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It’s a common and highly effective lie at accident scenes across Western Australia: a tow truck driver arrives and claims they were “sent by the police.” They do this for one reason: to manufacture instant authority and shut down your decision-making process.
They know that the presence of police can be intimidating. By associating themselves with law enforcement, they create the impression that the tow is official, mandatory, and not open for discussion. It’s a shortcut to getting your keys.
The Reality of Police-Involved Towing
WA Police do not have a list of preferred tow companies they dispatch to everyday accidents. Their involvement is strictly limited to:
- Clearing Hazards: Ordering the removal of a vehicle that blocks traffic or poses a danger.
- Impounding Vehicles: Seizing a vehicle for evidentiary purposes or due to serious driving offences.
In these specific, non-consensual situations, they use a contracted operator from their own roster. They are not calling a random tow company on your behalf for a standard post-accident tow.
Why the Lie is So Powerful
Drivers are conditioned to comply with police instructions. By falsely claiming to be acting on police orders, a predatory operator can:
- Bypass questions about price.
- Override your choice of destination.
- Create a sense of urgency that discourages you from calling your insurer or another provider.
- Make you feel like you have no choice but to agree.
It is a psychological tactic, plain and simple.
How to Safely Challenge the Lie
You do not need to get into an argument. You just need to seek clarification from the right source.
If an operator makes this claim, and an officer is still on scene, you approach the officer and ask:
“Officer, just to confirm, have you ordered this specific company to tow my vehicle, or am I free to arrange my own?”
This puts the question to the legitimate authority figure. The officer will almost always confirm that the choice is yours. The tow operator’s lie is instantly exposed without a confrontation.
If no officer is present, treat the claim with extreme suspicion. Tell the operator you will be calling the police to verify, or simply state that you will be making your own arrangements.
The Bottom Line
Do not let a tow operator use the authority of a police uniform to their advantage. The decision of who tows your car is yours.
Call InstaTow. We operate with your consent, not with lies. We provide a clear quote and a verified driver, giving you back the control that is rightfully yours.
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