Dallas and Huston are the top two cities in the USA with the most hostile towing practices for consumers according to a survey conducted by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
While there may be honest towing firms, the few bad operators have created enough problems to give the industry a bad name. Anytime your car breaks down, or you get into an accident, you may need the services of a towing company.
So, how do you identify some of the tow truck scams in play and save yourself from dangerous, frustrating, and expensive gimmicks?
Understanding the Different Tow Truck Scams
Tow truck company scammers use spotters who report of any break-down sighting along the road. While it may seem like a huge relief when a tow truck appears, you may end up paying high fees once you hand over your keys to them.
Parking lot scams are also widespread for towers. Spotters survey private parking lots and shopping centers looking for cars that are illegally parked. They will inform a local tow truck company who will collect the vehicle.
If you happen to be a victim, you will have to pay the towing fees, the storage fees, and any other necessary fees before you can retrieve your vehicle.
Another common scam is towing operators targeting high-end vehicles. The type of car you own will tell a scammer if you have enough resources to pay the hefty bills they put in place.
Scammers will avoid you if you have an old car. They also tend to avoid you if you have a super expensive car since they may not have the towing company insurance to cater for any damage that happens.
How Do You Avoid Towing Scams
You can avoid these tow truck scams by practicing several safety measures.
Know Which Towing Company Is Offering Help to You
When you get into an accident, you should be careful of whoever offers to help you. You find tow trucks appearing out of nowhere just at the right time. No matter how coincidental it may seem, you should not use one unless you called it.
There is a high probability of such a tow truck being owned by a scammer. If you are not careful, you may end up signing towing papers at a high and unnecessary charge.
Before receiving the services of the tow truck, always verify their information. You can, however, trust them if your insurance company sends them to help you. The wait may be longer but worthwhile.
Keep Your Insurance Information Safe
You only need to provide the necessary information to your insurer. You should beware of any tower that asks for your insurance information. Chances are they will use this information to scam you by pretending to be your insurance provider.
Understand Your Insurance Coverage
Always double check your insurance cover before you can use your vehicle and encounter a roadside emergency or get into an accident. Please consult with your insurer where necessary and ensure you have enough clarity in what their coverage entails.
Get Your Towing Fees in Writing
To prevent any extra expenses, you should always get your charges in writing before receiving any services. You should not base your agreement on another person’s words alone since you have no guarantee that they will stick to it.
Do You Need to Hire a Tow Truck?
While it may not be easy to find a reputable towing company, there are still some good ones that you can rely on to give you an excellent service. You do not need to pay a hefty bill to get the right services.
Contact us today if you require any towing services around Dallas and Fort Worth areas.