It’s a common question we get from drivers across Benton Harbor, Saint Joseph, Paw Paw, and nearby Michigan towns: “Do I have to be there when you tow my car?” The answer is — not always. But there are a few things you need to know to make sure the tow goes smoothly, legally, and without delay. At Arndt’s Auto Towing, we’ve handled thousands of vehicle tows — from apartment complexes to remote ditches. Whether you’re stuck at work, out of town, or just don’t feel safe waiting on the roadside, here’s what matters most when it comes to your presence during a tow.
When You Should Be Present for a Tow
There are times when being on-site helps us do the job faster and safer. For example:
- If your vehicle is locked – We’ll need access to shift it into neutral or disengage the parking brake, especially with wheel-lift towing.
- If your car is blocking traffic or private property – Police, property owners, or management may need your presence or permission to release the vehicle.
- If documents or items need to be removed – If you’ve got important documents, tools, or valuables inside, we recommend you’re there to grab them before the tow.
- If the vehicle needs to go to a specific location – You can provide us the drop-off address over the phone, but being present avoids any confusion.
We always aim to make towing easy — but your presence is helpful in these cases.
When You Don’t Need to Be Present
In many cases, especially with modern equipment and experienced drivers, we can tow your vehicle without you there. You don’t need to be present if:
- The vehicle is unlocked and accessible
- You’ve given us prior instructions
- You’ve already spoken to our dispatcher and confirmed details
- The keys are left in a secure, agreed-upon location
- It’s a scheduled roadside assistance or car towing call
We understand life doesn’t pause just because your car broke down. That’s why we often help customers remotely.
How to Schedule a Tow Without Being There
Want to have your car towed while you’re at work, away, or unavailable? Here’s how we do it:
- Call or request service online — Let our team know your situation.
- Provide vehicle details — Year, make, model, license plate.
- Tell us the location and pickup/drop-off address.
- Let us know how to access the vehicle — Is it unlocked? Where are the keys?
- Provide payment details (we accept secure payments remotely).
- We’ll update you with photos or confirmation after the tow is complete.
Need a fast solution? Start by contacting us now.
Legal and Safety Considerations
In Michigan, there are no laws that say you must be physically present for a private towing request — but the property owner’s permission or access instructions must be clear. That said, here’s what you should always avoid:
- Leaving the vehicle inaccessible (locked with the parking brake on)
- Providing incorrect location info
- Ghosting us after we arrive with no contact or key instructions
We want to help, not waste time. The more you communicate, the easier it is for us to assist — with or without you there.
Our Promise to You
Whether you’re there or not, our team will handle your vehicle with care. We offer flatbed towing, light-duty towing, and even battery jump-starts — 24/7. We’ll never damage your car, drag it improperly, or leave it somewhere unsafe. Our trained drivers know how to follow the right towing method based on your vehicle’s needs and condition.
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Final Thoughts
So, do you need to be present when we tow your car? Not always. If the car’s accessible and we’ve talked through the details, we’ve got it handled — with or without you standing there. At Arndt’s Auto Towing, we’re proud to serve drivers all across Southwest Michigan with honest, safe, and reliable towing. Need help right now? Reach out to our team — we’re ready to roll.