Guide · 4 min read
How to Choose a Towing Company in Ontario
Stress makes it easy to accept the first offer. A few questions protect you and your vehicle.
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By MyTowPublished 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Ask for the price or how it is calculated before you agree to service.
- Confirm who is towing, what equipment they will use and where the vehicle is going.
- Be cautious about unsolicited tow trucks at a collision scene.
- Keep photos and paperwork for insurance claims.
Questions to ask before you agree
- What is the total price, or how is it calculated?
- What equipment will you use for my vehicle: flatbed, wheel-lift or dollies?
- Where will the vehicle be taken, and can I choose?
- How long will it take, and what affects arrival time?
- Will you give me paperwork or a receipt?
Match the equipment to the vehicle
All-wheel-drive, electric, lowered and damaged vehicles generally need a flatbed. An operator who is unwilling to discuss the right equipment for your vehicle is a warning sign.
Red flags
- A tow truck that arrives uninvited and pressures you to decide on the spot
- No clear price or an unwillingness to explain how it is calculated
- Unwillingness to say where the vehicle will be taken
- Demands for payment before the service in unusual forms
- No identification, company name or markings on the truck
Protect yourself at the scene
- Take photos of the vehicle and scene before the hookup
- Note the truck's company name, vehicle number and the operator's name
- Confirm the destination in writing or in the app
- Keep copies of anything you sign
- Check for damage when the vehicle arrives and compare with your photos
Why an online request helps
A request through a digital app records your location, the vehicle and what you asked for before anyone arrives. Dispatch confirms the details and pricing with you, so you are agreeing to a plan rather than reacting to a driver at the roadside.
Rules can change
Towing is regulated in Ontario and by municipalities, and rules can change. Check current guidance from the province or your municipality if you want details on licensing or consumer protections.
Common problems and solutions
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| A tow truck stops uninvited | You are not obliged to use it. Ask for price and destination, or request your own tow. |
| Price is unclear | Ask how the total is calculated and get it confirmed before you agree. |
| Unsure about the destination | Choose it yourself: a repair shop, a dealership or home. |
| Concerned about damage | Photograph the vehicle before and after, and keep paperwork. |
Need towing or roadside help now?
Depending on your situation, explore emergency towing, flatbed towing or roadside assistance. MyTow is a digital app where you can request a tow or roadside assistance in less than one minute. This is the time to submit your request, not a truck arrival estimate. Arrival depends on your location, traffic and dispatch coverage.
Review towing and roadside assistance pricing factors, how MyTow’s online request process works and roadside safety tips.
This guide is general information, not legal or mechanical advice. In an emergency, call 911.
Related services
Towing
Emergency Towing — service details
Stranded and need a tow now? Request one day or night across the GTA.
Towing
Flatbed Towing — service details
All four wheels off the road — ideal for AWD, lowered and damaged vehicles.
Roadside
Roadside Assistance — service details
Boosts, tire changes, lockouts and fuel — fixes that get you moving again.
Keep reading
Questions and answers
Do I have to accept a tow from a truck that shows up at the scene?
You can ask questions about pricing, destination and equipment and decide for yourself. If police arrange a tow, ask where the vehicle will go.
What should a tow company tell me before towing my car?
The price or how it is calculated, the equipment they will use, where the vehicle will be taken and how long it will take.
Can I choose where my car is towed?
In general you can tell the operator where to take it, such as a repair shop, dealership or home. Share the destination in your request.
How do I avoid being overcharged?
Ask for the price or how it is calculated before you agree, keep paperwork and compare what you were told with what you are asked to pay.
What proof should I keep after a tow?
Photos of the vehicle before and after, the receipt and any paperwork. They help with insurance claims or disputes.
What is "How to Choose a Towing Company in Ontario" about?
Stress makes it easy to accept the first offer. A few questions protect you and your vehicle.
What are the key points in "How to Choose a Towing Company in Ontario"?
Ask for the price or how it is calculated before you agree to service. Confirm who is towing, what equipment they will use and where the vehicle is going. Be cautious about unsolicited tow trucks at a collision scene. Keep photos and paperwork for insurance claims.
When should I call 911 instead of requesting a tow?
If anyone is injured, there is a fire, or your vehicle is blocking a live lane, call 911 first. Request a tow once everyone is safe.
Which MyTow services relate to this guide?
emergency towing, flatbed towing, roadside assistance. Each has its own page with details, coverage and pricing factors.
How do I request help from MyTow?
Open the MyTow digital app at https://app.mytow.ca/request or call dispatch at (647) 633-8885. MyTow is a digital app where you can request a tow or roadside assistance in less than one minute. This is the time to submit your request, not a truck arrival estimate. Arrival depends on your location, traffic and dispatch coverage.
Request towing or roadside help with MyTow
MyTow is a digital app where you can request a tow or roadside assistance in less than one minute. This is the time to submit your request, not a truck arrival estimate. Arrival depends on your location, traffic and dispatch coverage.
