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At the chaotic scene of a car accident, predatory tow operators use a script of well-practiced lies to manipulate stressed drivers. These lies are designed to sound plausible and helpful, but their only purpose is to get your keys in their hand as quickly as possible. Here are the most common lies and the reality behind them.
The Lie #1: “Don’t worry, your insurance will cover it.”
The Reality: This is a tactic to stop you from asking the price. Your insurer will only cover “reasonable” costs. If the operator inflates the bill with excessive fees, your insurer can refuse to pay the full amount, leaving you liable for the difference.
The Lie #2: “We were sent by the police / your insurer / Main Roads.”
The Reality: Unless you personally called them, this is almost always false. Police and Main Roads do not have preferred tow companies for public jobs. Your insurer does not know you’ve crashed until you call them. This lie is designed to create a false sense of authority.
The Lie #3: “The tow is free.”
The Reality: Nothing is free. The cost of the tow is hidden in other back-end charges like exorbitant “recovery fees,” “admin fees,” and, most importantly, daily storage fees. The “free” tow is the bait for a much more expensive trap.
The Lie #4: “We have to take it to our yard for assessment.”
The Reality: This is the setup for the storage fee scam. You have the right to decide where your car is towed. A legitimate operator will take it to your home or your chosen mechanic. Forcing you to use their yard is how they take your car hostage.
The Lie #5: “You have to sign this now to clear the road.”
The Reality: This is manufactured urgency. They are rushing you to sign a blank or vague form that gives them legal authority to charge you whatever they want. Do not sign anything until the final price and destination are written on the form.
The Lie #6: “It’s a complex recovery, not a standard tow.”
The Reality: This is an upselling tactic. Unless your car is down an embankment or in a truly inaccessible position, it’s a standard tow. They use the word “recovery” to justify adding hundreds of dollars to the bill for work that is not actually required.
How to Protect Yourself
The defence against these lies is simple: be sceptical and demand transparency. Assume nothing. Question everything.
Or, even better, make the first call yourself to a trusted source like InstaTow, where the price is fixed, the provider is vetted, and the lies are impossible.
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