When your car breaks down, it can be a scary and frustrating situation. Luckily, there are car towing services that can help you get back on the road. However, not everyone knows about how these services work or how to hire a trustworthy company. Fortunately, with a little bit of knowledge, you can avoid paying high fees or getting taken advantage of by rogue towing companies. Here are six things you should know about car towing services.

When you need a tow truck, it’s best to call around for prices and services offered by different companies before choosing one. Most importantly, find out what they charge for the service and if it is covered by your insurance. Moreover, you should remove all personal belongings from the vehicle before they arrive. This is important because towing companies aren’t liable for lost or stolen items.

The cost of towing varies from company to company, but it typically depends on the distance of the tow and the type of car. For example, if you are towing a large vehicle, such as an RV or a trailer, the cost will be much higher than towing a regular sedan. Another factor is the amount of time the tow will take. Generally, long-distance towing takes longer than local towing because the driver has to travel further to pick up the vehicle and transport it to its destination.

A towing service will have a dispatch center where you can call to schedule a tow. The dispatcher will then ask for details of the problem with your vehicle. Then, they will send a truck with a driver to your location. Some dispatch centers use technology such as GPS and wireless equipment to communicate with drivers.

There are a variety of reasons why you may need to call for roadside assistance, such as running out of gas or an engine failure. Some of these issues can be fixed on the spot, but others require a tow truck to bring your car to an auto repair shop. Some companies, such as HONK, offer on-demand car towing in New York City, and they will connect you with a background-checked, professional driver within minutes.

You should always keep the contact number of a trusted towing company in your wallet and on your phone in case of an emergency. Also, make sure that you have your vehicle insurance information, such as the policy number and contact information of your carrier. This is especially important if you have roadside assistance coverage. Some insurers have limited mileage or price limits for their roadside assistance services. If this is the case, you should keep your receipts and contact information to dispute any charges. If your insurer won’t cover the costs, you can use a credit card to pay for the service. You can also download a mobile app like HONK to get a fast, free estimate on a nearby towing service. Then, you can tap a button on your smartphone to request a tow truck.