Tow Professional Podcast
Steering Through the Towing Industry: Steve Richardson's Journey in Tow Truck Rentals and Insurance Policies
Join us for an enlightening encounter as we unravel the thrilling life of Steve Richardson, founder of Wrecker Rentals. As one of the most passionate vendors for the Tow Professional Magazine, Steve possesses a wealth of knowledge on the towing industry and the significant role insurance companies play in this sector. Buckle up as we explore how this trailblazer started the Rec Rentals business, the types of towing records he offers, and his coverage from Rhode Island to Oklahoma. His journey to success is nothing short of inspiring.
The conversation gears up as we shift into rental vehicle insurance coverage and the discounts Steve offers for longer rentals. Get ready to learn how his website, an innovative resource, aids those requiring towing repairs, navigating the often complex interactions with insurance companies. Plus, we get a sneak peek into Steve’s tow truck body shop, an invaluable resource for all minor repairs. You wouldn’t want to miss this!
As we steer towards the end, Steve recounts the captivating story of the "Repo Queen of Long Island" and the hurdles insurance companies can pose during the process. His emphasis on maintaining a strong reputation and brand is invaluable for any aspiring renter. Before we close, we take a moment of gratitude for Steve’s insights and a prayer for protection over Israel, our country, and the world. I encourage you all to keep tuning into the Professional on the Go Podcast for more enlightening discussions.
Join us for an enlightening encounter as we unravel the thrilling life of Steve Richardson, founder of Wrecker Rentals. As one of the most passionate vendors for the Tow Professional Magazine, Steve possesses a wealth of knowledge on the towing industry and the significant role insurance companies play in this sector. Buckle up as we explore how this trailblazer started the Rec Rentals business, the types of towing records he offers, and his coverage from Rhode Island to Oklahoma. His journey to success is nothing short of inspiring.
The conversation gears up as we shift into rental vehicle insurance coverage and the discounts Steve offers for longer rentals. Get ready to learn how his website, an innovative resource, aids those requiring towing repairs, navigating the often complex interactions with insurance companies. Plus, we get a sneak peek into Steve’s tow truck body shop, an invaluable resource for all minor repairs. You wouldn’t want to miss this!
As we steer towards the end, Steve recounts the captivating story of the "Repo Queen of Long Island" and the hurdles insurance companies can pose during the process. His emphasis on maintaining a strong reputation and brand is invaluable for any aspiring renter. Before we close, we take a moment of gratitude for Steve’s insights and a prayer for protection over Israel, our country, and the world. I encourage you all to keep tuning into the Professional on the Go Podcast for more enlightening discussions.
Welcome one and all to the Toe Professional Podcast. Remember, this is your podcast. It's for the pros that have a need to know, that are on the go. I'm your, really your co-host, bj Harrington, and this podcast is totally the voice of the Toe industry. And the other co-host, and a good friend of mine, is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, the one and only Darren Weaver. Darren, how are you today?
Speaker 2:BJ, I tell you I am fantastic. We got a little bit of cool weather in the air down here in Alabama. It's a great day. I'm just happy to be here and I'm excited about this show. We've got Steve Richardson on here, rekker Reynolds, and let me tell you this is going to be a good one. Guys, if you've had a problem with your record being down, you've had somebody hit it. It's out of service and you need something to get out there and get those toes. If you haven't called Rekker Reynolds, you're backing up. So, steve, we are so happy to have you on today, sir.
Speaker 3:I appreciate it. Mr Hill President, how are you? I am fantastic.
Speaker 2:Boy. He always builds me up like I run something. I'm just over here like everybody else trying to keep my head above water.
Speaker 1:Hey Darren, I think we need to have a disclaimer to all of our listeners that this might be the wildest podcast we have ever done. Steve Richardson is a character of characters who at one time was a radio host back in his summer days, so beware of this podcast. That is a word of caution. That sounds like age discrimination, but I'm not sure this is actually Steve. We archive all of these podcasts and I guarantee this will be the one that they'll go back and listen to again.
Speaker 2:And again I'm going to get.
Speaker 2:Well, I want to ask the first question, dj, and I tell you, I want to tell our listeners a little bit about Steve. Steve was one of the guys that bought in with Toe Professional from day one. Listening to my story, he bought in and has been a passionate lawyer vendor to Toe Professional for many years. He was at the Southern Toe Expo and supported us there many years and just somebody that is very passionate about this industry. And, steve, I know who you are, but I want you to tell us, our listeners, tell us, a little bit about your background, who you are and why you started Recurrentals.
Speaker 3:Well, we started back in 2014. The biggest and I appreciate you guys having me Let me start with that. But we started in 2014,. And there's a gentleman down the street here that had one and his church were old and aging and kind of fallen apart, that he was renting and a buddy of mine come up and kind of taught me into it how it got started and then we just took off from there. And then the other gentleman I'm speaking to, he sold out, he retired and sold out. He was probably in the 70s or 80s and he sold out. So we just kind of picked up a slack from there and at the time when we started we were the only commercial Recurrentals place out there. Now I understand that there's one up north and maybe one in Oklahoma doing it, but back then we were it. So that's pretty much how we got started. Somebody taught me into it. We went and bought some trucks and fired off Recurrentals.
Speaker 2:So you certainly saw a need of it, watching your neighbor down the street that was renting them and I take it figured, if he can rent those raggedy ones, I can do a lot better with a quality truck and being able to get them out there to everybody.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and what we found too is that the insurance companies, what a lot of guys are doing and I don't blame them, they go over to the next door to their buddy or their friend and they had an extra tow truck sitting out there and they they'd play the game and rent the ad on paper or do whatever. But a lot of guys, these insurance companies are, you know, kind of really messing them around. And you know, if you, you got two choices either you can rent a truck and they'll pay for the rental and keep you in business, or they'll pay you for your receipts. You know they play a big game with these receipts. You know you got to show how much you've done with that truck and it's just a just a big nightmare. So we, you know, we find it easier. They rent a truck and insurance company pays for it and they go do what they got to do and keep going.
Speaker 2:Exactly. I think that's fantastic. Well, dj, I'll let you take the next one. Sir, you got it Now.
Speaker 1:Steve, our listeners are sitting there listening to you and they're saying, okay, he has a Southern accent, what states does he rent in and what type of records? If they didn't go to your website, there will be after they listen to the spot guests. But what states you're in and what type of records do you have?
Speaker 3:Well, we're located here in the Metro Atlanta Georgia area. We're right here by Atlanta Motor Speedway in the South of Atlanta. But we've gone as far, as far north as Rhode Island and I think we've gone as far west and we'll lie to you and tell you I know we've been in Texas. I want to say we were in Oklahoma. We've had people call in California stuff that was a little too far for them and they only wanted for a day or two. So we're far north as Rhode Island, as far as we've been so far, and as far west, I want to tell you Oklahoma.
Speaker 3:And the longest rental we had, I want to tell you, was four months, I don't know. So we had one that was out. And as far as what we rent, we just went rollbacks and auto loaders and the reason we do that is the heavy trucks. You know people, anytime somebody goes and rents a car or whatever, you know they kind of push it to the limit and see what that car will do, right. So we don't want to go rent somebody a 25 ton wreck or something and then try to go pick up you know 100,000 pounds and bend a boom or something like that and have a big insurance claim. I'll tell you a little story and it goes back to Alabama.
Speaker 3:There's a TV show I don't know if it's still on it's called Swamp People. They had an old boy down there that had a record and I can't remember his name. Well, his truck was down and it was old. It was a little farm truck and I guess it's probably the best way to describe it, but it was down. So he rented the record and this thing was brand new. It had 300 miles on it and when it came back it looked like it went through a cheese grater.
Speaker 3:It was like what in the world. So we called and talked to him and he was trying to do all this funky stuff, trying to explain to us. He says, well, what should I have done different? Of course, now my wife, who owns all this, she runs a rotator and she was trying to explain it to him. He was trying to dismiss her because she was a woman, was kind of upset her, but anyway, he didn't know anything about using snatch blocks or any kind of rig and all he knew was to drag it up on the side. And he was. He was a mess, but yeah, that's one of the rougher ones we've had down there in.
Speaker 3:Alabama. It was on TV. But yeah, to answer your question, we've got a couple of rollbacks in the fleet and we've got the one auto loader we bought from the tow show one year Dynamic.
Speaker 1:So, depending on what limit of time they needed, if they need it for a couple of weeks or a couple of, but you've rented it like four months, so that's, that's.
Speaker 3:that's yes, sir we have one went to Ohio and it was. It was up there for four months and what we found, especially during COVID, was people were having a hard time getting parts and pieces and stuff. But usually what happens is it's the limit of whoever whoever hits the record or causes the damage, it's usually the limits of their, their insurance. Most folks have liability, so usually it's about a $25,000 limit. So it gets you, you know, a month and a half or so but depending on the insurance and and the status of the damage, damage equipment and yeah, that's, we got it. We got a three day minimum, you know, just to make it worthwhile.
Speaker 3:It's not we get a lot of people call them move, move their personal call or move their storage shed or something, but when you rent a record you also. You got to have the auto coverage insurance right. You got to have towing insurance and we've got a hard and fast rule. You got to be at least in the total business a year. You know to qualify. We don't rent them out just to the average Joe. You know like budget, rental or Hertz or whatever we got. We got rules too.
Speaker 1:Well, darren, before we take our break, what I wanted to remind all of our listeners we're gonna take a fast break of. When we come back after break, folks, darren and I are gonna ask Steve some more questions about vehicles being down and the reason why reimbursement through an insurance company or a Necessary rental procedure and what we need. So hang with us, we'll be right back after your short message.
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Speaker 1:You have been listening to tow professional on-the-go podcast. Each and every week we bring you new informative episodes like this one with Steve Richardson. Make sure you download and listen. We're available now on Spotify, itunes, pandora, google Play, stitcher, iheart Media, amazon over Ever. You get your podcast now without further ado. I'm gonna hand it over to my co-host, darren Weaver. And watch out for Steve now.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll tell you the the next one I want you to explain before we get into the, the reason why it's so important to Redirector. When your vehicles down or you have a Supply chain parts, what is? I did one ass. I've seen you do offer discounts when somebody's winning for a longer time soon. Do you offer discounts when it's a weekly or monthly? Is there different levels there?
Speaker 3:Oh, yeah, well, what we do, you know, a lot of times Some of these record services are just down for maintenance or whatever and insurance isn't paying the bill. So they pay out of pocket. So we try to offer them if they, if they pay up front, we give them a 10% discount for a weekly rental, and if they pay for a month up front, we give them 20%. So we try to, we try to help them out if we can.
Speaker 2:Man, that was fantastic. And guys, let me remind you, steve is somebody here that's a part of tra, part of pwf, part of track, somebody that believes in their associations and has a passion behind this industry, and I think that's why he pushes so hard to To help out those when they need it. So such a such a worthy business and and helpful. I, like you said during COVID man, I'm sure it helped out tremendously for a lot of folks. Well, dj, I'm gonna turn the the the next question over to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Darren, you know, I've looked at his website and folks, it's referentals. You go, you know, on the website and it tells you one of the things. Steve, I even looked up your tow truck body shop so you have a truck tow truck body shop right there. So if you need, you know, repair or frame repair that kind of stuff, you do that also. But here's my question If an owner is using this to replace a down vehicle, something that has happened Can it be reimbursed through an insurance company?
Speaker 3:Well, again, it depends, right, If it's an account. If they put gas in a diesel truck, then certainly not right. But it depends on what kind of insurance the guy's carrying. But mostly what we do I'll say 90% of what we do is rent to the toer through the insurance company, right? So what we do is we get a letter of authorization from the insurance company. We do everything in writing so it protects the toer and it protects us. We make the insurance company put everything in writing and they'll give them, let's say, seven days up front and at day six we'll call hey, did you extend it? Yeah, give us three more days. And we'll keep calling until they say, no, it's gonna be done Friday. Send me a bill, we'll get through Friday. So we work hand in hand with the insurance companies there.
Speaker 3:But it all depends on how everybody knows these insurance companies. Anybody in the towing business knows, for God's sakes, you know we. We got four rotators and we run a heavy recovery here. But if you don't have a gaggle of attorneys you're not in business anymore. It's just ridiculous. But yeah, we just all depends on that, on their insurance policies and the person to hit them with their insurance carries, and you know if they got rental or not, on their particular policies or not. So that's a pretty like playing wackermall right with these insurance companies, but that's the best way I can explain it. Every policy is different. You know if they get the coverage or not.
Speaker 1:I'm gonna say, Steve, when I looked at the website, even things that like, if you having the body shop there, it helps, because the guy that may just need a door straightened out or he needs a little bit of the bed repair, you know, all of a sudden you're there, you could help and it's you know. That's the kind of stuff that's knowledgeable of what to do.
Speaker 3:Well, we certainly try to keep everybody going, but we found through the years people will call us. Well, I've been down for two months. I wish I'd have known about you, which I don't. I don't understand because anytime there's any I got any kind of question. I just go ask Google and as soon as you do we're the only one pops up. For you know, hey, can I win a record? And it boom, it pops up. But so I don't know. You know, we've done a whole lot with Daring and we've done a whole lot at the tow shows and, like you said, and I just don't understand how the names and he's done a lot of flyers, tra's put into books and done fires for them. So we've done, we've done a lot to get the name out there. But I don't know if people are just just unaware that you can rent a record because it's kind of a niche deal really. But yeah, I don't know. We certainly, we certainly try to, you know, support the industry and keep everybody going the best we can.
Speaker 1:All right, before I go to break, I want to tell everybody you need more information. By all means, rena recordcom, but here's the phone number 770-898-1200. 770-898-1200. Okay, guys, we're going to take a fast break and we'll learn more about Steve Richardson when we come back. Ain't tight?
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Speaker 5:At Rekor Rentals, we understand time is money. If your truck is out of service due to a mechanical issue or collision, we offer rentals to keep your business in business while your asset is down. We provide short-term rentals with a three-day minimum and long-term rentals of late model light-duty records and rollback tow trucks. We distribute trucks from Atlanta and Dallas to all parts of the Southeast and we can have it delivered in as little as 24 hours. For details on how to get your rental delivered ASAP, visit our website at rentauretorcom and go to the documents page or give us a call with any questions you might have at 770-898-1200. That's 770-898-1200, and we look forward to serving you.
Speaker 1:Welcome back folks. You've been listening to Co-Professional On-the-Go Podcast. I want you to redo me a favor. If you'd like to hear another industry expert like Steve Richardson, by all means dial our hotline number right here at the Podcast Center 706-409-5603, 706-409-5603 and down, and I will do our very best to get this industry expert on the podcast so we can kind of ask some questions and, like it Steve's case, he can give us a hard time.
Speaker 2:He's got a great personality. Oh man, what I was gonna say, you know, and to to what you were saying earlier, steve, I think a lot of folks, when they look at this, I think sometimes they'll turn around and look, they'll see daily rental rates or whatever Wrecker 495, carrier 495 and not even think about it. And I mean, we just had a story the last month the repo queen of Long Island and this is a lady that works, covers NASA and so folk, and she does a hundred cars a month guaranteed. And when you're talking about that kind of revenue and that many cars, it's her key record is down. I think they're they're they're looking at the small picture instead of the big picture.
Speaker 2:And I think a lot of times, guys, you got to look at how many, how many, how much work are you doing with that current record that's down? And what is your loss if it just sits there, like the gentleman that Steve said, let it sit there too much. It's in your best interest to start digging and find somebody that's got one for you so you can put that moneymaker back out there. Am I right on that state?
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's pretty much it. You know, like I said that, because at the end of the day, especially if you got insurance claims, somebody hits you and damage, damage you and they're liable to you. I mean it, there's a lot of games and a lot of bureaucracy with these insurance companies anymore. I mean, I'll just give you an example we had. We had a rollover rec sit out here for two months. They wouldn't come look at it, they wouldn't come do anything that they wanted to look at the cargo, and we had to hire an attorney to to, you know, to get get things started with them, just just to To move process along.
Speaker 3:So you know, these insurance companies certainly aren't on the side of helping these record services out, and they all know it. I mean by the record industry. These guys are sitting on at least a third of their cars that people won't come look at, won't come get, won't Come on anything. So you know it's just a, it's really a go-rope, it's the same as what it is, but you know it's. That's the world in which we live, I guess.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly Like we said. Folks there's yeah, I know y'all said around from time to time and said, hey, I wish we had somebody that could get us a quality vehicle so we can go get that money and and keep. Not only is it a moneymaker, but also it's keeping your reputation and your branding of your company out there, because it shows that you're not down and you're still out there servicing the public. So I think that's important too. So there's there's two sides of that. But let me ask DJ, I'm gonna throw this to you and let you ask him the last question and then we'll let Steve do some parting shots here. We'll, we'll kick it over like we always do you got it, steve.
Speaker 1:Here's the question. Some of our listeners want to know what are some of the things potential Rent your knees to know. Now, I know on the website you tell them, you know, go ask under Frequently asked questions, which was a great. I mean, your website really is simple, playing right to it, and what I'm the whole time I'm looking at this is You're a toer who knows towing and it's a whole lot easier talking to you if to another fellow toer, so it makes sense that you believe so. But what are some of the things that you need to know? You know.
Speaker 3:Well, it's really not hard, like you said, it's all, it's all there on the website. But you know, the biggest thing is obviously you want to call the insurance company first, if they're the ones that's gonna end up putting the bill. So you start there and then get them our number and they'll contact us and we start to dialogue with them and, should they approve it, while they're doing their paperwork and stuff, we will get the tour. Everything he needs I was obviously we can't ensure your drivers every state's different so you have to carry your own insurance on our trucks, just like you on the truck with us as lean holder. So you have to provide insurance and.
Speaker 3:Sometimes the insurance company reimbursement use. Sometimes they say it's cost of business, you have to carry that anyway, so they won't pay it. But you know, we just like rent a car, we send it out full of fuel and you bring it back full of fuel. Now we don't leave any rigging on there, so there's no liability with rigging. So if your record's down, just you know, you take your rigging off and use your rigging. On our record we do leave the wire rope on there, a new, I wrote and and that's pretty much it. So you know you don't smoke in them. You put the right fuel in them and bring them back and and we call it a day. But it's pretty, pretty simple, straightforward.
Speaker 1:Well, it's it. I'm gonna remind all of our listeners the phone number for more information 770-898-1200. Now, steve, if there's such a thing as a parting shot, that's what. I'll ask you what is something you'd like to tell our listeners that we may not have covered, or a little bit about. You know what has been one of the best rentals that you had that you know helps to tell us.
Speaker 3:You know we've had several that own police contracts, state police, local police jurisdictions. You know we've kept them going with their local authorities there. So you know it's one big family. The Toan industry itself is just one big family. It's very dysfunctional, let's be honest about it, but at the end of the day we're still a family and we're still fighting the same fight together. So you know there's nothing really special about it, there's nothing really unique about it. You know some of the jobs we do are difficult and unique, but as a whole, the record industry itself, you know we just we've got to stick together.
Speaker 3:You know, speaking of that, my fear, my concern as an industry is where do we go when the guys my age, you know in the mid-50s, when they retire and the kids don't want to fight these fights anymore? With the municipalities, with the states, you know, with the local city, with the government? What happens to the industry? Then? Who's going to keep our roads open so we can travel? You know that's one of my biggest concerns that I see going forward. You know, and it's something I've been trying to really just to kind of figure out. So if any of your listeners have an answer to that one, I'd like to hear it because I know our, my adult kids they don't want anything to do with it. They see the fights we fight with the insurance companies, with the state, with the local authorities and all. So you know, I just don't know where we go from here, to be honest with you guys. So I guess my parting shot is you know, we just all got to kind of stick together and fight this fight together and you know, quit bickering among each other, and there's plenty of work out there for everybody. You know there's the guys that do the AAA and they're happy with that.
Speaker 3:And there's the guys like me that go do the tractor-tractor stuff, and we're happy with that. So you know, we just kind of all got to stick together and work together and pull the cart together. So quit bickering and fussing and fighting with each other. I guess would be my parting shot.
Speaker 3:But if you need anything to do? The rental yeah, please give us a call. We'll help you the best. We can Go to the website first rentarecordcom or record rentals. It all leads straight to it and you know they give out the phone number a couple of times. I appreciate that. I appreciate you all's help with it, but you know we've got to pull this train together, guys, you know that's it, I agree with you.
Speaker 2:I agree with you 100% there, steve, and I tell you, I tell our listeners, if you're going to spend your dollars with somebody, spend it with somebody that's been very loyal to the industry, that's got their heart in the industry and I'll certainly put a check mark next to Steve in Stacey's name when it comes to that and without a doubt, like you've heard on the show today, they are very knowledgeable, both of them with the ins and out of the industry, not only on the towing side but also on the insurance side, so they can help you with that. So if you've got a question, go to the website, first rentarecordcom, and then, once you've went there, you're ready. You need some help. Give them a call 770-898-1200. Dj. Anything to say before I close the file?
Speaker 1:No, I think Steve Richardson was just. I want all our listeners to know. Before we started the podcast, steve was peased in us saying don't worry, I'll handle this, but he did a great job on the podcast. He just worked for it.
Speaker 3:And I appreciate it. I guess what two large Jack and Coxe will do for you. Buddy, I'll just mill you right out.
Speaker 1:Oh, dear lord, I was doing this in the afternoon. I don't know where.
Speaker 6:Five o'clock somewhere.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but you got that right. Give me a bump, and I didn't have it. Right now, listening to you, I'm going to tell you this is the guy who supports the industry. And, steve, I'm always telling people, support those who support us. You're there at all these shows. You're there with these associations and every one of us should go to people that support our industry, and Steve Richardson, his wife Stacy and rental record dot com is the right place to be, so it was a great podcast.
Speaker 1:We're going to hand it over to you, and we need more guys like Steve Richardson in our industry, that's for sure.
Speaker 3:I see you, the folks in the state of Georgia and Georgia Department of Transportation. Some of the local authorities will probably disagree with you. I appreciate that.
Speaker 2:We appreciate you, Steve, without a doubt. Well, everyone certainly make sure you pay attention to the top professional we got our upcoming issue that'll be dropping here in the next couple of weeks. Also, follow us on Facebook. And, as always, I want to end this with a prayer.
Speaker 2:Dear Lord, I just first off I thank you and I appreciate you for what you've done for our vendors. I ask that you bless them. I ask that you help them prosper for their knowledge, their wisdom and their service to the industry. And, dear Heaven, I ask that you watch over our towers. Our first responders make sure they get to and from their home to serve others and to get back to their wives and children or their husband and children when they're out there serving. Lord and Father, I just ask you at this time also for your protection over Israel. We ask for your protection over our country. We ask for your protection over this world. We know we might think we run it, but we know it's in your hands, Lord. We ask for your guidance in it and your protection over it, as well as our industry. And in your precious name, we ask this listeners, till next time, Keep listening to a professional on the go podcast and keep following to professional magazinecom.
Speaker 2:Alright, as always. We appreciate you and Steve. Thanks so much for your time on the show today. Rentarecordcom. Make sure you guys check it out or give them a call. Thanks again.
Speaker 3:Alright, guys, I appreciate it. Thank you all so much. Have a blessed day.
Speaker 2:You're welcome. Thank you, Steve.