Tow or On-site Assistance — Which Do You Need?
**If the car can drive on its own after a short intervention, on-site assistance is sufficient — and it is usually cheaper than a towing service.**
Call +372 5610 1515 — the dispatcher will decide based on your description and tell you the price during the call.
Decision Table
| Symptom | Likely Solution | Does the car drive on its own? |
|---|---|---|
| Lights dim, starter rotates slowly | Jump start | Yes, mostly |
| Interior lights left on overnight | Jump start | Yes |
| Flat tire, spare wheel available | Tire change | Yes |
| Tire burst, sidewall cut | Tow | No |
| Ran out of fuel | Fuel delivery | Yes |
| Filled with wrong fuel | Tow, do not start | No |
| Keys locked in car | Door unlocking | Yes |
| One loud click, engine does not turn | Tow | No |
| Car in ditch, chassis intact | Recovery | Usually yes |
| Red warning light, engine sounds strange | Tow | Should not |
| Liquid leaking onto the ground | Tow | No |
| Traffic accident, damage | Tow | No |
| Car does not move when putting in gear | Tow | No |
Four Rules the Dispatcher Uses to Decide
1. Is the fault in the fuel system or mechanics. A dead battery, a flat tire, and running out of fuel are 'rechargeable' faults — these are resolved on-site. Starter, gearbox, clutch, and drivetrain are mechanical and require a workshop.
2. Will continuing to drive cause more damage. This is the most important rule. A red warning light, coolant or oil leak, strange noise from the drivetrain — in each case, driving three kilometers will be more expensive than towing. See what to do if your car breaks down.
3. Is the car in a safe place. If the car is on a bridge, in a tunnel, on a bend, or on a narrow shoulder, it will be towed even if the fault itself could be resolved on-site. Safety takes precedence over cost.
4. Will the on-site attempt succeed. Some cases are borderline: the operator tries on-site, and if it doesn't work, they will tow it. In such a case, the dispatcher will tell you both prices upfront during the call, so you are not surprised.
Why We Try to Avoid Towing
At first glance, this seems to work against business. In reality, it doesn't: a case resolved on-site takes less time, frees up the operator for the next call, and leaves you with a working car. The only one who always wins from towing is a company that sells towing without considering whether it's necessary.
That's why the dispatcher asks three questions — location, vehicle, what happened — before recommending anything, and that's why they tell you the price before dispatch.
Price
On-site assistance — jump-start, tire service, fuel delivery, door unlocking — is usually cheaper than a towing service. We do not give a specific number, as it depends on the service and location; the dispatcher will tell you the exact amount during the call.
Towing service starts at 65 € in Tallinn city center and 75 € in Harjumaa. Night and weekend surcharge is 0 €. Full model: towing service price.
Frequently asked questions
Is on-site assistance cheaper than towing?+
Yes, as a rule, it is. The dispatcher will tell you the exact amount during the call, before dispatch.
How do I know if I need a tow?+
Don't decide yourself. Describe to the dispatcher what happened, and they will tell you.
Are you trying to sell me a tow?+
Quite the opposite. If the issue can be resolved on-site, it's faster and cheaper for us too.
What if on-site assistance fails?+
Then we will tow the car away. We will tell you both prices already during the call.
Can I decide myself that I want a tow immediately?+
Yes. Your car, your decision — the dispatcher will arrange it.
Where to next
See also
The dispatcher answers immediately and sends the nearest helper.