If you’re stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night, 24/7 towing can definitely be a lifesaver. However, there five critical things you need to know about the service before you call a towing provider. What are they? The experts at Minnetonka Collision have the details below.
Weight Limits Determine Response Times
Before you call for 24/7 towing, know your vehicle’s towing requirements. What exactly does that mean? Every tow truck is designed to handle a specific weight range, which means if your vehicle is heavier than the average car or truck, you’ll require a bigger truck to get the job done.
Because many towing companies have a limited number of heavy-duty tow trucks, you may have to wait longer for the truck to arrive, so be prepared for that. Your vehicle’s manual should provide information on its towing requirements, so give it a read before you call for a tow. That way, you’ll know what to expect in terms of wait times.
Watch Out for Dead Zones
If you know your vehicle is on the verge of a breakdown, check the cell service in your area. Many interstate stretches are service dead zones, which means if you get stuck in one of those, even an emergency towing company can’t come to your rescue. The same idea applies to driving on fumes — don’t risk it if you know you might not have cell service.
You May Have a Limited Number of Free Tows
If your insurance company covers towing, or if you have a specialty towing service provider, you may be entitled to a limited number of free tows each year. Many vehicle owners aren’t aware of this bonus, or they completely forget about it in the midst of a chaotic situation, which means they end up forking over cash they don’t actually need to pay.
Before you call for 24/7 towing, contact your insurance provider to inquire about your coverage and payment options. If you subscribe to a service like AAA, check in with customer service to determine how many free tows you’re entitled to.
Don’t Forget Your Valuables!
It might seem like basic common sense, but don’t forget to remove your valuables from your vehicle before you call for emergency towing! It’s easy to assume you’ll be able to collect those items from your vehicle after the tow, but that’s not always the case. Moreover, if your vehicle sustained damage during an accident, and that’s the reason for the tow, your valuables could be exposed to damaging moisture while your vehicle is in transit.
Keep an Eye Out for Inclement Weather
Before you call for a tow, check the weather. If your vehicle sustained damage and that’s the reason for the tow, make sure there are no openings through which water can enter during transit. Rain — whether it’s a drizzle or a torrential downpour — can damage the interior electrical components of your vehicle unless you seal off all openings before your vehicle is loaded onto the tow truck.
If you’re unsure of how to protect an in-transit, damaged vehicle from environmental impacts, communicate with your towing provider. Many towing companies are knowledgeable about how to properly cover vehicles that may sustain damage when exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Minnetonka Collision: Your Twin Cities Source for 24/7 Towing Services
If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Minnetonka Collision. In addition to our emergency towing services, we also specialize in concierge service and comprehensive auto body repairs, so when you need quality service you can trust, make us your first call! To request tow service or schedule a free estimate for repairs, give our team a call today at 763-230-7805 or get in touch with us online, and we’ll get back to you promptly.