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Vehicles get stranded every day on the busy roads of Melbourne and Brisbane. After getting into an emergency, the first thing a driver must worry about is which towing service to hire. To understand, the essentials of finding the right tow company are key. However, while choosing a tow, being specific is crucial. Understanding the process and finding out the best towing service can make things easier and cost-effective.
It’s worth noting and following a few important things that can save your money, time and relieve your stress. However, in big Cities like Melbourne and Brisbane the towing industry is competitive. Many companies are professional and trustworthy, but others might take advantage of and overcharge the stranded vehicles.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the five important things to consider before calling a towing service in Melbourne, including the hidden costs and finding reliable companies.
1. Read Comments and Reviews
Some of the best towing companies depend on trust and reliability. When a driver is stranded in the middle of the road, there isn’t enough time to research for hours. Search for the reliable towing companies by looking for the reviews and comments on Facebook groups, Google Maps, Reddit and Quora. A few quick checks, like the reviews and ratings, can help you make the right decision. Also, pay attention to the way people have responded to the good and bad reviews.
For instance, while looking for the best services, you can find answers about people getting the best and affordable nearby services. Or is a particular towing company trustworthy?
Look for suggestions, clear contact information and service photos. Moreover, contact a couple of companies, the ones that are clear, polite and prompt to reviews are usually more reliable.
Some of the key differences between a reliable and professional company and an unreliable one:
- A reputable company is available 24/7, as breakdowns rarely happen at convenient times.
- Check verified views on authentic platforms, like Google Maps, Facebook. The good companies will have positive feedback from the customers.
- Reliable companies must have official licensing and insurance to protect both your car and themselves.
- A professional company invests in having premium-quality equipment to ensure safety for your car.
2. Cost of Towing Service
Accidents, breakdowns or emergencies on the road are unfortunate and stressful. To avoid any further damage to your car, every driver desires to discover a reasonable towing service. But before calling a towing company, prepare yourself with the right questions.
Some people end up paying much more than expected because they don’t ask the right questions. Knowing how much a towing service may cost can help you analyse your total finances.
However, the towing costs are not always standard, but vary depending on various factors, including:
Vehicle Type: Towing cost may vary depending on the area. In local towing, the cost will be anywhere between $80-$150. Moreover, larger and heavier vehicles (SUVs or vans) have more towing cost as compared to the smaller ones.
Distance from the towing: Most towing companies charge an extra cost per kilometre after a certain base distance. With an extra mile, the tow services can be expensive, reaching up to $200-$1000. Similarly, if your car is stuck in a hard-to-reach place, you might be charged extra for the recovery.
Emergency or Extra hour service: the urgency also adds an extra pound to the already expensive service. In such cases, the surcharge may vary between $50-$200 for after-hours towing.
Special Vehicles: Similarly, if luxury vehicles, vintage cars and motorcycles need to be towed, the charges may rise to substantial levels.
Additionally, the new customers may find out through reviews on platforms like Reddit and Facebook groups, people have experienced paying administrative fees, call-out charges or hookup fees that inflate their final bills. To avoid such unexpected add-ons, drivers must ask the company for a written or verbal quote that includes all the charges.
Also read: The Hidden Car Problems That Can Cause Sudden Breakdowns
3. Towing Methods
Depending on the type of vehicles, different towing methods can be applied to specific situations. The three main towing types include flatbed towing, wheel-lift towing, and dolly towing:
Flatbed Towing: Mostly, the towing companies use flatbed services as the safest and reliable method. For large vehicles, including high-wheel trucks or high-value vehicles, the flatbed is preferred.
Wheel-Lift Towing: This type of towing lifts the rear wheels, making it ideal for short-distance towing.
Dolly Towing: This is also suitable for short-distance towing. Only the front wheels are lifted, often used for front-wheel drive cars.
Discussing your towing options with the particular company’s manager ensures your vehicle is handled safely. However, flatbed towing is considered to be the most secure choice for almost all types of vehicles.
4. Beware of Scams
One of the biggest scams that drivers complain about after hiring a tow is discovering hidden costs. These hidden charges turn the fair price into a costly experience. The most common hidden or unnecessary charges are:
After-hour service fees: Even the companies that claim affordable towing might charge extra for the late hours or weekends.
Extra miles: Hidden charges might vary with the distance. A company that charges a base fee for 10 km might charge higher rates beyond that.
Paperwork charges: You may find out that the company has added paperwork costs as an add-on to your bill.
Storage fees: If the vehicle is towed to their yard instead of a repair shop, they might charge an additional amount for daily storage.
Credit card charges: Paying through a card sometimes adds a small fee that was not mentioned by the company upfront
Predatory Towing: The tow trucks sometimes take advantage of a person’s stranded vehicle that shows up unsolicited, and offer to tow your car. Later on, the driver might get caught by the hefty hidden cost and inflated fees.
Remember that in any case, the cost of towing should be discussed clearly before the tow begins. Ask the right questions of the company you are hiring from for the tow truck. Transparency is the key to professional and reliable business.
Also read: Towing Scams in Australia: What Every Driver Must Know Before Hitting the Road
5. Know Your Rights and Insurance Coverage
Understanding the insurance coverage and the driver’s rights is the most essential thing. If you are stranded on the road, you might not need to pay for a tow from your pocket. Many insurance policies in Australia cover towing to an approved repair shop. However, the coverage varies and depends on the distance and situation. Knowing your rights always saves you from the unnecessary cost of towing services later.
Before calling a towing company, learn about your rights and contact your insurance provider to ask which towing services fits well with your situation:
- Keep your insurer’s contact information saved in your phone for any emergencies.
- Find out whether your insurance policy covers roadside assistance or towing.
- Identify the towing distance, which is sometimes limited to a certain number of kilometres.
6. Ask the Right Questions
The final, most important thing is to ask the right questions that can immediately help the customer identify whether they have opted for the professional and reliable service or not.
Some key questions that have been asked and recommended by the experienced drivers are:
1. What’s the towing cost?
Keep this in mind, this should include the basic fees, per-kilometre rates and any extra charges.
2. Where will my vehicle be towed to?
Confirm the exact location, whether it be your home, a repair shop, or their storage yard?
3. Are there any hidden charges?
Ask for any hidden or additional charges for weekends, late nights or public holidays. Get this information upfront to avoid any surprise inflated bills.
4. Is your company insured, and does it have an insurance policy?
This will protect you in case any damage occurs during transport.
5. What payment methods do you accept?
Payment methods also vary with different companies; ask if there are extra charges for online transfers.
By asking these questions, you can clear your mind and will be able to gauge how transparent and customer-oriented a company is.
Choosing a well-reviewed local towing company with established credibility can save a lot of time, stress and money. Look for local companies that have faster response times, and are familiar with the routes and the nearby repair shops.
Also read: 5 Essential Tips for Stress-Free Aussie Road Trips
About Cheap Tow
Cheap Tow has a simple mission to make towing services affordable, accessible and stress-free for your car. As a trusted towing and roadside assistance across Melbourne and Victoria, Cheap Tow specializes in emergency towing, vehicle safety and ensures customers’ peace of mind. Cheap Tow’s professional 24-hour and 7-day-a-week assistance makes the difference in getting you and your vehicle back on the track.
Cheap Tow prioritizes customer satisfaction, affordability and safety by handling the situation with utmost care. A team of experienced professionals provide efficient and damage-free service every time. For more details and assistance, call us at: +61 470 320 481 or 24/7 Towing Helpline: 0470 320 481 serving Victoria and interstate.
