If you’ve ever broken down on the side of the road, you’ll know how scary this situation can be. It’s easy for fear and panic to creep in as you try to work out what to do with the car and get yourself to your destination. So that you’re fully prepared should this happen to you, read on for some top tips when leaving your car to be towed.
Move it to a safer location
If your car is still partially mobile, the first thing you need to do is try to move it to a safer place. This is especially important if you have broken down on a busy road. Try to park your vehicle as far off the road as you can or find another car to park it near to make sure it’s as visible as possible. This will ensure that it’s not damaged any further and that it’s not a hazard to other road users.
Inform the police
Once your car is safely away from the roadside and you’re ready to leave it, the next thing you will need to do is contact the police. If you leave your vehicle on the side of the road without informing the police, they may see it and assume it has been abandoned. If this happens, they may tow it themselves, where it will be impounded. It will then cost you a lot of money to get back, so make sure they know the car belongs to you and is waiting to be towed.
Furthermore, in the chance that any thieves target the vehicle while it’s left stationary, it’s much easier for you to file a report and make a claim if the police are already aware of the vehicle and your situation.
Remove all valuables
If you’re going to leave your vehicle alone, it’s a good idea to take any valuables with you. If there are some things you can’t carry, just make sure they aren’t visible from outside the car. Unfortunately, some opportunist thieves will see this as the perfect time to strike, so it’s best not to encourage them by leaving items on show – if they can’t see anything of value through the windows, they’re more likely to move on.
Talk to us at vehicle recovery
If you are worried about breakdowns or just want to make sure you never have to face this problem unequipped, speak to the team at Outback Vehicle Recovery. Available 24/7 for vehicle towing, we will make sure you get assistance no matter the time of day. For your peace of mind, we also offer side lifting, roadside assistance and heavy haulage. No job is too big for us, so make sure to get in contact today and let us know how we can help you with our wide range of services.
