Towing Your Car After an Accident
You have been involved in a car accident€¦ After the police leave and the chaos dies down, the chances are good you'll be stuck there, by the side of the road, wondering what to do next. You may have vehicle towing service through an auto club or included with your car insurance, but there are limits to how far they will take you. And where will you have them take you? Before you find yourself so stranded, you may want to give some of these issues a little thought.
Choosing Where to Have Your Car Towed
Before you call a tow truck company, consider what type of damage your vehicle has sustained. If your car is not drivable, chances are pretty good that you will need the assistance of a collision repair shop. Many good auto body shops also provide towing service as a part of the body repair process and some even provide free towing.. Often, the body shop can take care of everything related to your insurance claim including towing. That way, you are not forced to pay out of pocket for the tow service.
Front End Towing vs. Flat Bed
Think a towing truck is a towing truck? Think again. The last thing you need is to have your vehicle further damaged by an emergency towing service. Most tow trucks use a front-end towing system, where your car is hooked from the front, hoisted half way up, and drug down the road. Look for towing services that use a flat bed, where your car is placed completely on the bed of the wrecker. In fact, front-end €tow dolly€ towing may even void the warranty on some vehicles, especially high-performance cars, luxury vehicles, and SUVs. Flatbed towing ensures that no damage will be done to your vehicle's transmission or drive train, a risk that's inherent in front or rear wheel towing.
Know Before You Tow
Few of us ever consider what we will do if the unthinkable happens and we need to have our vehicle towed. No matter which towing company you use, you are at the mercy of the individual sent to tow your car. Research the company as much as possible, including with the Better Business Bureau, to identify what kinds of challenges you may face. It is critical that you are present when your car is towed, to ensure that no damage is done to the car. Most tow operators are great but if you land the one that does not follow procedure, you need to be there to document any damage.
After a car accident, you will have a lot to handle. Simplify your life and find an auto body repair shop in advance that will tow your car and handle the insurance claim as a part of their service. It will be one less thing you have to worry about.
Choosing Where to Have Your Car Towed
Before you call a tow truck company, consider what type of damage your vehicle has sustained. If your car is not drivable, chances are pretty good that you will need the assistance of a collision repair shop. Many good auto body shops also provide towing service as a part of the body repair process and some even provide free towing.. Often, the body shop can take care of everything related to your insurance claim including towing. That way, you are not forced to pay out of pocket for the tow service.
Front End Towing vs. Flat Bed
Think a towing truck is a towing truck? Think again. The last thing you need is to have your vehicle further damaged by an emergency towing service. Most tow trucks use a front-end towing system, where your car is hooked from the front, hoisted half way up, and drug down the road. Look for towing services that use a flat bed, where your car is placed completely on the bed of the wrecker. In fact, front-end €tow dolly€ towing may even void the warranty on some vehicles, especially high-performance cars, luxury vehicles, and SUVs. Flatbed towing ensures that no damage will be done to your vehicle's transmission or drive train, a risk that's inherent in front or rear wheel towing.
Know Before You Tow
Few of us ever consider what we will do if the unthinkable happens and we need to have our vehicle towed. No matter which towing company you use, you are at the mercy of the individual sent to tow your car. Research the company as much as possible, including with the Better Business Bureau, to identify what kinds of challenges you may face. It is critical that you are present when your car is towed, to ensure that no damage is done to the car. Most tow operators are great but if you land the one that does not follow procedure, you need to be there to document any damage.
After a car accident, you will have a lot to handle. Simplify your life and find an auto body repair shop in advance that will tow your car and handle the insurance claim as a part of their service. It will be one less thing you have to worry about.
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