With the car population expanding on a day-to-day basis, having a towing company you can rely on is an essential factor which will help you survive the Maltese roads. Getting stranded in the middle of the road is hazardous and inconvenient both for you and for the other drivers on the road, so having a membership with a reliable towing company is crucial. Despite taking your vehicle for regular maintenance and annual servicing, it can still suffer an electrical or mechanical breakdown, when and where you least expect it. You can rest assured tow trucks are fully equipped to handle both minor and major breakdowns.

What type of services do towing companies provide?

Most companies which offer towing services, provide their assistance 24/7, every day of the year, Sundays and public holidays included. An emergency breakdown can take place at any time and any location, so the majority of companies offer their service all around Malta and Gozo.

Be it a standard car or commercial van, a vintage or a sports car, a heavy vehicle or a caravan, several tow trucks can offer their assistance to any vehicle. Others may also provide motorbike towing, bus and truck towing, and boat towing at the beginning and end of the boating season. Taking part in a racing competition? Your car can be towed to the racing track for your peace of mind.

Here are some of the services offered by towing companies:

• Roadside assistance
• Vehicle towing to the address of your choice
• Accident recovery
• Repair of mechanical and electrical faults
• Puncture repair
• Tyre replacement
• Battery boosts or battery replacement
• Fuel supply
• Vehicle unlocking

Car repair services

Got involved in an accident? Is your car in a non-drivable condition? Apart from towing your vehicle to a garage of your choice, some towing companies have their own repair centre, where they can carry out all the required mechanical or electrical repairs. From panel beating, to windscreen repair, and spray painting, your vehicle can be back on the road in no time. Some towing companies may also offer new and used auto parts for sale and may even offer a replacement car, while your car is being repaired.

Booking a towing service

Many companies which provide towing services, offer a range of membership packages to choose from. You would need to evaluate what works best for you. You may decide to register a vehicle, so it would be entitled to towing services regardless of who's driving it, or you may opt to register a particular individual- enabling him to call for assistance, regardless of the vehicle he was driving. On the other hand, you may choose a subscription which offers overseas assistance in Sicily or Europe if you're a frequent traveller.

Pricing will vary according to whether you're a member with the towing company or whether you're calling for a one-time service. Vehicle type also determines the cost; commercial vehicle and boat towing, would expectedly be more expensive than standard car towing. In some cases, you can apply for and renew subscriptions online.

Do check with your car insurance company- as several insurance agencies have agreements with towing companies, and you could be entitled to free roadside assistance and towing services.

Road Safety Tips:

When you do suffer a breakdown, it's imperative that you stay safe while waiting for assistance. Here are some tips you should follow to ensure safety at all times:

• Keep the emergency number handy, to minimise the time you spend waiting in the road. When you call, make sure you indicate your specific location, membership number and type of car. There may be a limit to the number of times you're entitled to call for assistance, so beware.
• Try to stop in a safe place, such as a side street, and avoid stopping in busy roads if possible.
• Make sure your vehicle is visible to oncoming traffic. Hazard lights may not be enough, so make sure you keep a reflective triangle in your vehicle.
• When you get out of your vehicle, make sure you're wearing light-coloured clothing or a high visibility vest, especially at night, and stay in a safe place.
• If you've been involved in an accident, don't move the vehicles until a warden or the police arrive, and move away from the vehicles.
• Willing to change a flat tyre? Make sure you check the pressure of the spare tyre often and carry a jack and lug wrench to help you replace your flat tyre.
• Keep a blanket, a pair of gloves and water in your car, in case you need to wait in extreme weather.
• Keep the following safety accessories in your vehicle: a reflective triangle, engine oil, coolant, puncture sealant, jump leads, fire extinguishers and a first aid kit.
• Service your vehicle at least once a year and check tyre pressure, oil level and fuel before you begin a journey to mitigate a breakdown incident, where possible.

Check out essential car maintenance tips, mistakes you're doing with your car, and driving habits you should avoid for safer driving on the road.