So your car is in the ditch; what now?
Tow trucking companies recommend that the first thing a driver does when their car ends up in a ditch is call the police.
Sergeant Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol said the Iowa State Patrol will assist drivers who get stuck during winter storms.
'We will definitely send first responders out there, pick you up, take you to a safe location, whether that be a gas station or a hotel. But we want to get somebody nearby. We want to get you out of, out of harm's way,' Sergeant Dinkla said.
After assistance from the Iowa State Patrol it is a driver's responsibility to have a tow truck retrieve their car.
Andy Deboard, the President of Perry's Service and Towing, said tow companies are able to take driver's cars wherever is needed after they end up in a ditch.
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'Some people just want to take them back to their house so they can actually see how bad it is. Some want it taken straight to their preferred body shop. Sometimes insurance companies will have body shops that they prefer to work with and your insurance company may advise you. You have the best shops to take it to, but we can really take it anywhere you want your car taken to,' Deboard said.
Carlos Palacios, the Officer Manager at Budget Insurance, said after drivers call 911 and have their car towed it's important to contact insurance to start the claims process.
'After you've called the police and you know you're not on the side of the road anymore, that's when you want to call your insurance. Figure out first what coverage you have and how you can get a claim turned in,' Palacios said.
Once drivers start a claim process they can find an autobody shop to provide repairs.
Joey Tessman, the Owner of Joey's Auto Shop, said that drivers should look for experienced mechanics to work on their cars.
'You want to make sure that the shop understands what your problem is and that they're the best one to fix it for you. You know, having the right technicians trained, you know, will help the process along. Make sure that you get the repair done properly the first time,' Tessman said.
The best way to avoid needing a tow truck is to stay off the roads during a winter storm.
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