Tow truck companies get a bad rap - but have they earned it? We’re looking into accident towing services and would love to hear from you. Have you been approached by one after an accident? Did you end up paying more than you expected, or find yourself locked into using a particular repairer? (Positive stories welcome too!)
4 Likes
Hey Alice,
I’ve only had positive experiences with tow-truck drivers when not an at-the-scene accident job. I had the nicest truck driver take my vehicle to a mechanic, and he belonged to the same dirty company that I will tell you about in our email correspondance! This could be because my other towing jobs have been organised through my RACQ membership and I therefore do not need to worry about any of their tricks.
I am more than happy to share with you my experience of this company on-site and after my accident a couple of years ago, though.
6 Likes
Thanks. I’d actually love to hear both the good and the bad!
I’ll respond to your PM so we can discuss further. 
4 Likes
in SA we have an accident roster system (it was setup to avoid multiple attending a single incident and essentially in-fighting/less than ideal tactics to secure services from people whom are likely in some amount of distress).
I was talking to a colleague last year I think and he also said that if you can drive a few 100m’s or around the block at that point you’re no longer actively part of the accident scene and the vehicle is ‘technically’ roadworthy so you can arrange your own tow (or pick it up on a car trailer … which said colleague has as he’s a bit of a DIY mechanic/enthusiast).
I have RAA membership though so its something I hope I never need to test in practice.
5 Likes
Had a couple of tow’s over the years for breakdown through roadside service - always been good, timely, friendly - but this has been in small town contexts …
5 Likes
That’s interesting @matsp003! Thanks for sharing.
So does that mean that you’re locked in to using whichever towing service turns up? Are their fees capped/regulated, or do you just have to pay whatever they charge?
1 Like
I believe there is a base fee for a ‘standard’ fender bender and tow type service (I can’t find what it is). Extra’s can be charged though for things like time of day if extra km’s travelled, specialist equipment, or long wait time at scene (and probably more).
3 Likes
Nice to hear some positive stories @draughtrider!
I wonder if the service is better in country towns because there isn’t the competitive pressure that there is in the city. (Not that that excuses dodgy behaviour, of course.) The fact that you most likely know the tow truck driver in a small country town would make a difference to the service too!
3 Likes
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - they were so helpful for this story. Here’s the article on tow trucks: https://www.choice.com.au/transport/cars/general/articles/what-to-do-if-you-need-car-accident-towing
4 Likes
Hi Alice, good job on the article! It is very informative; I filed away some notes for future reference.
In the paragraph ‘Next-level nasty’, I had the same offer. The tow-truck driver who came to release my vehicle from their holding yard suggested a “good friend and lawyer” who could represent me to take on the at-fault driver (this was before I reviewed the footage of the crash and realised I was at fault). It was a no-win, no-pay gig (and probably no-win, no reward as well 
), but I respectfully declined that offer. I never gave that conversation a second thought until your article highlighted it as a potentially common scam.
Thanks for raising awareness of this issue, and making me realise just how expensive it is to tow and store in Queensland 
3 Likes
Oh wow! Sounds like you really hit upon a dodgy operator that day. 
Thanks for the feedback! Hope you don’t get caught out again.
1 Like
I was shocked to see the Choice article regarding car towing does not include Tas. Sure, the boat loads of vehicles that arrive in the state every day do not equate to what could come if there was road access. But there are plenty of interstate tourists, plus locals, who need the service same as anyone else.
If this is such a complex issue of different rules in different states, I suggest an update to the article to include us.
6 Likes
Hi @mudpuppy,
Apologies for any disappointment we may have caused, it’s not our intent to exclude any states or territories in our accident towing advice article.
The reason for the ommission is because to our understanding there are no currently no regulations governing accident towing in Tasmania, rather it’s managed by the police and subject to the free market conditions.We appreciate the feedback to make this point in the article in a clear way.
3 Likes
Thanks! Never had to use the service anywhere, hope i never do here or elsewhere, seems complicated
5 Likes
I’m in the same boat - lucky enough to avoid needing a tow so far. Seems very complicated for people dealing with a stressful situation to me.
3 Likes
yes - sounds like the railway system - each state going their own way
3 Likes
