Before we get into this, it’s important that we start with the following advice… If you have car insurance and have been involved in a car accident, then you need to call your insurer to arrange for a tow service. Insurance companies in South Africa by and large make their own trusted arrangements and pay for that service on your behalf. So, if you let someone else tow your car then you’ll have to pay for it out of your own pocket.
Essentially, if you’re insured, don’t let someone else tow your car that isn’t approved by your insurer.
Now that we’ve got that cleared up, we want to get stuck into a few key points about choosing a towing service to help you move your car. Because there might be a scenario where your insurer won’t send a tow service or you don’t have insurance (which you should, and if you’re looking for cheap cover that you can trust, then just click here for a quote).
These tips are specifically for if you’ve just had an accident and are being circled by tow trucker drivers, aggressively or persuasively trying to get you to let them tow your car away. That said, we think this advice works for less stressful circumstances.
Breathe and ask questions
It can be daunting to try and think of questions in the heat of the moment, so take a second to read through these. A trustworthy company will be happy to provide you with the info that you need. If the driver is acting suspiciously or refusing to answer your questions, that might be a red flag.
Questions you can ask:
- How much will it cost?
- Where will my car be towed to?
- What are the costs once my car arrives at its destination?
- How long has the company been in business for?
- Can I see a valid towing permit and company identification?
Breathe and listen to what the tow truck driver’s asking
Be wary of a driver who asks for way too much personal info. If they’re asking for details that you wouldn’t ordinarily give a business, then they’re not to be trusted. For example, as a woman you don’t want to tell them your home address and whether or not you’re single. And as a man or woman, you don’t want to give too many personal financial details.
Remember, you’re in charge
When it comes to your tow, you’re in control. You’re the 1 who decides who will tow your car and where they will tow it. Also, and this is super important, you actually have the right to refuse a tow for any reason. Even if that reason is that you’re just not comfortable with the driver.
Ultimately, it’s better to have insurance that covers a towing and storage service as part of your policy. After an accident, your mind’s racing and it’s hard to concentrate on these kinds of details… It’s far better to know that your insurer will have your back. In fact, they should provide you with a ‘do not tow’ sticker which informs other parties that help is on its way and usually has the number on it in case you haven’t got the contact details on your phone.
If you want to get insurance that has your back, then click here or call them on 0860 50 50 50.
Posted in partnership with King Price Insurance
