Bill of Rights from CAA could use a few additions

A good checklist will help save you time and money should the unexpected occur on the road, Lorraine Sommerfeld writes.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) wants to remind you that recent provincial government regulations relating to the towing industry are in place and ready to assist you — and so is the CAA.

It’s no secret that the second most unnerving part of being involved in a collision is watching some stranger put your car on a hook and trundle it away to … somewhere. Nobody leaves their house in the morning anticipating being in a crash, and for most of us, it doesn’t happen. It’s that rareness that makes dealing with it so tough.

Everybody has, or has heard of, a horror story. Rogue towers preying on people in shock, hauling off a mangled vehicle to a body shop they have an agreement with — an agreement to rip you off. Often involved in the scam are lawyers, therapists, clinics — you name it. Your car has been impounded, you’re holding a fistful of business cards of the “right” people who will help you, and your insurance company is asking you questions you can’t answer.

Changes to legislation were slow in coming, but took effect last year. Cleaning up the industry is imperative, not just to protect consumers, but to try to get a leash on skyrocketing insurance costs.

The CAA has produced a bill of rights, a guide you can download whether you’re a CAA member or not. They will be distributing 10,000 hard copies, which you can access by going to towrights.ca.

It’s a good list, but I’d add a few things.

If you are involved in a crash and police are on scene, their job, if there are no injuries, is to clear those lanes as soon as possible. That means even if you want to wait for a CAA tow truck, you might not be able to. The police get to make the decision, so don’t be surprised if they call over one of those trucks that sit roadside during rush hour to get it moved.

You’ve likely seen signs telling you to steer it and clear it. Again, if there are no injuries, don’t worry about keeping the scene intact. You’d be surprised at how good insurance adjusters are at sleuthing out who hit whom.

If your car is unsafe to drive, you’ll need a tow.

Don’t let another driver talk you into not reporting a crash. Go to a reporting centre within 24 hours, and note the other driver’s particulars (or take a picture of the information).

A slightly damaged bumper may not require a tow, but there’s a lot of expensive sensors in there and the amount can climb quickly.

Do not sign a blank work order. Ever.

If you can, together with the CAA Bill of Rights, have a list of places where you could have your vehicle towed. Most of us follow the same traffic patterns every day. Check ahead for dealers or recommended shops along the way. It’ll save you trying to come up with an answer to “where is it going?” when you’re in shock, or injured.

Try to remove what you need from your car before it gets towed away, including medications or prescription glasses.

Most insurance companies have a 24-hour reporting hotline. Call it if you need guidance. Walk your kids, or anyone else who drives your car, through the above steps. The smallest collision can leave you flustered, scared or badly shaken. Shock is a weird thing, so eliminate as many concerns as you can in advance. Remember that if your car is towed, you still have to get home.

If a situation still goes sideways on you, the CAA instructs you to contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in Ontario.

Keep these phone numbers, information and lists in your glovebox, because you never know when you’ll need them.