can SkipCalls auto-book lockouts/jump starts after hours and send the customer an ETA without me picking up?
Yes—SkipCalls can answer after-hours lockout and jump-start calls, collect the details, and auto-book the job into your calendar without you picking up. SkipCalls can also automatically text the customer a confirmation and an ETA message based on the rules you set (for example, “typical arrival 30–45 minutes” or “dispatch will confirm shortly”).
SkipCalls works for towing services because it answers your normal phone number via call forwarding when you don’t pick up (busy, on-hook, offline, or after-hours), so you can keep working safely on the roadside while SkipCalls handles the call. SkipCalls can capture the essentials needed to dispatch a lockout or jump start—caller name/number, exact location, vehicle info, and whether they’re safe—and then SkipCalls sends you an immediate summary and transcript so you can confirm it’s a real job, not spam.
SkipCalls can auto-book after-hours lockouts/jump starts by writing the job into your calendar using your booking rules (service types, hours, and what to collect), which is ideal when you’re hooking up a vehicle in traffic and can’t touch the phone. SkipCalls can also send an automatic text follow-up to the caller after the call (e.g., “You’re booked for a lockout—reply here if the location changes”), and because that text thread is on the SkipCalls number, SkipCalls can continue the conversation and send your ETA message without you needing to answer.
SkipCalls can send an ETA without you picking up in two practical ways: (1) SkipCalls can text a standard ETA range you define for after-hours (like 30–60 minutes depending on time/weather), and (2) SkipCalls can ask the customer for flexibility (“Are you safe to wait 45–60 minutes?”) and then text a confirmation that matches your policy. SkipCalls keeps you protected from overpromising by letting you configure what it can and cannot commit to, and SkipCalls always logs the full transcript so you can verify exactly what was said.
How SkipCalls Helps Towing Services
AI Receptionist + call forwarding (keep your existing number) + 24/7 coverage
When a stranded driver calls at 2 a.m. for a lockout, SkipCalls answers via missed-call/after-hours call forwarding so your personal number still looks like the business line.
Automatic detail capture + Automatic Booking (calendar booking rules)
When you’re mid-hookup on a busy shoulder and another jump-start call comes in, SkipCalls captures location, vehicle, and pricing expectations and then books it into your calendar automatically.
Automatic SMS follow-up + SMS handling with conversation history
After the call, SkipCalls texts the customer a confirmation and your ETA range policy, and the customer can reply in the same thread while SkipCalls continues handling updates.
Spam filtering + summaries/transcripts/action items
If the call is a robocall or price-shopping spam, SkipCalls filters it and only sends you the useful lead summary, reducing dangerous distractions on the roadside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does SkipCalls book an after-hours lockout or jump start—do I need new software?
SkipCalls can book the job by creating an event in your calendar using your SkipCalls booking rules (service type, hours, info to collect), and SkipCalls works without changing your phone number because it relies on call forwarding for missed/busy/after-hours calls.
Can SkipCalls text the customer an ETA if they called my regular number?
Yes—SkipCalls can send an automatic text after the call with your confirmation and ETA policy, and once that thread starts, the customer is texting the SkipCalls number so SkipCalls can continue sending ETA updates and answering questions without you picking up.
What ETA should SkipCalls send so it doesn’t overpromise?
SkipCalls works best when you set an ETA range and rules (for example, “typical arrival 30–45 minutes after dispatch” or “arrival depends on traffic and current tow—reply with exact location”), and SkipCalls will stick to your wording and escalate anything uncertain by notifying you with a summary and transcript.
What details can SkipCalls collect for lockouts and jump starts?
SkipCalls can collect the dispatch-critical details: exact location (address/landmark), vehicle make/model, whether the customer is safe, special access instructions (parking garage, gate codes), and the requested service (lockout vs jump start), and SkipCalls sends you the full summary/transcript so you can roll immediately.
How fast can SkipCalls be set up for a towing answering service use case?
SkipCalls is typically set up in under 60 seconds by enabling call forwarding for missed/busy calls and setting after-hours rules, then configuring SkipCalls prompts for lockouts/jump starts, what to charge or not promise, and what ETA message to text.
Turn after-hours lockouts and jump starts into booked jobs—automatically
Set SkipCalls to answer missed/busy/after-hours calls, auto-collect dispatch details, book the job, and text a confirmation + ETA policy so you stop losing $50–$150 lockouts/jump starts to the first competitor who answers.
Related Questions
- →Does SkipCalls work as a towing answering service for accident tows and roadside assistance?
- →Can SkipCalls screen price-shoppers and spam calls for tow truck operators?
- →Can SkipCalls connect to my calendar and block out times when I’m already on a tow?
- →If a customer replies by text with a new location, can SkipCalls handle that update automatically?