How to Get Your Car Towed When You Need It
Call a towing service directly, or use your roadside assistance plan if you have one
When your car breaks down and cannot be driven, you have two main routes: call a towing company yourself, or use roadside assistance through your insurance, auto club, or vehicle manufacturer. The fastest option depends on what you already have in place. If you carry roadside assistance coverage, that service will dispatch a tow truck at no cost to you — you just call the number on your card. If you do not have coverage, you will pay the towing company directly, and costs vary widely depending on distance and your location.
Before you call anyone, turn on your hazard lights, move to a safe location if possible, and stay in your vehicle with the doors locked if you are on a busy road. Have your location ready — use your phone's GPS or look for mile markers, street signs, or nearby businesses. The towing company will need to know exactly where you are.
Key Takeaways
- Check your insurance card, auto club membership, or vehicle warranty documents first — many people have roadside assistance coverage they forget about.
- If you do not have coverage, search online for local towing companies or ask the police non-emergency line for a referral in your area.
- Tell the dispatcher your exact location, what is wrong with the car if you know, and where you want the car towed — usually a repair shop or your home.
- Towing costs without coverage typically range from $75 to $150 for a short distance, with longer distances charged by the mile.
- Keep the receipt and any paperwork the tow driver gives you, especially if the tow was due to an accident.
Finding a towing company if you do not have roadside assistance
Start by searching online for "towing near me" or "24-hour towing [your city]" to see what is available in your area. Read the reviews on Google Maps or Yelp, but focus on recent ones — a company's quality can change. Call two or three places and ask for a quote based on your location and how far the car needs to go. Some companies charge a flat rate for short distances, while others charge by the mile after a certain point.
If you are on a highway, you can also call the South Carolina Highway Patrol non-emergency line or the local police non-emergency number and ask for a towing recommendation. They work with local companies regularly and can point you toward reliable services. Never flag down a tow truck that approaches you unsolicited — this is a common scam, especially after accidents.
What to tell the dispatcher
When you call, have this information ready: your exact location (address, mile marker, or nearby landmark), your vehicle's make and model, what happened or what you think is wrong with the car, and where you want it towed. If you are unsure where to send it, ask the dispatcher for recommendations — they often know which repair shops are reliable and whether any are open at that hour.
Tell the dispatcher if you need to stay with the car or if you will wait somewhere else. Some towing companies will not leave you alone on the roadside, and some will not allow you to ride in the tow truck. Ask about this upfront so you can arrange a ride if needed. If you are injured or feel unsafe, tell them that too.
Understanding towing costs without coverage
Towing prices in South Carolina vary by company and distance. A short local tow — say, from a parking lot to a nearby repair shop — might cost $75 to $100. Longer distances are usually charged per mile after the first few miles, typically $2 to $4 per mile. If your car needs to be winched out of a ditch or off the road, expect an additional charge of $50 to $200 depending on how difficult the recovery is.
Some companies charge extra for after-hours service (nights, weekends, holidays), and some have a minimum charge even for very short distances. Ask for the total cost before you authorize the tow. If the price seems very high, you can decline and call another company, but keep in mind that the first company may charge a dispatch fee if they have already sent a truck.
What happens when the tow truck arrives
The driver will ask you to show them the car keys and point out any damage or problems you have noticed. They will inspect the car to decide how to tow it — whether it can be towed with two wheels on the ground, or whether it needs a flatbed. Do not assume they know what is wrong; tell them what you experienced (the engine would not start, you heard a grinding noise, the brakes failed).
Before the truck leaves, ask the driver where the car is being taken and get a receipt with the towing company's name, the date, time, distance, and cost. If the tow is related to an accident, take photos of the car before it is loaded and ask the driver to document any existing damage on the paperwork. This protects you if there is a dispute later about what damage happened during the tow.
Getting your car back after it is towed
Once the car reaches the repair shop or your home, you will need to arrange to pick it up or have it worked on. If it went to a repair shop, call them to get an estimate for the work and ask how long repairs will take. If you towed it to your home, you will need to arrange for a mechanic to come to you, or tow it again to a shop — which means paying for another tow.
Keep all paperwork from the tow. If you are filing an insurance claim for the breakdown or accident, your insurance company will want the towing receipt and details about what happened. If the tow was due to an accident, your insurance may cover the cost, so ask your agent before you pay out of pocket.
Roadside assistance plans and what they cover
Many insurance policies include roadside assistance at no extra cost, or offer it as a low-cost add-on. AAA membership includes towing, as do some auto club memberships. Some vehicle manufacturers include roadside assistance for a certain number of years after purchase. Check your insurance card, membership cards, and vehicle warranty documents to see what you have.
Roadside assistance plans typically cover towing up to a certain distance — often 7 to 100 miles depending on the plan — at no cost to you. Some plans also cover lockouts, jump starts, fuel delivery, and tire changes. If you use the service, you usually just call the number on your card and they dispatch a truck. The service is free, but you may have to pay out of pocket and submit a receipt for reimbursement if you use a non-network provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my car breaks down on the highway at night?
Turn on your hazard lights, move as far onto the shoulder as possible, and stay in your locked vehicle. Call 911 if you feel unsafe, or call the Highway Patrol non-emergency line for a towing recommendation. Many towing companies operate 24 hours, but after-hours service may cost more.
Can I choose where my car gets towed, or does the police choose?
If you call the tow truck yourself, you choose where it goes. If police call a tow after an accident or if your car is blocking traffic, they may direct it to an impound lot or a specific shop, but you can usually request a different destination and pay any difference in cost yourself.
What if the tow truck damages my car during the tow?
Document the damage with photos and get the driver's name and company information. Report it to the towing company in writing within a few days. Most companies carry liability insurance and will investigate. Keep your receipt and any photos you took before the tow.
Do I have to pay the towing company before they leave?
Most companies require payment on the spot — cash, card, or check. Ask about payment methods when you call. If you do not have money with you, ask if they will accept a card over the phone or if you can pay when you pick up the car.
What if I cannot afford the tow?
Call local nonprofits or community assistance programs in your area — some offer emergency transportation help. If the breakdown happened at work, ask your employer if they have an employee assistance program. If it is a safety issue on the highway, call the Highway Patrol and explain your situation; they may be able to help or refer you to resources.