Choosing a towing service

Cars overheat in traffic and break down. Fender-benders happen. Even a spare tire can go flat.

Follow these tips to find the towing service that works for you.

• Make sure a towing service is what you need
  
  Should you find yourself on the side of the road or anywhere else in need of a tow, make sure your car or truck definitely cannot be driven safely. For example, if smoke is coming from under the hood of your car, you probably have an overheated engine and should simply pull over and wait for your vehicle to cool down.
  
  Also, knowing how to change a flat tire will save you from having to hire someone to do it for you. It's a good idea to practice changing a tire in your driveway so the process won't be unfamiliar if you ever have to change one on the highway.
  
  
• Hiring a professional
  
  When you do need a towing service, you first should consider what your car or truck's destination should be. Do you want to take your car to an auto dealership? Or do you want to take your truck to a specific mechanic or body shop? You can find a list of auto towing services on Kudzu.com
  
  If your vehicle needs to go to a dealership, call to ask whether the dealership has any preferred towing and wrecker service providers. They often do, and will cover either part or all of the cost of the tow when you have your car serviced with them. The same rule of thumb applies to any preferred mechanic or body shop.
  
  
• Contact your car insurance agent
  
  It's also a good idea to contact your auto insurance company when you need a towing service, as they likely have preferred towing and wrecker service companies. Your insurer also may cover part of the cost of a tow, depending on your insurance policy.
  
  If you want to be fully prepared for when you might need a towing service, go ahead and research a few towing and wrecker service companies then keep their contact information in the dashboard glove box of your car. This will save you both time and additional stress when you are in need of a tow.