Whether it’s because of a road accident or failure to pay your car note, there are few things that are worse in life than getting your car towed. Although car towing is simply unavoidable in some circumstances, it doesn’t have to be a fact of life. In fact there are a number ways in which drivers can avoid an inconvenient run in with towing services.

Here’s what you can do to avoid having a car towed:

Park responsibly

One of the most common reasons why people get their cars towed is because they park in restricted areas. Many businesses and housing complexes rely on 24/7 towing services to remove unauthorized vehicles. Unless you have permission, such as a pass or a sticker, don’t take the risk of parking in a towing zone, especially if you plan on parking there for an extended period of time. Pay attention to restricted parking signs, and when in doubt, always err on the side of caution if help isn’t available.

Pay your parking tickets

Everyone has a lot of bills, but not everyone pays them! Although some billers offer a grace period of sorts, you should never procrastinate when it comes to paying your city parking violations. You can avoid them entirely by parking responsibly, feeding your meter, and paying close attention to parking signs. But at one time or another, it seems that everyone gets a parking ticket. After a number of unpaid parking tickets, city parking authorities are well within their right to boot and tow your car at any time. The rules are the rules, but you can rule out the hassle of having to deal with city towing services by paying your parking tickets.

Pay your car note too

Sometimes car buyers underestimate their ability to make their monthly car payment, or they even fall on hard times and find it difficult to meet their financial obligations. If you are experiencing any kind of difficulty when it comes to making your car payment, be sure to communicate this with your loan lender immediately. Never make the mistake of assuming the problem will simply go away. This will only make things worse and put you at risk of suffering the embarrassment of getting your car repossessed.

Dealing with automotive towing can be frustrating, especially when it takes you off guard. Luckily, there are several simple ways drivers can avoid the frustration of a surprise tow.