If you feel that you are being pushed or manipulated into using them because they arrived first, you don't have to.  You have the right to hire whatever company you choose to use.  Just because they arrived first, doesn't give them permission or the right to hook up your vehicle.  If you feel like they are getting aggressive towards you, call the police.    

You have the right to decide where your vehicle will be towed (unless the police have advised otherwise).  The tow truck driver doesn't get to dictate what garage it will be towed to or to what final destination.  You are in control and can request the vehicle be moved to the location you choose.  The tow truck driver needs to make the choice to tow or not to tow.  They do not get to decide where it will go to.   

Don't let anyone tow your vehicle without permission.  A permission form should be provided to you, requesting signature before anyone hooks up your vehicle.  They should be disclosing where the vehicle will be towed to and have an itemized list of costs before any payment is processed.  Don't sign any blank work order, either.  When payment is requested after the service, you shouldn't expect to pay too much more than the initial amount disclosed.  The initial amount may not have included taxes or other regulated items.  But as a rule of thumb, it shouldn't be more than 10% of the initial amount.   You do not have to pay for a tow by cash.  No, you can pay via credit card.  If the tow truck driver only takes cash, this may be a red flag for you.  At the very least, never hand over cash fully until the vehicle has been delivered to where you expected it to be.   

When the situation arises where you are in need of towing services, you are probably not going to be in the best frame of mind to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of.  That's why it might be a good time to collect some information and have it in your vehicle's glove box or in a safe place.  Collect the name, addresses, and telephone numbers of the garages near you that you feel comfortable dealing with.  If you are covered under insurance for towing services, have that information as well.  You can also include the phone number of any towing service you have used in the past and are happy with (we hope you add us to that list!).  

We are also including a link to a printable copy of the CAA's Towing Bill of Rights. Print that off and keep it with the other information mentioned.  Having all this prepared ahead of time will reduce your level of stress and will help you feel like you are in control of the situation.  Instead of the other way around.  

We need to make sure that we are paying attention to all vehicles around us.  That includes any that are waiting for a tow truck or roadside assistance.   

It really is disappointing to see that many drivers are not giving either the attention or precautions needed to avoid creating a terrible incident on our highways.   

Drivers, who have a vehicle breakdown, are extremely vulnerable to other vehicles around them.  Our towing service makes all possible efforts to get to them as quickly as possible.  It is imperative that the inoperable vehicle is removed from the shoulder of the road or the vicinity of other traffic.  The last thing anyone wants is to add a collision to the mix, when waiting for roadside assistance or a tow truck.  So, we are stressing that other drivers must be alert and on the look out for any vehicles stopped on the side of the highway or road.   

As well. when a tow truck arrives and begins to hook up the vehicle, other drivers need to be alert because the operator has no protection against your vehicle coming at him.  To be perfectly clear, we do not want you to hit any of our tow truck drivers.  Our tow trucks are equipped with all the road safety equipment need to make sure that you can see us.  Please, when you do see us or any other towing vehicle, give us a safe lane to work in.  Move to the farther lane and please slow down!  We want to come home to our families, the same way you do.