Call your insurance to ask how they want the car handled and whether they have a preferred shop or inspection site. If you already have a body shop you trust, ask your insurer about using it. Tell the tow company the exact destination before the car is loaded.
After a crash, one quick decision affects the next few weeks: where the car goes when it leaves the scene.
What are the usual options?
- A body shop you choose. Good if you already trust one.
- A shop your insurance works with. Some insurers have networks that can make the claim process simpler.
- Your home, if you need time to decide and the car can be parked safely.
- An insurance inspection site, if your insurer asks for it.
Who should I call first?
If you can, call your insurance before the car is towed and ask:
- Where they want the car inspected.
- Whether you can choose your own repair shop.
- What towing and storage costs they cover.
Why not just send it anywhere?
Moving a car twice costs more. Storage fees can also add up if the car sits at a place you didn’t plan. Deciding the destination once saves time and money.
What does the tow company need?
The exact destination, the shop’s name and phone, and whether the shop is open to receive the car. At night, many shops have a drop-off area. Calling ahead helps.
What if I can’t decide at the scene?
Taking the car home, if it can be parked safely and legally, gives you time to talk with your insurer.
Dala Multiservices tows vehicles after accidents to the place you choose in Tampa and nearby cities, 24/7: (813) 293-3415.