When in need of towing or roadside assistance services, the last thing you want is to be scammed by the company offering help. Sadly, towing scams are becoming increasingly prevalent so it’s important to be aware of what the common scams are and how you can avoid them. Working with a reputable towing company in Vancouver, such as Mundie’s Towing, will ensure that you receive the best service with an experienced, professional fleet of drivers.
3 Common Towing Scams
1. Disclosure of Hidden Costs
Be aware of potential hidden costs associated with your towing services. If a company is offering very low towing rates, be sure to ask about any hidden fees that could added. The average cost of a reputable towing service starts at $100 give or take. Additional fees are added depending on the distance of the tow, roughly $3-$5 per kilometre, the time of day, weather conditions, heaviness of traffic, etc. These genuine fees can all lend to a higher cost of service, however, if a towing company is offering services below $70, they could be spiking the price in other areas.
Reputable tow truck companies such as Mundie’s Towing, believe in clear, upfront pricing. If you’re in need of a tow or roadside assistance, price estimates will be provided, and additional fees are disclosed to ensure customer satisfaction and clarity.
2. Unsolicited Companies
Unfortunately, there are scammers amongst towing services. If an unsolicited company shows up and offers roadside assistance, wait for your designated towing company. There are businesses that intercept roadside assistance phone calls and show up unannounced, offering their towing services. Ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in the towing services you acquire and resist the pressure of working with a service just because they’re there. Accepting this service could put you in a dangerous situation.
Mundie’s Towing offers quick, safe, and effective towing and roadside assistance services. To prioritize your safety, Mundie’s will be at your side in a flash, no matter the time of day or night.
3. Beware of “Chaser” Drivers
Towing companies are not allowed to recommend a repair shop to you if not explicitly asked. The reason for this is that some tow truck drivers are paid a referral fee to encourage businesses to local repair or body shops. These types of drivers are known as “chasers” and are breaking municipal laws by coercing you to favour a shop if unsolicited. The repair or body shop may not be covered by your insurance company which could force you to pay out of pocket.
Tips: Avoiding Towing Scams
1. Speak to Your Insurance Company
Before enlisting the help of any roadside services, speak to a representative at your insurance company. Insurance companies can inform you of your level of coverage and provide reasonable rates depending on your situation. They can also provide the next steps in attaining roadside assistance and ensure that you work with a reputable towing company in Vancouver and surrounding areas.
Mundie’s Towing is proud to serve Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Accredited by BC’s leading insurance providers, Mundie’s is a towing company you can trust.
2. Collect the Paperwork
To ensure upfront costs and proper documentation, ask your towing service to provide a printed invoice that includes any applicable fees and services, such as the towing, repair, and storage fees, etc. Be sure to read through this carefully and note any hidden costs that may be included. Keep this paperwork for your records in case you need to dispute any charges later on.
3. Check the Truck’s License Number
Municipalities in the Vancouver area require that tow trucks have a municipal license number displayed. You can check these license numbers to confirm the legitimacy of the towing company. Keep this for your records along with the paperwork above.
Next Steps
If you’re in need of roadside assistance, enlist the help of a reputable towing company. Mundie’s Towing is one of BC’s largest, family-owned tow truck companies and has a well-equipped fleet to handle any job. Whether you’re in Burnaby, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Richmond, or Delta, you can trust the team at Mundie’s with all your towing, recovery, and transporting needs. Call Mundie’s today for a free quote.