Will My Car Insurance Cover Towing?

A vehicle breakdown or being stranded due to an accident can cause a lot of stress and inconvenience.  After such an ordeal peace of mind comes from knowing that your car is being towed safely home or to a repair shop. The next moment of stress comes when you think about your car insurance.  Will the towing be covered?

The answer to that questions is similar to the answer to many questions – it all depends.  It is a good idea to review your insurance policy before an incident.  If you find that your policy does not cover towing fees, you may want to look into additional insurance or an organization like AAA which do offer towing services to their members.

For insurance companies that do cover towing fees be aware that there might be restrictions such as using designated towing businesses or a maximum distance for the towing.  And your policy may have a deductible that has to be met before reimbursement.

Why is the Car Disabled?

The reason the car needs towing may determine how the fee is covered.  When the car is damaged due to an accident, then coverage will come under collision insurance.  If the vehicle is unable to function due to a natural disaster, i.e. flooding, the coverage will come under comprehensive insurance.

In the case of a serious accident, you probably will not have a choice on the towing company used (this may be handled by first responders on the scene), and the car may be towed to an impound lot instead of a repair shop.  That adds a whole new question to ask your insurance company – will the insurance company pay the impound fees?

How about Parking Violations?

No, car insurance companies do not reimburse you if your vehicle is towed due to a parking violation.  They will not pay for the impound fees either, but they may pay if the vehicle was damaged as a result of the tow.

When you pick up your car from the towing company (or impound lot), the first and foremost thing that you should do is check for any damage.

The damage could include:

• Deflated tire
• Vehicle’s alignment
• Scratches on the vehicle body
• Dents on any part of the vehicle

Collect as much evidence as possible by taking pictures of the areas of the dents or scratches before driving the car off the lot.

The number one thing to do is read and know what is covered in your policy.

For a safe and reliable towing company, contact Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393.

 

How to Handle Illegal Parking at Your Business

Nothing is more frustrating to a business owner than to have limited customer parking spaces used by non-customers.  When a non-customer is in that space, it inconveniences customers and may even discourage them from using the business.  So, what can be done about this?  How can a business owner keep those spaces clear for their business?

This problem does not have a simple answer since there are many factors based on the location of the business property.  This article will be a general discussion on what is required in many areas, but all business owners need to check local jurisdiction regulations for details.

To have cars removed from parking spaces they have to be in an established tow away zone.  First, the parked car has to be on private property.  Business owners have no jurisdiction to have cars towed from a public street even if the cars are parked right in front of their business.  If the road is owned by a public entity (town, city, state, etc.) only they can determine when a car is parked illegally.

Even if the business parking area is on private property, the business owner cannot just have a car towed away.  The private property usually has to be an established tow away zone.  The parking area has to be posted as a tow away zone to warn people that non-customer cars will be towed.  The signage required is usually very specific, so this is where checking local regulations is crucial before the signs are created.  Here are a few general requirements:

• Signs need to be a particular size & color.  Lettering must be a designated size.
• Signs must be posted at all entrances to the parking area (usually at a regulation height)
• Signs must state that the area is a tow away zone
• Signs must state who is permitted to park in the area  and during what hours towing will be enforced
• Signs must list the name and phone number of the towing company used and where the car will be taken.  (Car storage lots must be open reasonable hours, be within a reasonable distance, and accessible to public transportation)

In many jurisdictions, the towing companies must comply with certain regulations also.  The business owner should know these rules and verify that the towing service selected complies with all local regulations before establishing a working relationship.

The problem of non-customers using customer parking can be handled; it just takes some research on the part of the business owner to be sure all local ordinances and regulations are followed.  If regulations are not followed business owners can be fined for illegally having a car towed.

For a reliable towing company in the Raleigh, NC area, contact Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393.

How to Find a Good Towing Service

Nothing can be worse than getting stuck in your car in the middle of the road. You aren’t prepared for it and need immediate help to get out of this uncertain situation. Towing service is the only solution to your problem but finding a good towing service is itself a big problem. Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous experience using a towing service as we are going to describe some essential traits that you must consider before hiring one.

Repairs

The concept of a towing service isn’t limited only to a truck that drags your car with the help of strong chains. Towing services also include changing a flat tire or making minor repairs on the side of the road. If possible, know the service you require and find a company that supplies that service.

Towing Trucks

Experienced towing companies like Unlimited Recovery don’t rely on a single type of truck because they know that each situation requires specific towing services. Flatbed, hook and chain and wheel lift are the three types of tow trucks used for towing services. This variety of tow trucks means Unlimited Recovery is ready to handle any situation.

Professionalism

Professionalism determines the quality of towing service. Timely response is necessary. No one wants to be stuck in a remote area at night, nor be in the middle of the road blocking traffic. Arriving quickly with the proper equipment to move the disabled vehicle is crucial. Add in a courteous driver who knows his tools and equipment and can resolve the problem easily and you have a winning combination.

Customer Reviews

Visiting a company’s website and checking the reviews of previous clients can give you insight. Experienced and professional companies don’t hesitate to show their customer reviews as they have confidence in their quality of service. Read the reviews and get to know whether they value customer satisfaction or not.

Contact Your Car Insurance Agent

Your car insurance agent can help you out as they often have connections with different towing companies or they may offer towing services as part of your policy. However, it depends on the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.

An automobile is one of the largest investments you have and taking care of it is your responsibility. Hire a professional and experienced towing company that treats your vehicle with care.

For all your towing needs contact, Unlimited Recovery and Towing at 919-790-9393.

Should You Tow a Car With a Chain?

If you need to tow your car by yourself, chances are that you are considering using a chain. Using a chain to tow a car can be risky if you don’t do it with extra caution. The chain can become loose or unhooked and this can cause serious damage or injuries. If you are still up to the idea of using a chain to tow a car, here are a few tips to help you out.

Gather all the required items

First and foremost, you will need a towing approved heavy duty chain which has hooks. Don’t just use any chain to tow your car. You can end up creating traffic or other problems for road users. Secondly, you will need a sign that is labelled “In TOW”. You should place this sign on the rear of the car that is being towed. Lastly, you will need a car that is going to tow the other vehicle. This car needs to be insured and its weight needs to be appropriate depending on the car that is being towed. Also make sure that both cars have properly working brakes. With these items, you are now ready to tow your car with a chain.

How to fix the chain on both cars

Start with the end of the car that will be doing the towing. You can wrap the chain on its rear axle. Make sure the chain is tight enough and that it doesn’t slip easily on any of the sides. Once this is done, you can then do the same on the vehicle that is being towed. Try and pull the chain to the left or right just to make sure that it’s not loose. You can then drive the car that’s doing the towing slightly in front just to make sure that it is properly hooked. Make sure the two cars are separated by a distance of at least six to ten feet.

Precautions

The vehicle that is doing the towing should have its hazard lights on. Make sure you drive slowly especially if you’ll be driving on a heel. Find out what the state laws are in North Carolina regarding towing. You may be required to stick to the rightmost lane when driving a towed car. Remember that the driver on the back has little if any visibility so the driver on the front should use signals in case of a turn or a stop. For more information on safe towing, get in touch with http://unlimitedrecovery.com.

Getting Illegal Parking Management Services

As a business person, providing parking for your customer is one of the ways to extend your customer support services beyond your doors. Your customers appreciate the parking your give them so they can conveniently maneuver in and out of your establishment with no probable. In fact, most customers will avoid going to businesses that do not have ready parking available. So imagine the number of customers you would lose simply because someone is illegally parked in your customer’s parking spaces?

Illegal parking management is a service provided by towing companies to ensure that the people who park there use your parking spaces correctly. Non-consensual towing is a legal procedure in which a towing company is allowed to remove vehicles that are parked in a no parking zone, a fire lane or a disabled parking spot among others. Vehicles parked illegally do not only make it difficult for other customers to access parking but for safety vehicles such as fire trucks or cargo vehicles to drop off and pick up goods.

Getting an illegal parking management service in Raleigh can cause some customers to be unhappy, especially those that park illegally. Ensure that you set up clear and visible signage about parking areas, keep your parking lot properly stripped and advise your customers accordingly to avoid such problems.

Aside from non consensual towing, you can also request for a monitoring service for illegally parked customers who will use your parking lot while visiting other businesses aside from yours. Such customers often inconvenience those who actually want to buy your products and services since they take up your parking space but do not give you any business. You can have your parking areas monitored to ensure that the customers who use your parking spaces are only those coming to your business. This will ensure that your genuine customers always get the parking that they need and minimize your business losses.

Ensure that the company you choose for illegal parking manager has professional towing experts and good quality towing equipment. Even when someone is illegally parked, his or her vehicle should be handled professionally so it is not damaged in any way. Damaging individual property during towing does not only lead to a lot of legal problems but can also damage your reputation as a business making customers afraid to use your parking lot.

Give Unlimited Recovery a call to discuss your towing needs in more detail or to learn more about our equipment and availability.

 

Preparing for a Long Road Trip

Ending up on the side of a long lonely road in the wee hours of the night with no cell service is the worst nightmare of any driver. Without cell service, it is impossible to call for a towing company. The best way to avoid ending up in such a predicament is by preparing adequately for your road trip:

Check your car fluids

Car fluids are important for your vehicle to perform well and you must check all of them before taking off for a long trip. Remember to check your engine oil, gas, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and coolant and power steering fluid.

Check your hoses and belts

The hoses and belts are crucial checkpoints as they hold almost everything together. If they are worn out and frayed, you should consider replacing them before you set off. If they are not tightly secured, you may have to walk the rest of the trip.

Check your tires

Your tires are crucial for vehicle handling and safety. If they are damaged, there is no way your vehicle can move. Remember to check all the tires including the spare in the boot. Ensure that the vehicle treads are deep enough, the tire pressure is correct and the rims are well aligned. Also, carry tire-changing equipment in the trunk in case you need to change one along the way.

Check your brakes

Along with your tires, your braking system is also an important safety feature that should be checked before you start on your long journey. You should get your brakes checked by an expert inspector. Your brakes may have a problem if you notice any unusual squealing if the brake pedal becomes softer than usual.

Check your battery

Although they say the more you drive, the more your battery is charged, once your battery is at its expiry it will be impossible to start your vehicle. Ensure that you check the condition of your battery and that it is properly charged. The electrical and ignition systems should also be in great condition. You’d certainly won’t like calling towing services in Raleigh NC to be a part of your itinerary, so do your homework.

Carry a map and guide book

If you are going to be driving on hours on end, you need to know exactly where your next stops are going to be for refueling, bathroom breaks of even a power nap. Maps help you organize your journey so you can always keep your supplies in check.  Also, carry extra fuses and oil just in case it takes a long while before you get to the next gas station.

For reliable roadside emergency services in the Triangle area, get in touch with us here at Unlimited Recovery.

Basic Road Safety Tips

While you may have learned many things from your driving instructor, you can never learn too much information about driving safety. Here are a few important reminders to ensure you and your vehicle are always safe on the road.

Get Enough Rest

Ensure that you get lots of sleep the night prior to the trip, particularly should you be intending to have  a long-drive. A lot of people frequently believe ingesting caffeine may assist. At the start, you might sense attentive, but shortly the results will wear off and you will end up too sleepy to drive safely and right back to feeling exhausted.

Inspect the car

Before driving, always check for any faults in the car. Actually if the car is fresh and it is another evening if you are leaving the home or you simply parked it for several hours. Some thing may have happened to the automobile that you didn’t detect from the previous or while you weren’t around. Simply take a wander around your car to make sure everything is right especially with the wheels.

Bad weather & night time driving

Make sure in case it is pouring hard to maintain extra space between you and the car in front of you. In normal climate, maintain a space of at least 3 seconds between you and the car ahead, double it in bad weather. While driving at nighttime decrease and dim your lights when approaching an on-coming car. It truly is a standard courtesy that a lot of people neglect to recognize. It permits the other motorist to correctly see what is ahead without your lights blinding them. Once you are past them and also the road it obvious, you are able to turn your lights back up.

Overtaking

The left lane is simply utilized for overtaking. Also if you should be travelling faster than everyone is, it will not mean you should stay on the lane. Simply over take a vehicle and return back to the correct lane they may be hindered by you from performing so and because other cars behind you might want to overtake also.

In case you’d need towing services in Raleigh, give us a call here at Unlimited Recovery. Check this out for more information.

Choosing a Company for Illegal Parking Management

Parking management is among the methods that are greatest to handle suburban areas and the metropolis. Prohibited parking results to inconvenience and even confusion to the rightful customers of the place. It can impact companies and also causes blockage. Illegal parking management will of course need wreckers.

Tow trucks that are heavyweight are ideal generally. Prohibited parking could involve modest automobiles, trucks, and heavyweight trailers. These have to be eliminated in time. All these should enable suitable and timely removal of unlawfully parked vehicles.

Quick Response

Prohibited parking is an inconvenience that must be cleared rapidly. The greatest prohibited direction company may have needs to be rapid and dependable. What this means is that the autos in question will have to be cleared minutes after the phone call. This also means the outfit has to have more than a few tow vehicles smartly set for response that is fast. They make sure that your client parking areas are free of any obstruction in time for the parking.

Reliable Equipment

Towing may get extremely tricky particularly in terms of autos that are non-traditional. The wreckers must have the proper gear without harming them to pull the vehicles that are limiting. This calls for a well-furnished company that can handle any rising situation. Get more information here.

Heavy Machinery

Heavy duty tow vehicles are ideal. There are cases that illegal parking will involve vehicles and heavy machinery. These can be a serious issue in terms of towing and routing. Hefty pull trucks are great in this scenario. They are going to easily carry any size of hauler gear simple and fast away. The parking management providers that are prohibited that are best may also have ample parking area for the vehicles that are towed.

Superb Support

Proper customer attention and support methods are the frontline of any towing business that is good. An illegal parking management firm should have a customer care program that is good. This enables appropriate communication between the client and the company. Misapprehensions are the epitome of solutions that are poor. Open lines of communication will be an extra advantage.

Towing Safety Tips

Towing safety is crucial so as to prevent any occurrences that may damage property and lives. Whether it’s an emergency breakdown or repossession, towing should be done without causing any harm. Consider the following safety tips:

Tow truck capacity

Each tow truck is designed to handle a certain capacity. If you exceed the capacity, you are creating room for damage and accidents. Before you proceed to tow a vehicle, ensure that the tow truck can handle the vehicle’s capacity. The same applies for cranes to be used.

Safety of the tow truck

All automobiles, including tow trucks, need to be checked once in a while to ensure that they are safe on the road. Regular checks and repairs are necessary to keep the tow truck in good condition. To ensure that you tow safely, you should use a tow truck that is in good condition. If it’s been a while since the tow truck was checked, then it should probably be checked first before used for towing.

The tire pressure of the tow truck and the vehicle being towed should be checked. The tire pressure should be in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Tire pressure is important for safety and to boost the fuel efficiency as well.

Driving safety

The towing truck should be driven at a low speed with extreme care so as to generate forces. Slow and fast vehicles on the road should be watched out for. Overtaking very slow vehicles is not advisable. Helping the speeding drivers to overtake you effectively will play a very big role in maintaining road safety. Sudden braking should be avoided as well. The driver should press lightly on the brake.

Use quality chains

Use of high-quality chains is important in safety towing. Chains give you peace of mind by ensuring that if the vehicle being towed were to get disconnected; it would hang on the chains and not fall to the ground. It is very crucial as it also protects the safety of the other drivers on the road.

If you are not confident about towing, hire a professional towing company

Doing something that you are not confident about increases your chances of getting into an accident or causing damage. You can hire a professional towing company in Raleigh NC to do for you at a fee. Towing companies can be found by searching the internet, or you can ask for recommendations from people who have used towing companies before. Get more info here.

Road Emergency Tips

Even when you practice safety tips, emergencies are bound to happen now and then. If the unexpected happens while you are on the road, consider the following road emergency tips:

Stay calm

The first point to remember is that you need to keep calm. If you panic, you might end up causing more damage, and you will not be able to brainstorm a solution.

If the car is still moving, pull over and stop immediately. You should not continue driving after you have identified a fault with your car. This could worsen the damage, and you could get into an accident, damage other cars and hurt lives.

Call for help

If there is a signal where you are, you should call for help. You can call your auto service provider in Raleigh NC so that they can arrange on how your car will be fixed. You can also call the police if you don’t feel safe where you are. If you have friends and family nearby, you can also contact them so that they can pick you up and plan for your car to be repaired.

Always bring your cellphone along when you are on the road since you never know when a misfortune might strike. Learn more here.

Ask for help from passing motorists

If you are in a remote area with no signal, consider asking for help from the passing motorists. They could help you to start your car, change tires or drive you to a nearby town where you can seek help.

Use your road emergency kit

Every car owner on the road should have an emergency road kit. Some of the things that should be in the kit include coolant, bottled water, car oil, flashlight, pocket knife, screwdrivers, tire pressure gauge, washer fluid and jumper cables. You can either create your kit or buy an assembled one at the stores. After you have your kit, you should familiarize yourself with how the stuff in there works. When you are in an emergency circumstance, you can use this to fix the problem where you can.

Use your first aid kit

You also ought to have a first aid kit in your car. It can either be held separately or be part of the emergency car kit. If you feel pain or are hurt in an emergency situation, use the kit to do some first aid as you wait for help. There are ready first aid kits at the store, or you can make your own.