Our promise to you
The Sentinel Stay-With-You Promise
A sentinel keeps watch. That's our job from the moment you call until help arrives. Here are the seven promises that come with every tow and roadside call, with the fine print right under each one.
The seven promises
We stay with you. From your call until the truck arrives, we check on you by text.
See your driver before they arrive. You get their name, photo and truck by text, and you can track your truck on a map.
Your family knows too. Give us one number, and we text them your location and arrival time.
Photo-protected tow. Before hookup, your driver photographs all 4 sides of your vehicle. We text you the photos.
Price locked by text. You get your price by text before we dispatch. That price is the most you pay for the job. If the job changes, we text a new price first and you decide.
Never stranded after. Ride along in the truck when it's safe and allowed, or we help you get a ride. We also point you to a good repair shop.
Free Sentinel Circle. After your first job, your vehicle is on file. Next time, just text "TOW" for priority dispatch.
Why we made it
Breakdowns Are Scary Because of the Unknowns
A dead car on the side of the road is a hassle. What makes it scary is everything you can't see. Who is coming? When? Is that truck even the one I called? What will this cost when it's over? Where do I go after?
Each promise answers one of those questions. None of them make the truck drive faster. They make the wait something you can see, and the bill something you already know.
- "Someone will be there soon," then nothing for an hour.
- A truck shows up, and you're not sure it's yours.
- The price on the phone isn't the price on the bill.
- Your car comes off the truck with a new scratch.
- The tow leaves, and you're still stuck on the curb.
We Stay With You
From your call until the truck arrives, we check on you by text.
How it works
Once your job is set, check-in texts start. They tell you where things stand, and they ask if you're still OK. Reply anytime. If something changes, text us. Maybe you moved to a safer spot, or someone you don't know stopped and you feel uneasy.
The fine print
- Texts need your OK. Say yes on the call, or tick the box on our online form. No texts? We'll check in by phone.
- We're not an emergency service. If you're hurt or in danger, call 911 first.
See Your Driver Before They Arrive
You get their name, photo and truck by text, and you can track your truck on a map.
How it works
When a partner takes your job, their driver fills in a driver card through our job link. We text it to you. Your tracking link opens a map in your web browser. It shows where your truck is and when it should reach you.
The fine print
- The map updates as your driver moves. It isn't second-by-second. If the driver's phone loses signal, you'll see the last spot we got and a fresh arrival time.
- Arrival times are our best estimate. Traffic and weather can change them, and we'll text you when they do.
- See the whole thing on the track your truck page.
Your Family Knows Too
Give us one number, and we text them your location and arrival time.
How it works
On the call, give us the number of one person you want kept in the loop. A partner, a parent, a friend. We text them where you are and when help should reach you. That's one less call you have to make with a low battery.
The fine print
- Only give us a number you have permission to share.
- We text that person about your job only, and they can reply STOP anytime.
- We never use their number for marketing.
Photo-Protected Tow
Before hookup, your driver photographs all 4 sides of your vehicle. We text you the photos.
How it works
Front, back, driver side, passenger side. The photos come to us through the job link, and we send them to you. Keep them. If something looks different when your car comes off the truck, you have a record of how it went on.
The fine print
- This promise is for tows, when your car is hooked up and moved.
- Safety comes first. If your car sits in a live lane, the driver may move it to a safe spot, then take the photos.
- Every partner carries insurance. If there's damage, the partner's insurer handles the claim, and we help you through it.
Price Locked by Text
You get your price by text before we dispatch. If the bill is higher, you pay the texted price.
How it works
On the call, we get your location, your vehicle, what went wrong and where it should go. We text you the price. You say yes. Only then do we send a truck. Every partner agrees to honor the price we texted you.
The fine print
- The locked price covers the job you described. If the job changes, like a new drop-off spot or a jump that turns into a tow, we text you a new price first.
- You can say yes or no to any change. Nothing extra is added without your OK by text.
- You pay Sentinel, not the driver. If a driver asks you for money, don't pay. Text us. If a charge doesn't match your price text, we sort it out with the partner.
Never Stranded After
Ride along in the truck when it's safe and allowed, or we help you get a ride. We also point you to a good repair shop.
How it works
Tell us on the call how many people need a ride, and if there are kids or pets. Tow trucks have limited seats, and some jobs can't take riders. If you can't ride along, we help you line up a ride before the truck leaves. Need a repair shop? We'll point you to one near where your car is going. The choice is always yours.
The fine print
- The driver has the final say on riders, for safety and local rules.
- Helping you get a ride means we help you find and book one. It doesn't mean the ride is free.
Free Sentinel Circle
After your first job, your vehicle is on file. Next time, just text "TOW" for priority dispatch.
How it works
After your first job, we keep your vehicle's year, make, model and color on file. Next time you're stuck, text TOW to 1-888-TOW-1213. We start with what we already know, and your job moves to the front of our line.
The fine print
- It's free, and you don't have to sign up for anything.
- Priority means we handle your request first. It can't change how far away the nearest truck is.
- Want your details deleted? Just ask. See our privacy policy.
Who keeps the promise
We Make the Promise. Partners Agree to It.
Sentinel Towing is a network. The tow companies that do the work are independent local businesses. Before their first job, each one agrees in writing to the parts of this promise that happen at the roadside.
Tow companies can read the full list on our partner page.
- The locked pricePartners honor the price we texted you. Any change goes through us, and through you, first.
- The driver card and trackingPartners send the driver's name, photo, truck and location through our job link.
- The 4 photosPartners photograph all four sides before hookup and send them through the same link.
- Your number stays yoursPartners may call you about your job. They never get your text consent, and they can't market to you.
Questions
Questions About the Promise
Does the promise cost extra?
No. It isn't an add-on. It comes with every tow and roadside call we take.
Is the promise the same for every service?
Almost. The check-ins, driver card, family text, locked price, ride help and Sentinel Circle come with every call. The 4-side photos are for tows, since that's when your car is hooked up and moved.
What if the partner doesn't keep a promise?
Text us or call 1-888-TOW-1213. We'll take it up with the partner. If the bill is higher than your texted price, you pay the texted price.
Seven promises, one call
Stuck? We'll Keep Watch Until You're Safe.
Our line answers 24/7 across the US and Canada. Your price is locked by text before we send anyone.