When you’re broken down at the side of the road, choosing a recovery company can feel like a decision you have to make under pressure. But taking two minutes to ask the right questions can save you significant money and avoid problems later. Here are seven things to check before agreeing to a tow in Ireland.
Any legitimate tow company operating in Ireland should hold motor trade liability insurance covering vehicle recovery operations. This protects your car while it is in their care and in transit. You are entitled to ask for confirmation of their insurance before they touch your vehicle.
If a company is reluctant to confirm their insurance status, consider that a red flag. All companies registered on TowingIreland.ie are required to confirm valid insurance as part of their registration.
Always ask for an all-in price before the company starts work. This should include:
A company that quotes you €100 but charges €130 after adding VAT and a “fuel surcharge” is not being transparent. Ask specifically: “Is that the total all-in price I will pay?”
💡 Your legal right: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 (Ireland), traders must provide clear and transparent pricing to consumers. You are entitled to a total price before the service is performed.
Check that the company is a legitimate Irish business. You can verify Irish company registrations on the Companies Registration Office website (cro.ie). Sole traders are not required to register with the CRO but should be able to provide a business name and address.
A quick Google or Facebook search for the company name will usually surface reviews from previous customers. Look for consistent patterns — not just the star rating. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews, as this tells you how they handle disputes.
Make sure the recovery company understands and agrees to take your vehicle to your chosen destination — not just to their preferred garage. Some operators will take your car to a garage they have a commercial arrangement with rather than the one you specify. You are entitled to choose where your car goes.
If possible, get the agreed price and destination confirmed via text or email before they start. A simple “Just to confirm, you’re collecting from [location] and taking the car to [garage] for €[amount] total including VAT” is sufficient. This protects you if there is a dispute later.
Even in a breakdown situation, it is worth taking five minutes to compare. The price difference between the first company you call and the most competitive local operator can be €40–€100 on a typical job.
TowingIreland.ie sends your breakdown details to multiple local recovery companies simultaneously, so you receive competing quotes without making multiple calls. All companies on the platform have confirmed their insurance and agreed to the platform’s terms for operators.
If you or anyone with you is in immediate danger, call 999 before anything else. This guide is for situations where you are safely stopped and choosing a recovery option.
If a recovery company damages your vehicle during towing, you may have a claim against their insurance or through the Small Claims Court (claims up to €2,000). Keep all receipts and document any damage with photos before and after the tow.
If you believe you have been charged an unfair or undisclosed price, you can contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for advice.
TowingIreland.ie acts solely as an intermediary and is not a party to the contract between you and any recovery company. However, if you experience serious misconduct from a company found through our platform, you can report it to us and we will consider removing them from the service.
All companies on TowingIreland.ie have confirmed their insurance and agreed to platform terms. Get competing quotes from multiple operators before deciding. Free, no obligation.
🚗 Get Free Quotes NowDisclaimer: TowingIreland.ie is a comparison platform and acts solely as an intermediary between customers and independent recovery operators. All prices quoted are estimates based on market research and will vary by company, location, distance and vehicle type. TowingIreland.ie is not responsible for the services or pricing of any individual tow company. Always verify pricing directly with your chosen operator before confirming a booking. In an emergency, call 999.