Tow It: A New, Transparent Way to Get Roadside Assistance in Ireland

Industry, Product · 2025-09-03

Tow It: A New, Transparent Way to Get Roadside Assistance in Ireland
Tow It: A New, Transparent Way to Get Roadside Assistance in Ireland
Product Introduction

Tow It: A New, Transparent Way to Get Roadside Assistance in Ireland

On-demand help, verified operators, clear pricing — no memberships required.

Reading time: ~6–8 min Updated: 3 September 2025

Why now: the Irish market in numbers

Ireland has a large and resilient roadside assistance demand. There were over 2.3 million registered passenger cars in 2022, according to Statista (source). Over the years, the industry’s dominant provider has consistently reported ~120k–130k breakdown attendances annually (Irish Independent).

Dublin commuter traffic at dusk
Urban density concentrates demand in Greater Dublin.
Illustrative chart of annual breakdown attendances
Annual breakdowns remain high year over year.
Tow It live map mockup showing a truck en route
Real-time tracking helps set accurate expectations.

What’s broken with breakdowns

  • Fragmentation: hundreds of small operators with limited online presence.
  • Friction: phone calls, uncertain ETAs, unclear prices.
  • Inflexibility: memberships some drivers will rarely use.
“Paying a full year for a service you might need once doesn’t fit how many of us drive today.”

Note: insurers often bundle assistance (e.g., Aviva Breakdown Rescue), but delivery is sub-contracted and experiences can vary by region and traffic conditions.

How Tow It works

Tow It connects drivers to nearby, verified operators. You see an ETA and an upfront price before confirming.

Phone requesting assistance with pickup and drop-off
Request in seconds: set pickup, destination, vehicle details.
Operator assigned with name and ETA
Real-time match: the closest suitable operator accepts your job.
Live map tracking the tow truck on its way
Track live: watch the truck approach on the map.
Secure payment confirmation screen
Transparent payment: pay securely — no surprises.

On-demand models emerged in Ireland years ago (see early coverage of a local towing app in TechBuzzIreland). Tow It advances this concept with modern pricing, verification, and UX.

How we compare

Option How you pay Pros Considerations
Traditional Memberships (e.g., AA Ireland) Annual subscription (from ~€7.50/mo) Nationwide 24/7; high in-situ fix rate; brand familiarity (source) Pay even if you don’t use; instant call-outs for non-members can be costly (context)
Insurance Add-Ons (e.g., Aviva Breakdown Rescue) Included in premium Convenience; integrated with your policy (source) Delivery via third parties; response times may vary by location and traffic
Tow It (On-Demand) Pay-per-use Transparent pricing; verified operators; real-time tracking; no membership required Best experience when location sharing is enabled and details are accurate

Safety, regulation & trust

All roadside assistance must follow Irish road safety rules and towing guidelines. For example, the RSA specifies limits and precautions when towing a broken-down vehicle (RSA guidance). Tow It works with licensed, insured operators and captures post-service ratings to maintain quality.

  • Verified providers: licence and insurance checks.
  • Clear paperwork: digital receipts and service details.
  • Data privacy: GDPR-aligned handling of personal data.

EV note: “running out of charge” call-outs have been trending lower in recent UK data, as infrastructure and driver habits improve (Ireland-Live/AA), but common issues (tyres, 12V batteries) remain.

Who benefits: drivers & operators

For drivers

  • Price shown upfront — decide before you commit.
  • Track your help on the map; share ETA if needed.
  • No annual lock-ins — pay only when you need it.

For operators

  • More jobs without paying for leads in advance.
  • Digital reputation through ratings and reviews.
  • Fast, secure payments and clear job details.

Ready when you are

Whether you’re stuck in the city or just need a vehicle moved, Tow It gives you clarity and control. See your price, confirm, and watch help arrive.

Sources

  1. Statista — Registered passenger cars in Ireland: link
  2. Irish Independent — “Similar number of car breakdowns reported…”: link
  3. AA Ireland — Membership & coverage: link
  4. Aviva Ireland — Breakdown Rescue cover: link
  5. RSA — Towing a broken-down vehicle (safety guidance): link
  6. Ireland-Live (AA data) — EV “out of power” breakdowns at record low: link
  7. TechBuzzIreland — Early Irish on-demand towing app coverage: link