What is the key difference between a tow and a recovery?

A tow is moving an accessible vehicle. A recovery is extricating a vehicle from a location where it is not easily accessible, such as down an embankment or in water.

Is winching my car onto the tow truck considered a recovery?

No. Using the main winch to load a car onto the truck is part of a standard tow. A recovery involves more complex winching or specialised equipment.

Why do some operators falsely label a tow as a recovery?

To make more money. A recovery classification allows them to add hundreds of dollars in fees that are not justified by the work performed.

My car is in a ditch. Is that a recovery?

Yes, almost certainly. Extracting a vehicle from a ditch is a textbook example of a legitimate recovery job that requires extra skill and time.

What should I do if a tow operator quotes me for a 'recovery' that seems like a normal tow?

Challenge them. Ask for a specific reason why it's a recovery. If their justification is weak (e.g., 'it's on a curb'), refuse the service and call a different provider.

Recovery vs Tow: When You’re Being Upgraded for Profit

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A standard tow and a vehicle recovery are two different services with two very different price points. Some tow operators in Western Australia intentionally blur this line, upgrading a simple tow to a “recovery” to justify a much higher bill. This is a classic upselling scam.

What Is a Standard Tow?

A standard tow involves moving a vehicle from one location to another. The car is on a road or in a car park, and it can be easily accessed and loaded onto a tow truck. This applies to most breakdowns and minor accidents.

What Is a Genuine Recovery?

A recovery is a complex, specialised job where a vehicle is not easily accessible. Legitimate recovery scenarios include:

A vehicle that has gone down an embankment or into a ditch.
A car that is submerged in water or mud.
A vehicle that is overturned or on its side.
A car that is in a location a tow truck cannot directly access, requiring extensive winching.

These jobs require extra time, equipment (like secondary winches or cranes), and skill, which justifies a higher price. This is why a recovery can cost $500 to $1500 or more.

How the "Recovery" Scam Works

The scam is simple. An operator arrives at the scene of a standard breakdown or minor accident and declares it a “recovery.” They will use flimsy justifications like:

The car is on a slight incline.
One wheel is on the kerb.
The car needs to be winched a few metres out of a parking bay.

These are not recoveries. These are routine parts of a standard tow. By labelling it a recovery, the operator can add hundreds of dollars to the invoice for a “service” that was not actually performed. Your insurer will likely reject this charge, leaving you to foot the bill.

How to Challenge a False Recovery Charge

If an operator tells you your job is a recovery, you need to ask a direct question:

“Why is this a recovery and not a standard tow? Please specify the additional equipment or time required.”

If they cannot give you a clear, logical answer that involves more than just standard winching onto the truck, they are trying to rip you off. A legitimate operator will be able to explain the exact reason for the classification.

InstaTow's Approach: Honest Classification

We do not play games with service classifications. Our platform assesses the job based on the information you provide. A tow is a tow. A recovery is only a recovery when it genuinely requires specialised work.

We provide a transparent, upfront price for the correct service. This protects you from being "upgraded" for profit at the roadside.

Don’t pay for a service you didn’t receive. Get a clear quote for the right job before you agree.