If you're involved in an accident that damages your car, then you may need a towing company's help. At this stage, you'll also have to decide what to do with your vehicle — the tow truck has to take it somewhere, after all.

What are your options?

Send the Car to a Mechanic

If you can, it often makes the most sense to have your car towed straight to the mechanic who will assess and repair it. This is a direct process that won't involve extra tows, costs or time.

Even if you don't have towing benefits in your car insurance policy, it's a good idea to call your insurance provider before you decide where to send the car. They may have preferred mechanics that they want you to use after an accident. Or, they may have a list of recommended local mechanics if you don't have one.

If your insurer doesn't dictate where your car needs to go, then you can have it towed to your own preferred mechanic. Or, you can call family and friends and ask for recommendations.

Have the Car Towed Home

If you're close to home when you have your accident and aren't sure which mechanic to use, then you can simply opt to have your car towed to your home. This can also be a useful option if you know a mobile mechanic who can come out to look at the damage.

Remember that this only really works if you have a driveway or designated parking space where the car can go. This option may also increase your costs. You'll have to pay for the initial tow and any later costs if you need to have the car taken to a garage.

Use the Towing Company's Site

Many tow companies offer secure storage on their site for people who have problems finding the best place to take their vehicles. Here, the tow truck driver would take your car to their site. It can stay there until you arrange to have it delivered somewhere else or picked up.

While this is a good solution in the short-term if you have no other options, it will again increase your costs. It's important to check how much you will have to pay for storing your vehicle until you decide what to do with it. This may not cost much in the short term; however, storage costs could rise if you don't move quickly.

To find out more about your options, ask accident towing specialists for advice.