How to choose a vehicle recovery service you can trust

Ask about insurance

A recovery driver should have goods-in-transit (or 'motor trade road risks') cover for the vehicle they're carrying, as well as insurance for the truck itself. Without it, if your car is damaged on the way, you may struggle to get anything back. Ask to see it — a genuine operator won't mind.

Make sure the truck suits your vehicle

• Electric cars and most automatics shouldn't be towed with their wheels on the road; they need a flatbed or dollies.
• 4x4s and heavy vehicles need a truck that can carry the weight legally.
• Lowered cars need a low-angle ramp or a tilt-and-slide bed.
• If you want to travel with the vehicle, check how many passenger seats the truck has.

Get the price agreed first

Agree the full price before the driver sets off, including any extras for waiting, winching or out-of-hours work. Be wary of paying a stranger in full up front by bank transfer — there's little you can do if they don't turn up.

Insist on photos

Ask the driver to photograph the vehicle from every side when they collect it and again when they drop it off. Time-stamped photos settle most damage disagreements in minutes.

How Recovry helps

Every Recovry driver's licence, insurance and truck are checked before they can take a job. You see their price, rating and truck before you choose, your money is held until delivery, and pickup and drop-off photos are taken on every job.