How to Choose a Reliable Towing Service — 7 Things to Check
Not all towing companies are equal. Before you hand over your keys, here are the seven things you should always check to make sure you're in safe hands.
When your car breaks down or you need a vehicle transported, you want a towing company you can trust completely. Here's what to look for.
1. Are They Available 24/7?
Breakdowns don't keep business hours. Always check the company offers genuine round-the-clock cover — including bank holidays. Ask specifically what happens at 3am or on Christmas Day.
2. Are They Fully Insured?
Any reputable towing company should carry public liability insurance and goods-in-transit cover. This protects your vehicle if anything goes wrong during recovery or transport.
3. Do They Have Local Knowledge?
A local operator who knows the roads, traffic patterns and nearest approved garages is far more valuable than a national call centre. Local companies also tend to have faster response times.
4. What Equipment Do They Use?
Different vehicles require different equipment. Check the company has the right trucks for your vehicle type — flatbed transporters for low cars and performance vehicles, specialist soft-strap systems for motorcycles, and heavy-duty winches for off-road or accident recovery.
5. Are Their Reviews Genuine?
Look for reviews on Google Maps, Trustpilot or Facebook. Check the reviewer profiles — genuine customers leave detailed accounts. Be cautious of companies with only five-star reviews and no written comments.
6. Is Pricing Transparent?
Avoid companies that won't give you a clear price before sending a truck. Reputable operators will give you a fixed quote or clearly explain their pricing structure upfront.
7. How Quickly Can They Respond?
Ask for a realistic response time estimate. Industry best practice for roadside emergencies is under 60 minutes. Fred's Towing Services averages under 45 minutes across our Newport, Bristol, Cardiff and Bath coverage areas.
Fred's Towing Services ticks every box. Fully insured, locally operated, transparent pricing, and available 24/7. Call 01633 982028 for Newport, or find your nearest branch on our locations page.
