What to know before you tow
These tips can save you hassle and money in the event of a collision or vehicle breakdown.
People within the two-truck industry itself, describe the business as, ‘cut-throat’, and refer to fellow tow-truck drivers as ‘a bunch of hooligans’, who will lie, cheat and deceive to score a tow.
Many decent tow-truck companies undoubtedly provide a valuable and necessary service. However, in the event of a collision or vehicle breakdown, one is often too shaken or stressed to contemplate the ways in which they may be duped by an devious tow-truck driver, until it is too late.
Horror stories abound in Newcastle of batteries and tyres being swapped on vehicles and even car parts going missing, during a tow. Numerous complaints have been reported to the Advertiser of exorbitant towing fees being charged. Owners of towing companies and traffic officials we interviewed for this article, spoke of drivers who deceived motorists into believing that they were sent by their insurance company, and in one case, an elderly woman is reported to never see her car again after she allowed it to be towed by a company whose name she can’t remember.
In order to assist motorists to avoid being ‘taken for a ride’ by tow-truck companies, we asked owners of local towing companies and traffic officials for their best advice based on their experience in the business. While they have requested to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, their suggestions could save you hassle and money in a crisis.
No such thing as a free tow
The biggest scam motorists seem to fall for on a daily basis is the promise of a ‘free’ tow. The concept of a ‘free’ tow is a fallacy. In fact, motorists will find that they end up paying a hefty price for a ‘free’ tow.
Even though the towing company may not charge you for the actual towing, you will pay an inflated cost for services such as a callout fee, hooking the vehicle, storage of the vehicle, and security at the storage facility.
Be wary of tow truck companies who claim to have been sent by your insurance company
Many tow-truck drivers pay unscrupulous police officers and traffic officials for access to private information of motorists, which they, present at an accident scene as ‘proof’ that they were sent by the motorist’s insurance company. In order to avoid falling for this scam, be sure to keep the telephone number of your insurance company in your car.
Insist on calling your insurance company yourself, and do not allow the tow-truck driver to call for you (It is possible that he will call a business colleague who will pretend to be from the insurance company). Confirm the name of the tow-truck company that has been sent out by your insurance company, and check for the company logo on the tow truck.
Make sure that the name of the company reflected on the paperwork you receive, matches the logo on the tow truck. Check for the same logo on the uniform of the tow truck driver.
If you are not insured
If you are not insured, it is important to get confirmation of the total cost in writing before your vehicle is towed. Also, ensure that your vehicle is towed to your yard, or you may have to cough up a hefty sum for storage costs. If you cannot afford the cost of the towing, negotiate the storage fee before hand.
The safest option, whether you are insured or not, is to tow with someone you know. This way, there is room for negotiation over the towing cost and you can rest assured that your vehicle is safe.
Avoid tampering of your vehicle
A written inventory check of your vehicle should be done before your vehicle is towed to ensure that parts are not swapped, or that they don’t go missing during the tow. It is also wise to determine if the tow-truck company is insured and able to cover any unforeseen incidents that may happen while your vehicle is being towed.
Familiarise yourself with the South African Towing and Recovery Association (SATRA)
Call SATRA on 086 107 2872 and they will manage the entire process for you at no charge. If you are towed by a SATRA approved towing company and you feel that the cost of the towing is a rip-off, SATRA will handle the negotiation without you having to call on the services of an attorney. Look out for the SATRA emblem and unique code on tow trucks from companies that are registered with this association.
