A lot can happen when you are on the road, with collisions and accidents being the worst-case scenario. If you get into a collision or an accident and your car is no longer safe to drive, surely your vehicle will need to be towed to a nearby repair shop. In addition to the aforementioned scenarios, running out of gas, getting a flat tire, or a dead battery can be other reasons you may need to a contact a towing company or roadside assistance.
However, before you have your vehicle towed, it is necessary to know about your rights as a towing customer and what to look out for when the tow driver arrives. While most truck drivers and towing companies are honest and professional, there is an increasing number of people looking to take advantage of people shaken from collisions or accidents.
This blog enlists all the important steps you can take before getting your vehicle towed.
1. Call Your Insurance Company
After taking a breather from the collision, call your insurer even if it is out of business hours. Your insurer can inform you about what to do next. They can advise you on reasonable towing rates, and make sure there is no delay in the repair of your vehicle. Sometimes your insurer will refer you to their preferred repair facilities and get your car picked up.
If you are unable to reach your insurer at the time, you can still have your vehicle towed to a repair center using a professional towing company like Car Towing Melbourne.
2. Determine Whether Your Vehicle Needs Towing
When you get into an accident or a collision your first instinct may be to get it towed. But the reality is, that there are high chances you can drive your vehicle yourself from the scene. Check your cars’ condition and decide accordingly. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are all your mirrors intact?
- Is your vehicle free from fluid leaks?
- Do steering and braking feel right?
- Are the headlights and taillights still working?
If you can’t answer these questions as a yes, then you need to get your vehicle towed to a repair shop.
3. Prepare Your Car For Towing
While waiting for the tow truck, prepare your car to be towed safely. Remember to take detailed photos of the damaged parts and the collision scene – they help in legal procedures. Next, remember to take all the pricey and valuable items out of your car before giving access to the tow driver.
4. Double-check The Arriving Tow Truck
Some tow drivers wait at the side of the road and reach the accident side quickly to get new business. Therefore, double-check if the arriving truck is from the company you ordered from. It is important to be cautious rather than bearing more losses to an already damaged vehicle.
5. Complete Paperwork And Check Costs
The tow driver is obligated to provide you an itemized invoice, not a blank contract or work order. Never sign a contract that does not specify the place your vehicle will be towed to and for what you are paying for.
Secondly, check the costs and make sure you are being charged with the standardized rates. The rate may vary from area to area. You can find the rates of your area online or with an insurance guide.
6. Keep The Receipt
Make sure to keep the towing receipt safe with you. You will need to provide it to your insurance company if they cover towing services in their package.
About Us
If you ever find yourself stranded after a collision call Car Towing Melbourne. Our professional team and quality tow trucks will tow your vehicle to a repair shop safely.
Now Car Towing Melbourne is available in Essendon Victoria 3040, Australia.
Car Towing Melbourne
(03) 7037 7625