How Much Does a Tow Truck Cost?

Getting into an accident is unfortunate and incredibly stressful if your vehicle has sustained significant damage. In such cases, to avoid further damage to your vehicle, it is common to opt for towing services to ensure your vehicle is properly removed from the scene and is taken for repair as needed. 

With towing services, you have much-needed peace of mind during an accident or if your vehicle breaks down unexpectedly. However, knowing how much towing services can cost helps you be financially prepared to bear the costs. 

At the same time, it’s recommended to avoid towing your vehicle on your own, as it can aggravate the damage, resulting in more expensive repairs and replacement costs. To avoid such complications and ensure a hassle-free towing experience, it’s a wise idea to opt for professional towing services. 

How Much Does a Tow Truck Cost Per Kilometre?

Knowing towing costs is essential to avoid last-minute stress. In Australia, towing costs can range anywhere from $100 to $450. There are also various factors that directly and indirectly affect these rates, including the type of vehicle that needs to be towed, weather conditions, and distance for towing. 

Usually, the towing costs per kilometre have a flat rate for the first 10km. Beyond this, the tow truck companies can charge an additional fee for a range or on a per-kilometre basis. It’s best to get in touch with different towing companies to get a quote and have your vehicle towed professionally. Chances are, for heavy vehicles, extra costs can be applied to accommodate unique requirements. 

How Do Towing Prices Vary Across Major Australian Cities?

There are various factors that are considered when towing vehicles in Australia. These factors range from distance, location, and services required. Local tows usually range from $100 to $200 for small vehicles and will cost more for larger and heavier vehicles. 

For special circumstances, the prices can be lowered, and it is best to speak with a professional towing services provider. 

Here is a breakdown of towing prices in major Australian cities:

1. Sydney, NSW: Towing companies in Sydney can charge anywhere from $60 to $100 for towing services. Additional charges may apply depending on the variety of vehicles, the distance that needs to be towed, and the vehicle size. 
2. Melbourne, Victoria: The cost of towing services in Melbourne can range from anywhere between $200 to $350. The charges can vary to accommodate additional vehicle requirements and the distance that needs to be travelled. 
3. Brisbane, Queensland: $100 to $500 are the usual charges for towing services in Brisbane. For additional distances or to cover unique vehicle requirements, extra costs can be charged. 
4. Canberra: The average towing costs in Canberra can range anywhere between $100 and $400 depending on the type of vehicle, distance that needs to be travelled, and destination location. 
5. Perth, WA: Towing services in Perth cost between $100 and $500. Additional charges may apply depending on location, vehicle condition, and distance to be towed. 
6. Adelaide, SA: Tow charges range from $80 to $200, and additional charges apply depending on where the vehicle needs to be towed and other conditions. 

To get a fair price and avoid paying extra charges, it’s best to contact a reputable towing company in your area. They can ensure a quick assessment and offer a reliable quote for a transparent towing process. 

Additional Towing Costs for Different Vehicle Types

To understand the additional towing costs for different types of vehicles, the following table can help:

• Local towing: Anywhere between $80 and $150. Additional kilometres are charged on top of the base charge, varying from $5 to $10 per kilometre. 
• Long-distance towing: These towing services are more expensive and can start from $200 and go up to $1000. An additional per kilometre charge of $3 to $5 can be charged after the first 100 kilometres.
• Emergency towing and after-hours services: These services can be charged extra due to the urgent need to start with the towing services. Due to this, a surcharge is usually applied, ranging from $50 to $200 for after-hours towing. In case of emergency towing services, $120 to $200 can be charged depending on location, vehicle condition, and distance that needs to be towed. 
• Special vehicles: If motorcycles, vintage cars, or luxury vehicles need to be towed, additional charges can be applied to ensure special care is taken to tow the vehicle. These charges can range from $120 to $300 for short distances. 

What Factors Affect Tow Truck Prices?

Towing is an essential process if your vehicle has endured damage due to an accident or simply won’t move after a breakdown. But, given the prices of towing services, it is obvious to think about what really adds up to those costs and if they are valid. 

Rest assured that towing is a crucial process. It prevents your vehicle from causing damage to other vehicles, clears the road, and enables you to seek professional repair services without worrying about how to move your vehicle. 

Here are all the reasons that govern the prices of towing services:

1. Travelling Distance

The primary factor that’s often taken into consideration when calculating towing charges is the distance your vehicle needs to be towed. Towing costs usually include a base fee and then a per-kilometer charge for longer distances. So, if your vehicle needs to be towed for long distances, the overall towing costs will be higher. 

There’s a chance the towing company you are hiring may charge extra for towing luxury or vintage vehicles. This is purely because these vehicles require special care during the towing process. 

2. Time of Call-Out

The time of call-out refers to the time when you opted for a towing service. It can be during the day or at night. The time of call-out has an effect on the towing costs you will have to pay. For instance, if you are requesting towing services outside working hours (also known as after-hours), an additional charge will be added to the final quote. 

The after-hour charges are usually applied during late evenings, nights, weekends (depending on the operational hours of the towing company), public holidays, and early morning hours. The surcharge is a flat fee that is added to the base towing cost. In some cases, a percentage increase in the total towing charge can be implemented to cover the additional charges. 

Aside from these charges, emergency towing costs can be charged higher due to the nature of the service requirement and dispatch, regardless of the day. In case of an accident towing service need, surcharges of up to 20% can be charged to cover the staffing and equipment costs during emergency situations. 

3. Day of the Week

If you are availing of towing services during the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), you will be required to pay surcharges. These charges are meant to cover the costs of staffing and equipment during non-business hours. 

The amount of weekend surcharges is a flat fee that is usually added to the base towing costs. These charges are also applicable on public holidays or special occasions like emergency service needs on a weekend. 

4. Ease of Access to Hook-Up Your Vehicle

If your vehicle is out in the open and easily accessible, no special equipment or expertise will be required to tow it. However, if your vehicle is in a complicated situation where regular towing methods might not work and a special range of equipment and team of experts are required, additional charges will be applied to the base rate. This will ensure appropriate towing of your vehicle while ascertaining minimal damage. 

5. Size of Your Vehicle

The size and the type of vehicle being towed do have an impact on the total charges. For instance, 

• Standard cars and light vehicles are generally easier to tow and will have lower towing fees. 
• Larger vehicles, such as vans, trucks, and SUVs, will cost more to tow due to the complexities of towing equipment and specialisation requirements. 
• Heavier vehicles like machinery, trucks, and buses will be significantly more expensive to tow, as heavy-duty towing vehicles with special equipment will be required. 
• Towing for motorcycles can cost less than for small cars due to their lighter weight and securing methods. 
• In case towing for luxury, vintage, or modified vehicles is required, the towing charges will be higher to ensure appropriate expertise and equipment are being used to prevent damage during the retrieval process. 
• For vehicles that have sustained serious damage, the challenges with handling can increase, resulting in higher towing costs. 

6. Type of Tow Truck Required

Different tow trucks are designed for different purposes, and this aspect directly affects the towing charges. When a flatbed tow truck is used, the overall towing process will be expensive compared to when wheel-lift tow trucks are used. Hook and chain tow trucks are also common for getting the towing job done without adding significant costs. Other towing trucks that can raise the charges include boom trucks, which are known for their power. 

The Cost of Accident Towing

Accident towing is often unfortunate and will cost significantly higher than usual charges due to the complexity of retrieval requirements. Besides, a specialised range of equipment will be needed to ensure the vehicle is being safely towed without further adding to the damage. 

If the towing process is extremely complex, the charges will rise significantly to cover the equipment costs and expert’s charges. 

Who Pays for Towing?

The towing bill is handed over to the vehicle’s owner, and you, your insurance company, or the other driver are required to cover the towing charges. 

How Do You Choose a Reputable Towing Service?

To choose a reliable and trustworthy towing company, here are the key factors to consider:

• Clarity and fairness in pricing as well as the additional services they may offer. 
• Check if they are offering suitable options for towing and vehicle recovery to match your unique requirements.
• Check for their licensing and insurance to ensure you are trusting credible experts. 
• Evaluate the time taken to respond and the depth of consideration they have. 
• Their prioritisation of customer services and willingness to help with paperwork for insurance claims, etc. 

How Can Right2Drive Help After an Accident?

At Right2Drive, we understand the inconveniences after your vehicle has been towed. We offer not-at-fault car accident vehicles that you can use to move around while your car is being repaired. Once your car is back, we will work with you to recover the rental costs from the insurance provider.