New Jersey towing questions, answered before you call the tow truck

A tow is a hook fee, which covers dispatching the truck, loading the car and the driver's time on scene, plus a per-mile rate from pickup to the destination you choose. The dispatcher adds the two and quotes you one total before the truck leaves Linden. The receipt matches the quote, and there is no separate drop fee.

Because a number on a page cannot know where you are, what you drive or how far the car is going. A flatbed for an AWD SUV going thirty miles is a different job from a wheel-lift for a sedan going three. A quote on the phone takes about thirty seconds and is exact. Call (908) 444-0129, ask, and hang up if you do not like it.

No. There is no night surcharge, no weekend or holiday surcharge, no fuel surcharge, no administrative fee and no charge for a passenger in the cab. The flat structure is the same at any hour, any day and in any weather. If a driver ever asks for a different number than dispatch quoted for the same job, call dispatch from the scene.

All major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash, paid on site when the job is done. Businesses with a fleet account get one monthly invoice itemized by unit number, with net terms for established accounts. Scheduled long-distance runs take a deposit at booking and the balance on delivery.

Often, yes. Collision coverage usually reimburses a tow to a repair shop after an accident, and most roadside memberships reimburse an out-of-network tow or service up to the plan's limit. Every job comes with an itemized receipt showing date, pickup, drop-off, mileage, the vehicle and the service performed, which is what adjusters and plan forms ask for.

No. You call, the technician comes, and you pay for that one service by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or cash. Many roadside plans and insurance policies reimburse an out-of-network call anyway, and the itemized receipt we hand you is what their forms ask for. The roadside assistance page covers every service in detail.

Connect a commercial lithium jump pack rated for cars, trucks and diesels, start the engine, then load-test the battery and check charging voltage. That tells you in a couple of minutes whether to drive for a while or plan on a new battery. Hybrids are jumped through their 12-volt auxiliary battery. If the battery is finished, the tow to a shop is quoted on the same call.

With a usable spare, the technician installs it using a floor jack, impact gun, wheel-lock sockets and a torque wrench, with the truck's amber lights between you and traffic. With no spare, or a flat spare, the tow to the tire shop you choose is quoted on the same call and you do not pay a second callout. Details on the flat tire change page.

We open locked cars and trunks with inflatable wedges and long-reach tools, so there is no coat hanger, no broken glass and no harm to wiring or side airbags. We check ID and registration after entry. We do not cut or program keys; if the key is lost, we can tow the car to a dealer or automotive locksmith.

Enough regular unleaded or diesel to reach the next station, delivered at a flat price plus the fuel at cost. Diesels that ran fully dry may need bleeding, and the technician knows the procedure on most trucks and vans. If you put the wrong fuel in, do not start the engine; the car goes to a shop to be drained.

Usually not. A winch out rigs a strap to a proper recovery point, never the suspension or bumper, and pulls the car straight back onto solid ground, often with a snatch block for a clean line. Most of the time you check it over and drive away. If something is bent or leaking, the tow is quoted on scene with no second callout.

Four things: exactly where you are (road, direction and nearest exit, or the address or cross streets), what happened, the year, make and model, and where the car should go. Those answers decide whether a technician, a wheel-lift or a flatbed is sent and set the flat price. If you are not sure whether your car is AWD, give the model and we will know.

Wherever you choose: your mechanic, a dealer, a body shop or your own driveway. We never take a car to a storage yard we picked, so there is no daily storage on your bill. If the shop is closed when we arrive, the car can be left in its lot with the key in the drop box, or held and delivered first thing in the morning.

In most cases one passenger can ride in the cab to the destination, and there is no charge for it. Tell the dispatcher how many people are with the car when you call so the plan accounts for everyone, especially at night or on a highway where waiting for a second ride is not safe.

Our driver calls you when he is a few minutes out and, on arrival, says the company name and your name. Do not accept a tow from a truck that shows up without being called; on some roads unsolicited trucks stop at breakdowns and charge whatever they like. If in doubt, call dispatch at (908) 444-0129 and confirm before anything is hooked.

Get as far right as you can, or off at the next exit, turn the wheels away from traffic and put the hazards on. Stay belted in the car unless the car itself is in danger; then wait behind the guardrail, away from the vehicle. Keep your phone charged, and take out your wallet, keys, medication and registration before the car is loaded.

Yes. Shop transfers, dealer drops, cars bought online and long-distance moves can be booked for the window you choose instead of dispatched immediately, at the same flat quoted price. Call dispatch or send the details through the contact page, and businesses that move vehicles regularly can set up a fleet account with a direct line and one monthly invoice.