10 things to do before you have your vehicle towed
Written by Economical Insurance | Published on: January 15, 2020 | Updated on: February 14, 2024 | Categories: On the road, Car insurance, Group Insurance
If you get into a collision and your vehicle is no longer safe to drive, it’s very likely that you’ll need to have it towed to a repair shop. But before you have your vehicle towed, it’s important to know your rights and know what to look out for when the tow truck driver arrives. While most tow truck drivers are honest professionals, there are an increasing number of tow truck services that try to take advantage of people who are shaken up after being involved in collisions. The good news? There are some steps you can take to avoid getting into a sticky situation when having your vehicle towed. Before you let anyone tow your car, always:
- Call your car insurance company first, even if it’s outside of business hours. Your insurer can tell you what to do next, advise you on reasonable towing rates to pay, and help make sure there’s no unnecessary delay in having your car repaired. In some cases, they may even be able to arrange to have one of their certified repair facilities or towing vendors pick up and securely store your damaged vehicle at no cost, or in some cases, at a low cost to you. If you can’t get in touch with your insurer right away, you can still have your vehicle towed, but keep the rest of the tips on this list in mind. If you're an Economical customer and you require towing, contact the Economical Insurance Accident Towing team at 1-888-668-6087 for support anywhere in North America.
- Determine that your vehicle actually needs to be towed. When you’ve been in a collision, your first instinct may be to call a tow truck. But the reality is, you may be able to drive your vehicle away from the scene yourself. If you can answer yes to all these questions, it’s likely safe to drive your own vehicle instead of getting a tow:
- Is your vehicle free of fluid leaks?
- Are your headlights and taillights still working properly?
- Are all of your mirrors intact?
- Does steering and braking feel right?
- Is your hood or trunk still able to close securely?
If you can’t answer yes to all of these questions or you have another reason to believe your vehicle may not be safe to drive (if the airbags have deployed or there’s damage to the wheels, for example), it’s better to have your vehicle towed. If there’s a police officer at the scene of the collision, you can also ask them to help you determine whether your vehicle is safe to drive.
- Consider roadside assistance instead of an independent towing company. If you have access to a roadside assistance service through an automobile association, membership service, your bank or credit card company, or your vehicle’s manufacturer, give them a call instead of calling a regular towing service. Note: Some roadside assistance services don’t cover towing after a collision. Be sure to specify that you’ve been in a collision when you call — the operator should be able to let you know if post-collision transportation is included in your coverage.
- Prepare your vehicle for towing. Before your vehicle is moved, take detailed photos of the damage and the collision scene if it’s safe to do so — and don’t forget to include the inside of your vehicle. You should also remove all valuables, necessities, and important documents, including your vehicle ownership and registration, from your car before you give access to a tow truck driver.
- Make sure the tow truck that shows up is the one you called — or, if you didn’t call it yourself, make sure it’s from a reputable company. Some tow truck drivers will wait on the side of the road and race to the scene of a collision to try to get new business. Sometimes they’ll even try to convince you your vehicle needs to be towed when it’s still drivable. If a tow truck seems to show up at the scene too quickly and you didn’t call it, ask to see a physical or digital copy of their operator’s certificate, including the tow driver's name, towing business name, address, and phone number, before signing a consent form and accepting their service. If you’re located in Ontario, read the latest towing regulations for more information on your rights.
- Tell the driver exactly where you want to have your vehicle dropped off. You can either have it towed to one of your insurance company’s certified repair facilities or a repair facility of your choice. It’s important to note that you have the right to decide who can tow your vehicle and where you want it to be dropped off unless the police or local road authority has directed you otherwise. A reputable tow truck service shouldn’t insist on taking your vehicle to a specific location unless the police or local road authority provide directions on where to take your car.
- Be sure to read the paperwork provided by the tow truck driver carefully before you sign it or make a payment. After providing their operator’s certificate, the tow truck driver also needs to provide you with an itemized invoice to review. Never sign a blank document or invoices! Make sure that you’re only agreeing to pay to tow your vehicle to the location of your choice, not signing a work order or agreeing to have your vehicle repaired by a specific facility. Remember, you have the choice to decide where to repair your vehicle! Avoid making this decision at the scene of the accident and call your car insurance company first, even if it’s outside of business hours.
- Make sure the quoted cost is reasonable. Your insurer’s claims line should be able to investigate reasonable towing rates for you if you’re not sure. Depending on where you live, there may be standardized rates tow truck drivers have to stick to, and there may be a maximum upcharge limit as well (e.g., in Ontario, the final invoice for a tow may be no higher than the maximum rates outlined on your invoice). You should be able to find your local tow rates online or get in touch with your insurance company for guidance. Bonus tip: Beware of tow truck drivers who tell you your insurance company will cover any costs they charge. While it’s true that towing fees may be covered for your vehicle collision, this can only be determined by your insurance company who can confirm your coverage limits and the maximums rates for coverage.
- Know that you aren’t obligated to pay in cash. Towing companies legally can’t make you pay in cash in most locations — they have to accept credit cards. If a tow truck driver tries to insist that you pay in cash, it may be a sign that something isn’t right. If ever in doubt, call your car insurance company first, even if it’s outside of business hours.
- Keep the receipt and any paperwork provided by the tow driver. You’ll likely need to provide it to your insurance company so they can reimburse you if your policy includes coverage for towing.
While these tips are based on general rules that apply in most locations, towing laws and regulations vary by province and municipality. It’s a good idea to make yourself aware of the towing laws where you live in case you ever need to get your vehicle towed. If you have questions about your car insurance coverage or want to make sure your policy includes towing, contact your car insurance broker today.
It can be hard to think straight and figure out next steps after a collision. Check out this checklist of what to do immediately after you’ve been involved in a car accident to navigate the claims process with confidence.
Are you an Economical customer? If you’ve been in a car accident and need to have your vehicle towed, please contact the Economical Insurance Accident Towing team at 1-888-668-6087. In addition to providing quick, reliable service, they can also transfer you to our claims team to start your claim.
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