How to Choose the Best Towing Service
When was the last time your car or someone you know had their car break down? In 2019, there were 69 million vehicle breakdowns. YIKES!
You could run out of gas, get a flat tire, get in an accident, or just have a breakdown. In times of crisis, it is best to be prepared. Finding a reliable and fast towing service is crucial. Here is a breakdown (not your car this time) of when to call on a towing service, how to choose the right towing service, and how to determine whether or not your insurance will cover your towing expense.
When To Call on a Towing Service
In the event of a vehicle breakdown, without the help of a tow truck, you may be stranded on the road until a family member or friend can come to help you– or until a kind-hearted stranger stops to lend you a hand. However, a professional towing service is a better solution because they come with the equipment needed to address a myriad of car issues, including tools that can prevent the need for a tow at all.
A tow truck comes equipped to help you with the following issues:
- Vehicle jump starts
- Battery installation
- Engine breakdowns
- Flat tire
- Locked out of the car
- Flatbed towing
Once your car is hooked onto a towing truck, you need to be sure that the towing company handles your car properly and you aren’t manipulated in terms of cost.
How to Choose the Right Towing Service
It’s ideal to pick a towing company before you’re in need of one. Here’s what you can expect from our team’s towing service.
We’ve put together some tips for how to choose the right towing service so that when you do end up in trouble, you know exactly who to call.
1. Research Reviews
Before you choose a towing company, you want to know its reputation. Talk to people you trust– family, friends, colleagues, neighbors –about what towing services they trust.
But you also want to be sure to look for reviews online too. You can ask your Facebook network directly for tow service recommendations, and find reviews of local services on Google, Yelp, Yellowpages, or Angieslist.
A track record of good reviews matters. Look for the average ratings between 4 and 5. Read what people have to say about their experiences with various towing services. A company that is engaging with reviews shows that they take great care of their customers. Expertise in towing is very valuable, but it does not necessarily guarantee good service.
2. Know the Types of Towing Services Offered
Some towing companies offer a specialized kind of service while others offer just about everything. Research in advance to know what each local service offers before you end up in a pinch.
If your car breaks down in the middle of the night, you need a towing service that operates with 24/7 roadside service. If you want to move a car across state lines, you need an interstate towing company. Some towing companies have their own auto body shops and some offer towing only.
Gross & Son offers 24/7 towing service and has a certified auto body shop where we can provide collision repair, automotive detailing, tire alignment, glass and window repair, and wash and vacuum.
3. Research Pricing
When we’re in the dire situation of needing a tow, none of us want a company to take advantage of us. You need to know the cost of a towing company before you hire them.
The two costs you want to research or ask about directly are:
- Price per mile – the rate for transporting the car to whatever destination you request
- Hook-up fee – the cost of attaching the vehicle to the tow truck
Many towing services have additional charges for circumstances such as towing on a holiday, towing off-road, towing interstate, and more. Be sure to compare local towing services on pricing before coming to a decision.
4. Reliability & Experience
Typically the most reliable towing services are the ones that provide 24/7 roadside assistance. Towing companies without this service can respond on their own time regardless of the situation you are in, which can create situations wherein they are highly unreliable to provide quality service.
What must additionally accompany that reliability is a substantial history of towing experience. A new towing company will have a harder time proving they’re worth investing in.
Gross & Son has been in the towing business for over 70 years! You’ll be hard-pressed to find another company with that longevity in the industry, but be sure to find a company with at least several years of reliable experience.
Will Insurance Cover the Towing Expense?
You will want to know prior to hiring a towing service if the service will be covered by your insurance company. If a towing company doesn’t work with major insurance providers, you will have to pay the towing expense out of pocket. (Elcapitalino) When you’re researching local towing companies, note which ones work with which insurance providers.
Gross & Son works with all insurance companies. Seek out towing services that at least work with your insurance provider.
Choose Gross & Son for 24-Hour Towing Service in Pensacola, FL
Gross & Son Paint & Body Shop is one of the best towing companies in Pensacola. We have been in business since 1947 and provide not only towing but have an auto body repair shop and alignment shop to not only rescue your car any time of the day or night along with on-site estimates. We have over 3,000 reviews with 60% being top-rated 5-star reviews. We offer affordable pricing and great service. Here’s what we recommend you do while waiting for a Gross & Son tow truck.
Need a towing service quote in Pensacola? Contact Gross & Son at 850-434-5309 or fill out a contact form.