Vehicle towing

A car breaking down in the middle of the expressway can be frustrating for any driver. You know for yourself that you have done some preliminary checks before you left for your destination. The truth of the matter is that anything can happen on the road. Your car engine can overheat due to the sweltering heat of the sun or you could suffer from a flat tire. Maybe you have a dead battery.  When your safety and that of your passengers is already at stake due to an undrivable car, it’s time to call for a towing company. 

But before having your vehicle towed, there are certain things you need to do to ensure that you get out of the situation unharmed.  In this article, we will guide you on what needs to be done before availing of towing services.

1. Inform Your Insurance Company 

Some insurance companies offer towing services as part of their car insurance coverage. Your provider will inform you about what steps you can do next. If you are in luck, your insurer will refer you to their preferred repair facilities and get your car picked up. 

2. Determine Whether Your Vehicle Needs To Be Towed 

When you get into an accident or collision, your first instinct would be to have it towed. There might be some instances that you can still safely drive your vehicle away from the scene. Check the condition of your car and decide accordingly: 

• Are your mirrors intact? 
• Is there fluid leaking from the car? 
• Does steering and braking feel right? 
• Are the headlights and taillights still functioning?

If your answer to these questions is “no,” then it signifies that you should consider towing services already. 

3. Make sure your car is ready to go

Make sure that your vehicle is fully prepared to be towed. If you have a flat tire,do fix it first before calling for a towing agency to make the process easier. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire, inform the towing provider in advance. They can assist you in changing the flat tire. If you have gasoline in your car, don’t turn off your car completely as it can catch fire during transport and cause further accidents. 

4. Put your car in park or neutral gear

If you are driving a manual transmission vehicle, make sure to put it in neutral gear. You may need the car to be pushed back so you have someone assist you before the tow truck arrives. If you have an automatic transmission, turn on the emergency brake and put it in park mode. Press the tires firmly against the curb. 

5. Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition 

Once the tow truck arrives, switch off your engine and remove the key from the ignition. Make sure that all the passengers have been unloaded from the vehicle before the towing process begins. In some places, it is a crime to have people inside the car when it is being hooked into cables. It can also cause injuries. 

6. Turn off all accessories and close all windows 

Switch off all accessories such as the radio and brake lights and close all windows. This will protect your car’s electrical system. Not doing so may result in damage when things are in transit. It can be costly on your part especially if you are planning not to do any repairs. 

7. Check the weather and road conditions 

If it is raining or snowing, you may need to remove your car from the busy highway as soon as possible. This is because such weather can attract accidents leaving your car prone to a collision course. 

8. Bring your car to safety

It is essential to park your vehicle in a safe place that is free from obstacles. This means away from other vehicles but also away from trees or buildings. This will give the towing company easy access to your vehicle. If you need to move your car in the meantime, make sure that it is parked somewhere away from traffic and busy streets. 

9. Take pictures of your vehicle  

For documentation purposes, you need to take pictures or videos of your vehicle before towing. You can share this to your insurance provider for assistance especially if there is theft or vandalism, which is very common during towing. 

10. Remove all your valuables 

During towing, it is advisable to remove all your valuables to prevent them from being stolen. If you can’t take them with you, keep them hidden from plain sight. You can lock them up in the trunk before transport.