Do you tip tow truck drivers?
Are you wondering: "Do you tip tow truck drivers"? Whether or not you tip tow truck drivers is primarily based on personal preference. However, most tow truck drivers appreciate tips. In general, you should consider tipping your tow truck driver $5 for small jobs and $10 for large jobs.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 13, 2023
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UPDATED: Oct 13, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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- In general, you may choose to tip your tow truck driver as much or as little as you feel they deserve, although tips are always greatly appreciated
- You may want to consider tipping $5 for small jobs, such as changing a tire or unlocking your car, and $10 for large jobs, such as towing your vehicle or helping you in bad weather
- Some companies may discourage tipping, especially if you have roadside assistance coverage from your auto insurance, but you can still choose to tip if you wish
Do you tip tow truck drivers? Answers may vary based on opinions about the skill required to complete tow jobs, whether tow truck drivers already make enough money, and whether towing services are covered by your auto insurance policy.
Read more below about the generally-accepted rules about tipping your tow truck driver, how much tow truck drivers make, and how much towing services can cost.
If you need help finding auto insurance with roadside assistance to reduce your tow truck expenses, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above.
Do you tip tow truck drivers?
Do you tip a truck driver? In general, tipping truck drivers is appreciated but not required. However, customer opinion varies on whether tipping your tow truck driver is necessary. Therefore, some people make judgment calls based on how valuable their service was. They factor in how much the tow truck driver helped with their car, how skillfully they completed the task, and how much work went into helping them.
It is especially appreciated if you tip your tow truck driver after they have gone above and beyond to help you. Here are some instances in which you should highly consider tipping a tow truck driver:
- They help you late at night
- They tow your car a far distance
- They help you in a difficult area
- They have a hard time getting your car out of a difficult situation
- They help you on a dangerous highway
- They help you during bad weather
- They provide quick and helpful service
In some instances, a company may discourage tipping, such as if you have towing coverage from your auto insurance company. Therefore, the tow truck driver may not expect a tip, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give them one. Even if you’re told not to tip, you can still give one if you feel it is deserved.
There are also some instances in which tipping your tow truck driver may just be unacceptable. For example, if they are rude or unprofessional, you may not feel that they deserve a tip. In addition, if they damage your vehicle, then that’s an obvious reason not to tip. You could also choose not to tip if you feel they are overcharging you, but this can sometimes be difficult to determine.
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How much should you tip a tow truck driver?
To make it simple, you can tip your tow truck driver however much you want to or can afford. However, there are some general rules that you may want to consider.
For example, many people say that tipping $5 for small jobs and $10 for large jobs is sufficient. Small jobs would include things like changing a flat tire or helping you unlock your car, while large jobs include things like towing your car or having to help in bad conditions.
Today, it’s very easy to leave your house without cash, so if you’re unable to tip, you can always express your disappointment at not being able to tip the tow truck driver and ask if there’s something else you can do to help them. For example, you might be able to take a few business cards to give to other people, or you could offer to leave a good review online.
Should you tip roadside assistance?
Do you tip tow truck drivers from AAA and other roadside assistance programs? In general, the same rules apply to tow truck drivers from roadside assistance programs. However, as we stated above, some companies may discourage tipping if you have roadside assistance coverage where your insurance pays for the services.
How much do tow truck drivers make?
Let’s take a look at the average salaries and hourly wages for tow truck drivers in each state:
Average Tow Truck Driver Salary by State in 2022
| State | Average Annual Salary for Tow Truck Drivers | Average Hourly Wage for Tow Truck Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,179 | $17.87 |
| Alaska | $55,099 | $26.49 |
| Arizona | $38,839 | $18.67 |
| Arkansas | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| California | $47,508 | $22.84 |
| Colorado | $43,589 | $20.96 |
| Connecticut | $48,783 | $23.45 |
| Delaware | $44,913 | $21.59 |
| Florida | $39,614 | $19.05 |
| Georgia | $39,797 | $19.13 |
| Hawaii | $34,297 | $16.49 |
| Idaho | $40,896 | $19.66 |
| Illinois | $45,473 | $21.86 |
| Indiana | $45,105 | $21.69 |
| Iowa | $45,248 | $21.75 |
| Kansas | $41,842 | $20.12 |
| Kentucky | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Louisiana | $32,205 | $15.48 |
| Maine | $47,778 | $22.97 |
| Maryland | $46,688 | $22.45 |
| Massachusetts | $53,058 | $25.51 |
| Michigan | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Minnesota | $54,137 | $26.03 |
| Mississippi | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| Missouri | $43,423 | $20.88 |
| Montana | $43,678 | $21.00 |
| Nebraska | $42,691 | $20.52 |
| Nevada | $46,231 | $22.23 |
| New Hampshire | $42,190 | $20.28 |
| New Jersey | $47,471 | $22.82 |
| New Mexico | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| New York | $49,206 | $23.66 |
| North Carolina | $41,798 | $20.10 |
| North Dakota | $49,431 | $23.76 |
| Ohio | $41,086 | $19.75 |
| Oklahoma | $36,949 | $17.76 |
| Oregon | $42,441 | $20.40 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,861 | $21.09 |
| Rhode Island | $53,085 | $25.52 |
| South Carolina | $41,248 | $19.83 |
| South Dakota | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Tennessee | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Texas | $37,221 | $17.89 |
| Utah | $39,477 | $18.98 |
| Vermont | $46,981 | $22.59 |
| Virginia | $43,793 | $21.05 |
| Washington | $53,137 | $25.55 |
| Washington, D.C. | $46,494 | $22.35 |
| West Virginia | $34,699 | $16.68 |
| Wisconsin | $45,019 | $21.64 |
| Wyoming | $44,464 | $21.38 |
As you can see in the table above, tow truck drivers don’t make a particularly large salary. Therefore, tips are greatly appreciated for their hard work.
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How much does it cost to get your car towed?
The average cost to tow a car will vary based on your location, the time of day, the type of vehicle that needs to be towed, and how far you need to be towed. However, the base towing fee is typically between $35 and $100, which may include the first 5-7 miles. If you need to be towed further, expect to pay an additional $2.50 to $7.00 per mile.
If you need to be towed after a collision, expect to pay even higher rates, since there are additional costs that come with towing a damaged vehicle. In addition, if your vehicle is stuck, expect to pay between $50 and $250 more for using a winch to pull you out.
If you’re worried about the cost of towing services in an emergency, your best option is to have towing or roadside assistance coverage with your auto insurance company. Enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to find an affordable auto insurance policy that includes roadside assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you tip tow truck drivers?
Tipping tow truck drivers is not a universal practice, and it is not typically expected or required. However, if you feel the tow truck driver provided exceptional service or went above and beyond their duty, you may choose to tip them as a gesture of appreciation.
How much should I tip a tow truck driver?
If you decide to tip a tow truck driver, the amount is discretionary and entirely up to you. There are no set guidelines or expectations regarding the specific amount to tip. You may consider factors such as the quality of service, difficulty of the situation, and your own budget when determining the tip amount.
When is it appropriate to tip a tow truck driver?
Tipping a tow truck driver is typically appropriate in situations where the driver has provided exceptional service, demonstrated professionalism, or helped you in a particularly challenging or stressful situation. It’s a personal decision based on your satisfaction with the service received.
Are there any other ways to show appreciation to a tow truck driver without tipping?
Yes, there are alternative ways to show appreciation to a tow truck driver without tipping. Some options include:
- Providing positive feedback: If you are pleased with the service you received, take a moment to express your gratitude and provide positive feedback to the tow truck driver’s company. This can be done through phone calls, online reviews, or testimonials.
- Referring their service: If you know someone who needs towing services, you can recommend the tow truck driver or their company. Word-of-mouth referrals can be valuable for service providers.
- Writing a thank-you note: A simple thank-you note expressing your appreciation for the tow truck driver’s assistance can go a long way. It’s a thoughtful gesture that acknowledges their efforts.
What if the tow truck driver works for an AAA or roadside assistance program?
If the tow truck driver works for an AAA or roadside assistance program, tipping may not be necessary or expected. These programs often have specific guidelines and policies regarding tipping, and the drivers may not accept tips. However, if you feel the driver went above and beyond or provided exceptional service, you can inquire with the program about their tipping policy or consider other forms of appreciation, such as providing feedback or writing a thank-you note.
Should I tip a tow truck driver if my insurance is covering the cost of the tow?
Tipping a tow truck driver is typically a personal decision and not directly related to whether insurance is covering the cost of the tow. While insurance coverage may pay for the tow service, if you feel the tow truck driver provided outstanding service or assistance, you may still choose to tip them separately as a token of appreciation.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.