Frequently Asked Questions

Straight-Away Towing Service – FAQs

Straight Away Towing Service Raleigh NC - Red Flat Bed Truck New 3

Our New Red Flat Bed Tow Truck

At Straight-Away Towing Service, our number one priority is ensuring our customers receive fast, reliable and fully transparent towing and roadside assistance. We understand the stress that can come with a vehicle breakdown or accident, which is why we strive to address all needs as efficiently as possible.

Below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you may have – our staff is standing by 24/7 to discuss our services and provide a quote. We aim to make the towing process as simple and straightforward as we can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What areas does Straight-Away Towing Service cover?
A: We provide towing and roadside assistance throughout Raleigh, Cary, RTP and surrounding communities within a 25 mile radius.
Q: What services do you offer?
A: We offer a full range of towing and roadside assistance services including light/heavy duty towing, jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, accident recovery, long distance towing, automobile transport and more.
Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: Our towing and roadside assistance services are available 24/7 every day of the year.
Q: How quickly can you arrive for a service call?
A: For emergencies within Raleigh city limits, we aim to arrive within 30 minutes. Response times may vary for locations further out due to traffic or weather conditions.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept most major credit/debit cards as well as cash for payment on-site.
Q: Can you tow vehicles of any size?
A: Yes, our fleet includes equipment capable of towing passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, RVs, boats and other heavy-duty vehicles.
Q: What should I do if I need a tow but can’t stay with my vehicle?
A: Call us at (919) 234-5400. Provide your contact information and the vehicle location details. We’ll secure your vehicle and contact you regarding next steps.
Q: Are your services insured?
A: Yes, we are fully insured with commercial auto and business liability policies.
Q: How can I get a quote for a tow?
A: Call us at (919) 234-5400 to provide vehicle and service details. We’ll provide an upfront quote over the phone.
Q: Do you offer long distance towing?
A: Yes, while our primary coverage area is within 25 miles, we can accommodate towing requests for distances further than that depending on the details. Call (919) 234-5400 for a quote or contact us and fill out the service request form.
Q: I’m not sure what’s wrong with my vehicle. Can you help diagnose the problem?
A: While we’re not a full-service repair shop, our drivers are highly experienced and can often help troubleshoot basic issues like determining if it’s safe to drive or providing suggestions on next steps.
Q: My vehicle has been impounded. Can you help retrieve it?
A: Yes, we work with local impound lots and towing companies. Call us for the impound location details and we’ll coordinate pickup and transport.
Q: What safety measures do you have in place due to COVID-19?
A: The safety of our customers and drivers is a top priority. All equipment is sanitized between uses and drivers wear masks and gloves. We also allow for contactless service if preferred.
Q: What information should I have ready when I call for a tow?
A: Please be prepared to provide your name, contact details, vehicle location, year/make/model of vehicle, and description of the problem you’re experiencing. This helps us dispatch the right truck quickly.
Q: My car is stuck in a tricky location. Can you still tow it?
A: Our experienced drivers are highly skilled at accessing vehicles in tight spaces. We’ll evaluate access and terrain to determine the safest approach or solutions for retrieval.
Q: Do you work with insurance companies and motor clubs?
A: Yes, we are members of most major insurers’ towing networks and have direct billing setups with many. Call us for insurance paperwork assistance.
Q: Do you provide towing services for motorcycles and ATVs?
A: Yes, our fleet includes equipment for transporting a variety of motorized vehicles including motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, jet skis, and more.
Q: Do you offer car lockout or locksmith services?
A: No, we do not provide on-site locksmith services. We can recommend reputable local locksmith businesses if needed.
Q: Do you provide heavy-duty towing services?
A: Yes, we have wreckers, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks equipped to handle larger commercial vehicles and machinery.
Q: What kind of heavy-duty towing services do you provide? What kind of trucks do you use?
A: Services include breakdown assistance, accident recovery, oversize/overweight transport and more. Our fleet includes Rotators, flatbeds, dual-axle heavy wreckers rated up to 100 tons with specialized slings/lifts.
Q: How do you handle heavy equipment and machinery?
A: We have experience transporting equipment like excavators, bulldozers, cranes, boring machines and more. Proper strapping/securement is critical. Rates vary based on load.
Q: Do you offer local and long-distance heavy-duty towing services?
A: Yes, while our primary coverage area is within 50 miles, we can accommodate heavy-duty towing for distances over that on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Do you provide emergency and roadside assistance for heavy-duty vehicles?
A: Yes, our heavy-duty fleet and trained operators are available for services like jump starts, fuel delivery, tire changes, winching/extrication for large commercial vehicles or equipment.
Q: Do you have storage facilities for vehicles?
A: We do not have our own long-term storage yards. However, we can transport vehicles to secure tow yards and auto auctions when necessary.
Q: Can you tow boats and personal watercraft?
A: Yes, we have trailers capable of hauling a wide range of boats, personal watercraft, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and other water vehicles.
Q: Can you pick up and deliver my vehicle for services like repairs?
A: As part of our transportation services, we can pick up vehicles from homes or businesses and deliver them to repair shops or other destinations within our service area.
Q: Do you charge for mileage or is there a fee for travel time?
A: There is no additional fee for travel time. However, rates are based on mileage from our yard to your location and back. Prices are transparent – there are no surprise or hidden fees.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: In addition to major credit/debit cards, we accept cash, checks or can establish direct billing accounts for commercial customers. Payment is due at the time of service.
Q: Do you have testimonials or reviews from customers?
A: We have numerous positive third-party reviews and social media testimonials. Let us know if you’d like us to provide some examples of what our past customers have said.
Q: Do you charge for after-hours service calls?
A: We provide 24/7 emergency response coverage without additional after-hours fees. Our standard rates apply regardless of time of day.
Q: What holidays do you observe? Are there reduced/limited services?
A: We remain fully operational 365 days a year, including all holidays. However, response times may be slightly longer on major holidays due to expected increase in call volume.
Q: How do I request roadside assistance if I can’t call due to no cell service?
A: Use emergency roadside call boxes if available or have someone else call on your behalf. Be near your vehicle and we’ll identify you based on details provided by the caller.
Q: What is your cancellation/no-show policy?
A: A fee may apply if cancellation is made after dispatch or if we arrive on site and you are no longer present without notice. Please call promptly if help is no longer needed.
Q: How do I dispute a charge on my invoice?
A: First, contact us directly to try and resolve amicably. If unresolved, you may submit disputes in writing within 30 days for review by our accounting department.
Q: What types of vehicles are excluded from your standard towing coverage?
A: We can accommodate most vehicles but cannot tow unsafe, illegally parked, or abandoned vehicles without proper documentation or authorization.
Q: Do you pass through any additional fees from repair shops, auctions, etc?
A: No, our quoted rate for a service is the complete cost to the customer. We do not add on or pass through additional fees without pre-authorization.