how much extra to flatbed a car?

[rh71]

My auto insurance only covers $100 to [regular] tow a car which in my experience is barely enough. On a few occasions, my nephew had to go a handful of miles and it was about $115 (at the time we were covered for $125). My new policy is only $100 and it costs more to go up to $150 coverage. So for a typical flatbed journey, will it be significantly more?

 

[Jimzz]

That varies a LOT by location and what they want to charge.
Most around here seem to only use flatbeds now since so many cars have a hard time with the "old" style. So the few times I had to get one they used a flatbed.

 

[KentState]

It cost the dealer $500 for a round trip flatbed delivery of my car from Ohio to Georgia.

 

[saratoga172]

I think most insurance companies have contracts and deals worked out with tow companies.

So something a 5 mile pickup might cost 250 but insurance has it worked out to around 100-125 for policy holders which they've already covered in the contract. It's probably a fee based like such

50 pickup
15 per mile
Etc

 

[franksta]

I've had 2 cars towed by a body shop. As far as I know they only own flatbeds and it was $60 each time. It was roughly 15 miles for each car.

 

[XavierMace]

Last car I had towed was close to 20 miles I want to say and it was like $50.

 

[summit]

get auto club!

 

[phucheneh]

Around here, the typical 'good' rate is maybe $80. Maybe 120-150 for the 'in your butt' rate. In addition to getting charged that if you're silly enough to call those companies without doing a bit of checking around, they are also the companies that the police will call to have broken/wrecked/abandoned cars towed at the owner's expense.

That's for maybe a 10 mile tow, tops. Everybody is gonna go per mile at a point.

 

[DaTT]

In my experience, there is no cost difference between a traditional tow truck and a flatbed....come to think of it, I don't often see traditional tow trucks any more.

 

[bruceb]

For me, if the car is being towed due to mechanical failure, I call a flat bed. Now if it was involved in a wreck, then I do not care what they use, as there is already enough damage to fix. My insurance (Met Life Auto) paid in full for a flat bed tow of about 15 miles due to engine trouble.

 

[phucheneh]

For me, if the car is being towed due to mechanical failure, I call a flat bed. Now if it was involved in a wreck, then I do not care what they use, as there is already enough damage to fix. My insurance (Met Life Auto) paid in full for a flat bed tow of about 15 miles due to engine trouble.

Be careful with this attitude. Careless drivers will end up causing more damage to your car. Even if insurance is paying, it may be damage that won't get fixed.

We towed your car on the drive wheels and smoked the trans? Whoops! Oh well, at least you got your body work fixed.

 

[Murloc]

I don't think I've ever seen a traditional tow truck like those you see in the american movies. It's just limitating regarding what you can pick up and it can break stuff.
Here getting your car rescued costs a shitload of money, hundreds of dollars down the sink.

 

[thomsbrain]

AAA costs like $100 a year for 200 miles of towing coverage, plus all the other roadside assistance (including free gas) and discounts at hotels and stuff. It's already paid for itself many times over. Towed me from Sacramento to Santa Cruz and didn't cost me a dime.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, I know what you are saying. But in some cases, the driver is not on scene when the tow truck arrives. Most of them know what they are doing and depending on how bad a wreck is, I would not want the car fixed.