance provider.
Final Thoughts
One of the keys to avoiding being scammed by fraudulent towing companies is to ask questions. Above are the most pertinent questions to ask but you may add to them as you go on. Getting adequate information from the towing company helps prevent you from being scammed. Asking questions also gives you a clearer picture of the services that they can offer.
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