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ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES
4 Questions
Pull as far off the road as possible — onto the shoulder or an exit ramp if you can reach one safely. Turn on your hazard lights immediately, even before the car fully stops.
Do not stay in the vehicle if you’re on a highway shoulder — exit from the passenger side away from traffic and move behind the guardrail. Call 911 if you feel unsafe, then call a tow service. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher and keep your location as specific as possible. If it’s dark, stay visible with a flashlight or the flashlight on your phone, but don’t stand in or near the travel lanes.
PRO TIP
The shoulder of a highway is one of the most dangerous places to be. Even if your car is driveable, it’s often safer to drive slowly to the next exit than to stop on a high-speed shoulder at night.
It depends on where you’re stopped. On a highway or high-speed road, get out and stand well behind the guardrail — staying in a vehicle on the shoulder is one of the most dangerous positions on the road. On a side street or parking lot, staying in the car is generally fine.
Turn on your hazard lights immediately and, if you have them, place road flares or reflective triangles behind the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic.
In most urban and suburban areas, a tow truck arrives within 30 to 60 minutes of dispatch. Rural areas can extend that to 60 to 90 minutes depending on distance. Traffic, weather, and current call volume all affect response time.
When you call, ask the dispatcher for an estimated time of arrival — a reputable company will give you a realistic window, not a vague promise.
Have your exact location ready — a street address, mile marker, or nearby landmark. Know your vehicle’s year, make, model, and whether it’s in neutral or locked in park. Tell the dispatcher the reason for the tow (accident, breakdown, flat tire, etc.) and where you want the vehicle taken.
The more specific you are, the faster dispatch can match you with the right truck and equipment for your situation.
COSTS & INSURANCE
2 Questions
Towing costs vary by location, distance, and vehicle type. Most companies charge a hook-up fee (typically $50 to $150) plus a per-mile rate (usually $2 to $7 per mile). A short local tow of 5 to 10 miles commonly runs $75 to $200. Long-distance towing, heavy-duty vehicles, or specialty equipment cost significantly more.
Always ask for a written or verbally confirmed estimate before the truck is hooked up. A reputable company will give you a price before they touch the vehicle.
Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance or towing coverage as an add-on, but it’s not automatic — you have to elect it. Check your declarations page or call your insurer before you need a tow to confirm coverage. Some policies reimburse you after the fact rather than paying the towing company directly.
AAA membership, credit card benefits, and manufacturer roadside programs (like those from Ford, GM, or Toyota) may also cover towing costs. It’s worth knowing what you have before you’re stranded.
PRO TIP
Take a photo of the estimate or get it confirmed by text before the driver hooks up. Disputes about towing charges are much easier to resolve when there’s a record of what was agreed to before the tow.
VEHICLE TYPES & EQUIPMENT
4 Questions
A flatbed tow truck loads the entire vehicle onto a flat platform, so all four wheels are off the ground during transport. This is the safest method for all-wheel drive vehicles, low-clearance cars, and vehicles with significant damage.
A wheel-lift tow uses a hydraulic arm to lift and cradle either the front or rear wheels while the other set rolls on the road. Wheel-lift towing works well in tight spaces for standard vehicles, but without the use of dollies, wheel-lift towing is not appropriate for AWD or 4WD vehicles.
Yes, but preferably on a flatbed — all four wheels must not be allowed to come in contact with the road during the tow. Towing an AWD vehicle with any wheels rolling can seriously damage the drivetrain, transfer case, or transmission, resulting in repair costs that far exceed the cost of the tow.
Always specify if your vehicle is AWD or 4WD when you call, and confirm the tow truck being sent is either a flatbed or a wheel-lift with dollies.
Winching is the process of pulling a vehicle out of a ditch, mud, snow, or other off-road position using a motorized truck-mounted winch and a steel wire rope. It’s needed when a vehicle cannot extricate itself on its own power or is positioned where a tow truck operator can’t get close enough to load it for towing.
Winching is typically charged separately from the tow itself — usually as an additional flat fee or hourly rate. If you’re off-road or stuck in stuck in the mud, let the dispatcher know upfront and approximately how far your vehicle is from solid surface so they send a truck equipped for recovery.
A properly trained operator using the right equipment for your vehicle type should not cause any damage. Damage typically occurs when the wrong towing method is used (improper towing of an AWD, for example), when attachment points are incorrect, or when the vehicle is not loaded correctly.
Before the tow, walk around the vehicle with the driver and document any existing damage with photos on your phone. If damage occurs during towing, report it to the company immediately — reputable towing companies carry liability insurance for exactly this reason.
YOUR RIGHTS & THE LAW
3 Questions
If your vehicle was towed from private property or as a result of a police order, you have the right to know where it was taken and to retrieve it during reasonable hours. Most states require towing companies to notify local law enforcement within a set timeframe after a non-consent tow.
You’re entitled to an itemized bill. If you believe a tow was wrongful — inadequate signage, improper procedure — contact your local consumer protection office or a consumer attorney. Regulations vary significantly by state, so knowing your state’s towing laws is worth the few minutes it takes to look them up.
A non-consent tow (also called a private property impound or police-ordered tow) happens without the vehicle owner’s direct request — typically because the vehicle was illegally parked, involved in an accident, or abandoned.
Non-consent tows are regulated more strictly than consent tows in most states, with rules around notification timelines, maximum storage fees, and the owner’s right to retrieve the vehicle. If your vehicle was non-consent towed, call local law enforcement first to confirm the location.
Look for companies licensed and insured in your state, with verifiable physical addresses and established local reviews on Google or the Better Business Bureau. Avoid companies that refuse to give a price estimate before arrival, demand cash only, or can’t confirm their license information.
In a non-emergency, ask your mechanic, insurer, or dealership for a recommendation — they work with towing companies regularly and know who is reliable in your area.
THE TOW PROCESS
2 Questions
Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, place them 50 to 100 feet behind the vehicle. Gather any belongings you might need. Your ID, insurance card, and — especially any valuables you don’t want left behind during the tow.
If you’re not going to remain with your vehicle, leave your keys in the ignition or place them in a secure spot for safe keeping. Then relay the location of the keys to the dispatcher. Regardless of the reason for the tow, the tow truck operator will need the keys. Lastly, document the vehicle’s condition with photos before the tow truck hooks up — this protects you in the event of any dispute about damage.
There is no universal maximum — most local towing companies handle distances up to 50 miles comfortably, and many will go further for the right rate. For long-distance towing (100 miles or more, or cross-state), you typically need to arrange with a company that specializes in long-haul transport.
Expect the cost of the tow to be higher for longer distances, depending on the distance. And confirm the total estimated cost and the destination address before agreeing to the tow.
PRO TIP
If your vehicle needs to go to a specific shop, tell the dispatcher where your vehicle needs to go before the truck is dispatched — not after it arrives. Some repair shops don’t take delivery after hours, and the towing company may need to make other arrangements.
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