It is almost impossible to imagine a driver who has never had any problems with their vehicle while on the road, has never had an accident of some sort, or has never run out of fuel with the nearest gas station being a couple of miles away. In such situations, when you got stuck on a road shoulder with your car refusing to move, the only solution is to use the services of a towing company. While most of the firms working in this business are honest and serve their clients by the highest industry standards, there are also some black sheep in the family whose only goal is to fish more money out of your pocket for less work or no work at all. If you don’t want to pay exorbitant towing bills for every little service you’ve been provided, here are some signs that a towing company should be approached with caution.
1. The truck appears out of the blue
When right after an accident you see a truck coming in your direction, never trust it. You should either let the police call a towing company or do it yourself. A towing truck that seems to have appeared at the right time without a call may turn out to be a scam. When the driver starts asking you for some confidential information such as your insurance details, there is definitely something suspicious going on.
2. The towing company has no proper insurance and license
A good towing company must have an appropriate license to perform their services, as well as insurance. If a company doesn’t have all the required documents, you may be held liable if something goes wrong while your vehicle is being towed away.
3. The company doesn’t monitor your car round-the-clock
A reliable towing company has efficient measures of safeguarding their clients’ vehicles from being accidentally/purposefully damaged or being stolen. If the company can’t guarantee the safety of your car 24 hours a day, look for an alternative.
4. The towing truck arrives ages after your call
Half an hour is a standard time for a truck of a nearby company to get to the place where a client is stuck with their car. A little longer is acceptable, too. However, if it takes two hours or even an hour, that’s a clear sign of incompetence.
5. The towing truck is dirty and has seen better days
If the towing company sends you a truck that looks battered and dirty, there is no guarantee that your vehicle will not get damaged while being transported. The poor maintenance of a towing truck is the management’s fault. So, the company doesn’t deserve your trust.
6. The mechanic is unkempt, uncooperative, and indifferent to your problems
A mechanic’s appearance is important, too. It is true that it is hard to remain clean while doing this type of work. Still, professionals should try to look presentable, avoiding torn pockets or oily stains a meter in diameter. The mechanic’s attitude is also a good indicator. If a technician shows that they don’t care what is going to happen to you or your vehicle, it should put you on the alert.
7. Nothing is put down in writing
A reliable towing company always provides official signed papers (invoices, contracts, etc.). By contrast, a bad firm avoids working with documents, which allows it to take more money from their clients without actually rendering any services.
8. No website or the website looks unprofessional
Any respectable business nowadays must have an online presence. View the company’s website. If it is professionally-made and you can find other clients’ testimonials there, then this company can be trusted.
9. Not available at all times
If you can’t contact the towing company at all times, continue searching for another service nearby. What will happen when you suddenly get stuck on a country road at midnight and no one at the office picks up the receiver? You will hardly want to spend the whole night inside your car in the middle of nowhere.
Finding a vehicle transporting company worthy of trust is very important for any car owner. To avoid costly mistakes, watch for the signs listed above. You can also ask your friends or colleagues about a company they know or search for reviews on the Internet.
