By Angar, owner of Angar Towing ·
What counts as an emergency tow
Any situation where your vehicle can't safely move under its own power and you need it moved now: a breakdown in traffic, a collision, a car that won't start in a spot you can't leave it, a vehicle stuck in a ditch or snowbank, or warning lights and smoke that make it unsafe to keep driving.
Some problems don't need a tow at all. A dead battery, flat tire, lockout or empty tank can usually be fixed where you are, which is faster and cheaper. Tell the dispatcher what happened and they'll tell you whether a tow is needed.
Step 1: The call
When you call, the dispatcher asks four things: where you are, what vehicle you have, what happened, and where you want the vehicle to go. The more precise your location, the faster we find you. On a highway, give the direction of travel and the nearest exit or kilometre marker. In a parking garage, give the building address and parking level.
You should get the price and an arrival estimate before anything is booked. If a company won't tell you the price on the phone, call someone else.
Step 2: What affects arrival time
Arrival time depends on how far the nearest available truck is, traffic, weather and how busy the night is. Rush hour on the 401 and the first big snowstorm of the year are the slowest times. Overnight, when roads are empty, trucks move faster.
Fleet size matters. A company with a handful of trucks may have all of them out on calls. With 183 trucks working across Ontario, we usually have one nearby. The dispatcher gives you an estimate for your situation, and the driver can call you on the way.
Step 3: When the truck arrives
The driver looks at your vehicle and confirms how to load it: a wheel-lift for most front-wheel-drive cars, a flatbed for all-wheel-drive, electric and damaged vehicles, or dollies for locked wheels. They confirm the price and destination again and get your consent before hooking up.
Check that the truck shows a tow operator certificate number. In Ontario, certified tow operators display it on the truck. Ours is TO-219-422-701.
Step 4: Loading and the trip
Loading usually takes a few minutes. A car stuck in a ditch or deep in an underground garage takes longer. One passenger can often ride along; ask when you call.
At the destination the driver unloads the vehicle and gives you an itemized invoice.
What emergency towing costs
Most tows in Ontario are priced as a hook-up fee plus a per-kilometre rate. A flatbed usually costs more than a wheel-lift. Winching, underground garages and heavy vehicles are priced separately.
Ontario's Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act requires tow operators to tell you the price, get your consent, accept credit cards and give you an itemized invoice. Call (647) 863-6271 for the price of your tow.
How to stay safe while you wait
Pull as far off the road as you can and turn on your hazards. On a busy highway, the safest place is usually inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on. Only get out if the vehicle is at risk of being hit or catching fire, and then stand well away from traffic. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.
In some restricted towing zones on GTA provincial highways, only authorized tow companies can respond. Ontario's guidance there is to call 511 for a tow.
How to choose a tow company
Look for a company that answers 24/7, tells you the price on the phone, shows a tow operator certificate number on its trucks, carries proper insurance, and has real recent reviews. Avoid any tow truck that shows up uninvited and pressures you to sign or to use a particular shop.
Related services
Need help now? Call (647) 863-6271, 24/7.