Most towing companies offer both short and long distance towing services, but the term “long distance” does not necessarily mean long distance transport.
Most companies offering towing and roadside assistance services provide services within a specific radius of service. Services are designed for things like:
The services are designed to transport cars/trucks and/or their owners within a relatively short distance, up to about 10 miles or so. After that, there is a per/mile charge of about $2 to $4 per mile. Those charges add up quickly, so if you break down or have an accident more than 20 miles from home, you may need to look into long distance towing services if a local garage can’t fix your car or truck in a reasonable time frame.
Most people require tows because something happens to their car on their way to/from work or social activity within a reasonable distance from home. In this case, we transport the car to the nearest garage or your home.
However, there are times when customers break down many miles away from where they live or their nearest garage. In this case, the plan changes.
Safety is always the top priority. So, the first step is to ensure you, other vehicle occupants, and the vehicle are out of harm’s way. This is especially true if you are stuck on a highway or curvy road.
Now it’s time to call for help. If you’ve been in an accident, the first call should be to 911 to alert emergency personnel and the police. If it’s a simple breakdown, contact your trusted roadside assistance team, such as AAA, OnStar, or the roadside assistance provided by your auto insurance providers.
If you don’t have roadside assistance, contact local tow truck companies to get the process started. Knowing what kind of car you have and any special towing requests is essential. For example, AWD and 4WD vehicles do best when towed on a flatbed truck rather than the standard two-behind to protect the car mechanics.
Some people don't realize how many benefits they have from their auto insurance carrier; others assume they have benefits they don’t. Contact your auto insurance carrier and learn more about your options. They may:
Connecting with your insurance company can save you lots of money as they may also have specific instructions about where you’re supposed to take your car or which tow truck company to use based on the location.
If you’re out of town or far from home, the car needs a place to be until you decide what to do. Sometimes, the answer is as simple as a tire replacement, in which case we’ll tow clients to the professionals we trust. Other times, we recommend transporting the car to a local and reputable garage where the car can be looked at.
If you have roadside assistance benefits, local towing or roadside assistance services are free to minimal because we’re keeping you within the “Local” territory. If you want your car towed to the nearest dealership or a specific garage outside of that range, you’ll pay for the long-distance towing fees, less whatever the credit is for the local mileage (like the first 10 or 15 miles, depending on the policy terms).
Again, depending on how far away you are from home and the length of a prospective car repair, you may determine you want to ship your car home and deal with it there. Most of the standard roadside assistance and towing companies do not offer this service, or they may offer long distance towing up to a certain distance.
Otherwise, they’ll refer you to companies or carriers specializing in long distance vehicle transport. This may or may not be your best option, so weighing the pros and cons is essential. The most affordable route for long distance towing is on a towing dolly, which can put wear and tear on a car that doesn’t justify the service. However, towing the car on a flatbed is more expensive and may or may not be an option.
Finding transport companies that provide immediate service depending on the season can also be difficult. For example, winter weather may affect transport dates, as can the summer months when people are more likely to schedule a big move that includes vehicle transportation.
Are you broken down in the Bay Area and not sure what to do? Contact J&T Towing. We offer towing services 24/7 and 365 days a year. Our friendly and trustworthy technicians can recommend the best mechanics or other resources in the area to help get you - and your car or truck - where you need to be.
