Towing Information

6 Tips to Spot a Safe and Honest Towing Company

2/3/2014

Ever been stuck on the side of the road? Ever had to call for a tow? If so you have probably been very concerned with getting ripped off. Most people don’t have a lot of money lying around for expensive tow bills and ridiculous made up charges. Things like this tarnish the reputation of every towing company, so we have taken it upon ourselves to make this handy list of 6 tips to spot a safe and honest towing company.

1. First things first, always do your homework.

Spend a little time one day and find a towing company you can rely on (preferably before you are in dire need of one). Look for towing companies that have well built websites that look reputable, and ensure that they are willing to give free price quotes over the phone. Most importantly make sure that the number to call is written down somewhere inside your vehicle. Obviously we hope you will consider us for that job, and if so please remember to write down our number: (801) 974-9561. Kar Toad Towing is available 24 hours a day and will always give a free and fair price quote over the phone.

2. Watch out for companies that promise amazingly low prices over the phone.

If it sounds to good to be true it normally is. A great way to check the validity of a towing company is to call around and ask for another price quote. We here at Kar Toad are always willing to beat any reasonable offer from one of our competitors. If it isn’t reasonable we will be the first to let you know if you are getting tricked. We have been in business since 2005 and have seen every trick in the book. We don’t want to see you get scammed even if your towing with another company.

3. Make sure the company you call is trained and certified.

All tow truck operators are strictly governed in the state of Utah to meet certain criteria. The driver should be able to furnish a certificate showing proof of their training, and be able to show you the Utah Department of Transportation sticker on their truck.

4. Towing shouldn't be difficult to understand.

The company you call should be upfront about all charges and fees, and be able to furnish to you an itemized receipt. All Impound and Private Property towing is strictly regulated in the state of Utah so pricing should be very transparent.

5. Remember that the customer is always right.

This is a service based industry, and our customers happiness is everything. Make sure that the towing company you called is working for you, not against you. Too many dishonest companies lose sight of what matters and only focus on separating you from your money. To Kar Toad Towing your good review means everything to us and word of mouth is responsible for most of our clientele. Remember to go online a rate your towing company, good or bad it will only help out the next person who is stuck on the side of the road.

6. If for any reason you think you are victim of fraudulent activity contact law enforcement.

Most towing companies follow the rules and keep to healthy competition, but as with anything in life there will always be someone trying to beat the system and make a quick buck. Don’t be a victim, If you every need a cheap, reliable, and honest towing company in Salt Lake City give us a call at (801) 974-9561

44 Comments

Joshua K. Savage link

2/16/2015 02:32:03 am

These are very useful tips. Thank you for quality information.

John link

2/9/2017 09:45:04 am

I think the article makes a great point about how you should always do your homework before hiring a a towing company. I can see how doing the proper research can help you find the best possible towing services for when you need them. I have also read that it's really helpful to do you research in advance so you are prepared in case of emergency. That way way your can have the peace of mind when faced with car trouble that your towing service will be excellent.

Jenna Hunter link

3/30/2017 04:56:21 pm

It was so helpful to know that the company you call should be upfront about all charges and fees, and be able to furnish to you an itemized receipt. We broke down about 50 miles from our city when we were coming home from dinner yesterday and we had to push it to the nearest gas station. I will be sure to keep that in mind the next time we break down on the road!

Chris Winters link

6/22/2017 10:56:44 am

I like the idea to do a little research before deciding on a towing service. My car has gotten to be old and it seems like it could break down any moment. I definitely think that I should find a reliable towing service that I could call in case my car happens to break down on me during our road trip next week.

John Billows link

6/28/2017 05:29:54 pm

I like your tip that if the price sounds to good to be true over the phone that means it probably is. Your advice is great to search around a little bit to see what everyone else is charging for the same service. I'll be sure to check 3 or 4 companies to see who is going to give me a reasonable price, but a fair price as well.

Max link

7/17/2017 12:37:34 pm

My brother and I have been looking into some towing services for when one of us get stuck somewhere, since we recently got rid of my truck. I'm glad that you talked about finding someone who offers simple explanations for their towing services that are easy to understand. If we can be sure that the towing services are up-front with us when we need them, I'm really going to enjoy working with them when we need it! Thank you!

rickystowing link

8/19/2017 06:57:58 am

Welcome to Ricky’s Towing, where there is no hill too steep, no ditch too deep, and we smell good! We proudly boast over 50 years of combined experience in the industry. We provide the leading towing service in the Amarillo and surrounding areas. Everything we do, we do 110%. We don’t take shortcuts. Ricky’s Towing drivers are certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. After certification, we train each of them on every piece of equipment they need to know, and require tandem driving and operation until they can operate completely solo with exceptional mastery.Please call +1 (806) 371-7588 for all the details involved in Ricky's Towing.

Barbera Peters link

8/22/2017 07:21:41 am

My sister is in need of help from a towing service since her car broke down on the side of the road and I wanted to help her figure out what company will be the most helpful to her. You mentioned that it is good to check that the company is trained and certified since all tow trucks are strictly governed to meet a criteria. That is really useful information that I will keep in mind when we start looking for companies.

scott link

9/25/2017 07:49:58 pm

I like that you recommend to do your homework before you need them. That way, you can make a rational decision. You might also ask for a list of referrals so you an ask how their service was.

Michael Robinson link

11/6/2017 09:31:12 am

I appreciate what you had to say here about doing your homework when calling someone to tow your car. Just like you explained so clearly, looking for a company that is reputable and has an easily accessible website and phone number would be a great place to start. My 1994 Altima breaks down because of its old age and it is important for me to have a towing agency on call just in case. Thanks again!

Derek Dewitt link

12/8/2017 09:57:49 am

My wife and I are looking for a new towing company to keep in our phone contacts in case there is an emergency, but we aren't familiar with the local companies. I like that you suggest looking for well-built websites that look reputable and provide free quotes over the phone. I'll be sure to check a few sites to see if the companies are willing to do this for me. Thanks for the help!

Jeremy Thompson link

12/8/2017 04:35:02 pm

I like how you mentioned that some states have criteria to be met before tow truck operators can be certified. That's reassuring to learn for having the government have them tested and passed would mean that they can be trusted and well-trained. I'll be sure to look for towing services with a certification for my peace of mind and my car's safety. Thanks!

Kairi Gainsborough link

12/13/2017 02:11:25 pm

I love the suggestion to start looking for a reliable towing company before you are in dire need of one. If you have already put in the time and checked for references, then when the day comes that your car gets a flat tire or breaks down, you will know who to call. I also think it is a good idea to look for a company that you know will be covered by your car insurance if you have coverage for it. Otherwise, it would be good to compare rates beforehand.

Deb Pearl link

1/16/2018 09:34:10 am

My friend got into a small accident last week, and she didn't have a towing company to call when it happened. I would love to be prepared and make sure I have a company I can call in an emergency. That is a great idea to look for a towing company that have a great website that looks reputable and they can give free quotes over the phone. That would be a good way to see if they are a great company.

Ashley Maxwell link

1/31/2018 05:37:39 pm

Thanks for your tip to choose a towing company that is well-trained. I like how you said that they should be able to show you their certifications for the state in which they work as well. My husband and I are looking into towing services in case we ever find ourselves in need of a tow truck rescue.

Derek McDoogle link

3/21/2018 01:24:31 pm

I like that you suggested asking for an itemized receipt when getting a tow. I will make sure to keep this in mind when I go on my trip to Montana later this year. Should I need a tow, I will be that much more knowledgeable about what to expect. Thanks for your great tips and advice!

Bethany Birchridge link

4/4/2018 07:19:59 am

I completely agree that a tow truck company should be completely upfront with fees and services. My friend's car recently broke down and she needs to get it towed. I think these tips will really help her find a trustworthy towing service.

Ridley link

4/5/2018 12:45:24 pm

You've got some great tips for finding a towing service. I like how you said that you want to make sure that they have a certificate showing their training. Next time we need a tow job, I'll be sure to make sure the company we hire is trained and professional!

Candice Eisenhower link

6/25/2018 08:54:41 pm

You made a good point about picking a towing service that lets you know about their charges right away to set your expectations from the start, as well as providing you with a receipt as proof of a legit transaction. You'll never know if you can afford the services while stuck in the middle of nowhere so knowing how much their value is would help you weigh your options. This is something that I will surely bare in the mind in the event that I'll be needing a towing service to take my car for repair.

Bethany Birchridge link

7/13/2018 10:28:52 am

Thanks for the great tip to ask the tow truck driver to show his certification to you, as it will help you get better service. My friend is moving to a new area, so she's been looking for a good 24 hour towing company to help her if she gets in a pinch. These tips will help her find an honest towing company, so thank you for sharing them.

Rosie Beckett link

7/31/2018 09:41:33 am

My husband and I are looking for a quality towing company that we can keep on file to call if our car breaks down on the road I appreciate that you say to call different companies and find out about their prices. You make a great point that this will provide information about all of the services they offer and make it easier to compare different towing companies. Also, I will definitely take the time to visit their facility and make sure that they provide quality customer service and have friendly staff.

Ridley link

8/7/2018 01:09:25 pm

You've got some great tips for finding a towing service. I like how you said that doing homework and looking up websites is the first step. We're hoping to find someone in our new neighborhood, so I'll start doing some research.

Frank Delaware link

8/23/2018 11:48:13 am

I never knew that you should make sure that the driver is able to furnish a certificate of their training. I know that I would love to see where they received their training from. Plus, it would also be nice to see if they are still working on their training to keep up with the current times.

Taylor Anderson link

11/14/2018 07:21:37 am

My little brother's car has been having trouble starting, so I think he may need to get it towed to a mechanic. It was helpful when you mentioned that one should make sure the towing company they hire has proof of their certifications on them, as it will help you know that they can safely handle the job. These tips will really help me if I need to get towed, so thank you for sharing them.

Gary Puntman link

1/23/2019 09:39:25 am

I agree that you should always do research when you're finding a tow truck. You should make sure you find a company that is reputable and established, like you said. That might be one of the most important things to having the best experience with them as possible.

Sariah Meagle link

2/10/2019 05:15:55 pm

I do agree that towing shouldn't be difficult to understand so I'll hire a 24-hour service that can provide me with easy-to-understand terms of service. Since you mentioned that the company should be trained and certified, I'll look for a list that has been approved in the Yellow Pages to be sure of their certifications. Doing my homework as you suggest is also vital in case my car breaks down so I'll keep a list of services listed that I know are certified and insured as well.

Daphne Gilpin link

2/15/2019 11:56:47 am

I like your suggestion to spend some time researching local towing companies before we find ourselves in need of one. My husband and I just moved to new area, so I'll need to find a new towing company for the next time we need a tow. I'd hate to make a bad decision because I needed a tow and was rushed, so I think I'll take your advice and start doing my research now!

Adrian Jones link

3/26/2019 04:15:07 pm

I like how you mentioned that when it comes to looking for a towing service, they should be upright and honest about all charges and fees, and at the same time provide a receipt detailing these expenses--as pricing must be transparent between the service and the person looking to hire such service. Another thing to consider is that the towing company is certified and licensed to operate their business, so it's also important to ask for their papers to fact-check their services with the BBB as well. While I haven't the need for towing services just yet, at least I now know what criteria to watch out for when it comes to hiring a towing service in the future.

Gillian Babcock link

4/28/2019 04:23:26 pm

My brother's car broke down and he wants to have it sent to the repair shop right away, so, he's looking for a towing company. It was mentioned here that he should do his homework and make sure that the company is certified. Furthermore, it's recommended to hire professional training services for quality work.

Brooklyn Johnson link

5/2/2019 11:53:58 am

Thank you for mentioning that when hiring a towing service it's important to find someone who offers simple explanations for their services that are easy to understand, so you know that they are reliable. My husband and I have been looking into finding a towing service in case one of us gets stuck somewhere since we recently got rid of our truck. I will definitely keep your great tips and information in mind in my search for a reliable towing company.

Shayla Cademis link

7/2/2019 10:22:03 am

Thanks for the suggestion to check the validity of a towing company by calling around and asking for another price quote. My husband's car recently broke down, and we need to get it towed to a mechanic. However, our neighbor was warning us about towing scams, so I'm glad you addressed to how navigate that difficulty in your article. Hopefully we can find a great and reliable towing company in our area!

Randy Chorvack link

7/29/2019 08:52:34 am

I like how you said if it's too good to be true then it probably is. Lower prices don't mean much if the quality of work is just as low. I'll make sure to do my research when I need a towing service.

Eli Richardson link

7/29/2019 09:12:53 am

I agree that a towing company should have a certificate to proof the training of the staff. I am in need of a towing service to remove an old tractor in my back yard. It would be great to find a towing company that could help me remove it since it has flat tires and its a heavy machine.

Jay Jorgenson link

9/19/2019 11:03:49 am

My friend wants to know how to identify a reliable towing company. I like how you explain to compare towing companies prices. Thank you for the information. I'll recommend my friend to compare several towing company prices before hiring one.

Angela Waterford link

9/24/2019 11:57:04 am

I'm sure that there might be a day where my car will break down and I'll need it to be towed to the nearest mechanic. I think I'll find a local towing company since I don't travel much outside of my town. You're right about saying that I should try to look for companies with well-built websites that indicate their expertise, so I might start looking around.

Ellie Davis link

10/21/2019 07:49:03 am

It's interesting to know that you need to spend some time to find a towing company that you can trust to help you. My brother is moving to another city, and we are looking for advice to help him during his trip. I will make sure to get a towing company's phone number to help him if anything happens.

Ron Booker link

10/24/2019 09:59:02 am

I like that you said that when calling for tow truck services they need to be transparent on charges. My wife told me that one of his friends requires a tow truck to pick up her car an hour away from her home. I'm going to see if I can find a good tow truck company that can help her budget.

Wade Joel link

10/29/2019 10:51:45 am

Thanks for talking about the importance of making sure that the company you call is trained and certified. I didn't know that a driver should be able to show proof of their training with a certificate. I'll make sure to do that now that I'll start searching for towing services to prepare for my next road trip!

kate hansen link

11/7/2019 09:09:06 am

It was helpful when you said that you should look for one who has a good website. My brother has a bad truck that has had a lot of startup issues. He always seems to fix it by himself but he wants to know how to find a towing company in case he can't fix it on his own. I'll make sure to pass this information along to him so he can know what to look for when hiring a towing company.

Skyler Williams link

12/27/2019 04:07:50 pm

Thank you for your tip to do your homework before hiring a towing company. Last year my brother got stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night. I went to get him. Next time we'll just find a tow truck to call.

Shaylee Packer link

1/6/2020 05:50:06 am

You mention that it is a good idea to do your research on a towing company and choose one before the need arises. I have never thought about this before, but it makes sense. I'm sure there are many of us who frantically choose a company when the accident occurs. Are there certain towing companies that insurances work with?

Callum Palmer link

1/29/2020 10:03:58 am

I agree, you will definitely want to make sure that the towing company you hire is properly trained and certified. After all, you will be relying on this company to take care of and move your car. Because of this, you will want to make sure that they have been properly trained to safely move cars.

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2/18/2022 04:57:54 am

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