24-Hour Towing and Certified Collision Repair in Valley Stream, NY
Macarthur Auto Body and Towing is a tow company and a manufacturer-certified body shop under one roof. Our own trucks answer breakdowns, lockouts, and accidents across Nassau County and the Queens border 24 hours a day, and our own technicians repair what they bring back. Call 516-362-5350.
170 East Lincoln Avenue, Valley Stream, NY | Nassau County & Queens
Reviews and credentials
What Drivers Say About Macarthur on Google
Macarthur's customers describe drivers who arrive, hook up carefully, and treat them with respect at the worst moment of their week. The reviews below are from Google, in the customers' own words.
I got locked out my car on a cold snowy night and Alex came and unlock my car. He was very quick and professional. I would definitely use this towing company again.
Great timing and professionalism. The tow truck driver Carlos was experienced and helpful. I would recommend this company and Carlos to anyone.
Not the usual experience with a towing company. Everyone that I spoke to was polite and respectful and they towed my car with care. Hopefully I never need my car towed again, but if I do, this is who I will be using!
- 1,800+Google reviews, 5.0 average as of Oct 2026
- 24/7Our own trucks, our own drivers
- 16Certifications on the shop wall
- I-CARGold Class training recognition
- 1 ShopTow fleet and body shop, Valley Stream
- LicensedDMV # 7110205 · DCA # 1389419
Reviews are the only part of this page we did not write. The people above called us during a lockout on a snowy night, a breakdown on the way to work, or a tow after an accident, and then took the time to say how it went. Read them, and if we have helped you, we would be grateful for a few words on Google.
The same drivers and the same shop are behind every call.
Tow Company
Need a Tow?
24/7 towing and roadside assistance across Nassau County and Queens. Light duty, heavy duty, accident recovery.
Towing ServicesCertified Collision Shop
Need Body Work?
Collision repair, paint, frame, and glass at our Valley Stream shop. You pick the shop, we handle the insurance claim.
Body Shop Services- Towing
- Tow Truck
- Roadside Assistance
- Flatbed Towing
- Heavy Duty Towing
- Jump Start
- Lockout Service
- Tire Change
- Fuel Delivery
- Accident Recovery
- Collision Repair
- Auto Body Shop
- Auto Paint
- Frame Repair
- Auto Glass
- Dent Repair
- Bumper Repair
- Insurance Claims
- I-CAR Gold Class
- Certified Body Shop
Why Macarthur Is Both a Tow Company and a Certified Body Shop
Macarthur Auto Body and Towing runs its own tow fleet and its own collision shop from 170 East Lincoln Avenue in Valley Stream. The truck that picks you up and the technicians who fix your car work for the same company, so there is one phone number from the breakdown to the finished repair.
Most towing companies drop your car at somebody else's shop. Most body shops have to call somebody else to get your car to them. Macarthur does both. When a driver in Nassau County or the Queens neighborhoods along the county line calls 516-362-5350, the person who answers sends one of our own tow trucks. If the vehicle needs body work afterward, it rides straight to our own collision shop and the same company writes the estimate, talks to the insurance adjuster, and hands you the keys when it is done.
That matters more than it sounds. After an accident you are already dealing with police reports, insurance phone calls, and figuring out how to get to work tomorrow. The last thing you need is a tow operator who takes the car to a yard you have never heard of, a storage bill that grows every day, and a body shop that has to send a second truck to go get it. With Macarthur, the accident recovery truck and the collision repair bay are part of the same operation. The car goes from the scene to the shop in one move.
The towing side runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with light duty flatbeds and wheel-lifts for cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups, and heavy duty wreckers for box trucks, buses, and tractor trailers. The body shop side holds manufacturer certifications from Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, along with I-CAR Gold Class training recognition. You can see every plaque on our certifications page.
We operate under New York State DMV number 7110205 and New York City Department of Consumer Affairs license 1389419 and work out of one shop in Valley Stream. Shop hours, addresses, and the map links are on the contact page. Read more about who we are on the about page.
One call covers the tow and the repair.
24-Hour Towing in Valley Stream and Across Nassau County
Macarthur tows cars, SUVs, pickups, vans, motorcycles, box trucks, buses, and tractor trailers 24 hours a day across Nassau County and the Queens border. Call 516-362-5350, tell us where you are and where the vehicle needs to go, and a Macarthur truck is on the way.
Towing is the core of what we do, and we do it with our own equipment and our own drivers. A flatbed carries your vehicle with all four wheels on the deck, which is what all-wheel-drive cars, electric vehicles, lowered cars, and anything with a damaged wheel or axle need. A wheel-lift is quicker for a short local move of a front-wheel-drive car that just will not start. Our drivers choose the right truck for the vehicle and the situation, and if you have a preference, tell the person who answers the phone.
We tow to wherever you say. That might be our own body shop in Valley Stream if the car was in an accident, your regular mechanic, a dealership, your driveway, or a tire shop across town. Some drivers assume a tow company only tows to its own lot. We do not. If you want the car somewhere else, that is where it goes.
Towing covers every community in Nassau County, from Valley Stream, Lynbrook, and Elmont on the Queens line to Hempstead, Freeport, Garden City, Massapequa, and Bethpage, plus the Queens neighborhoods that border Nassau such as Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, and Far Rockaway. The full list of towns is on the locations page.
What happens when you call Macarthur for a tow
You call 516-362-5350. We ask three things: where you are, what the vehicle is, and where it needs to go. If you are on a road, give the nearest cross street or a landmark you can see. If you are in a parking lot, give the business name. Then we tell you which truck is coming and roughly how far away it is.
While you wait, stay with the vehicle if it is safe to do so, turn on your hazards, and keep your phone on. If you are on a busy road, get out on the side away from traffic and stand well off the shoulder. When the driver arrives, they confirm your name and destination, hook up, and go. Ask the driver about riding along; it depends on the truck and the situation.
Light duty towing for everyday cars, SUVs, and pickups
Light duty towing is the sedan with a dead alternator in a Rockville Centre driveway, the SUV with a blown tire and no spare on a Garden City side street, the minivan that would not start in a Levittown parking lot after the school pickup. It is the majority of calls we run. Flatbeds for anything all-wheel-drive, electric, or low to the ground. Wheel-lifts for quick local moves when the vehicle allows it.
Heavy duty towing for box trucks, buses, and tractor trailers
Heavy duty towing takes a different truck and a different kind of driver. Macarthur runs heavy wreckers for straight trucks, delivery vans, school and charter buses, dump trucks, and tractor trailers with or without a loaded trailer. Commercial breakdowns usually come with a clock on them, a driver who has to get home, and a load that has to be delivered. We work with fleet accounts across Nassau County and the Queens border. Tell us the weight and the load when you call so we send the right wrecker the first time.
Motorcycle towing without scratching the tank
A motorcycle on a flatbed is only safe if it is strapped correctly. Motorcycle towing with Macarthur means soft straps on the bars and frame, wheel chocks so the bike rides upright, and a driver who has done it before. Scooters and trikes too.
Long distance towing across Long Island, into the city, and out of state
Bought a car at a dealer in Suffolk and it does not run? Need a project car moved from a garage in Queens to a shop on the North Shore? Moving out of state and the second car is not drivable? Long distance towing is priced by mileage and vehicle type. Call with the pickup and drop-off addresses and we quote it on the phone.
Equipment hauling for contractors and landscapers
Skid steers, compressors, small excavators, forklifts, and scissor lifts go on a flatbed to the job site. Equipment hauling is a regular part of the week for us, especially in spring and fall when every landscaper in Nassau is moving gear between jobs.
Towing services, each with its own page
Light Duty Towing
Cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups on flatbeds and wheel-lifts.
Heavy Duty Towing
Trucks, buses, semis, and tractor trailers, safely and securely.
Flatbed Towing
All four wheels off the ground for AWD, EV, and low vehicles.
Motorcycle Towing
Special care for your two-wheeled pride and joy.
Long Distance Towing
Convenient and economical long distance towing for any vehicle.
Accident Recovery
Ready for any vehicle emergency, including off-road recovery.
Need a tow right now? The line is open 24 hours.
Roadside Assistance for Dead Batteries, Lockouts, Flat Tires, and Empty Tanks
Not every breakdown needs a tow. Macarthur sends a truck for jump starts, car lockouts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and on-site battery replacement anywhere in Nassau County and the Queens border, 24 hours a day. If the problem cannot be fixed on the spot, the same truck tows you.
Roadside assistance is the call you make when the car is stopped but probably not broken. The battery died. The keys are locked inside. The tire went flat. The gas gauge was lying. These are fixable at the curb, and a Macarthur truck carries what it takes to fix them. Below is what we do for each of the problems that strand drivers on Long Island, and what you should do while you wait.
Dead battery and jump starts
The most common roadside call there is. You left the headlights on, a door was not closed all the way, the battery is five years old and the first cold morning finished it. A Macarthur truck jump starts the vehicle and checks whether the battery holds a charge. If it does, you drive away. If it does not, we can install a new one right there with mobile battery installation, which beats getting jumped, driving to a store, and finding out the car will not restart in their parking lot.
Signs the battery is the problem and not something else: the dash lights are dim or dead, you hear a rapid clicking when you turn the key, the car started fine yesterday and now does nothing. Signs it is something else: the dash lights are bright and the engine cranks strongly but never catches, which is usually fuel or spark and means a tow to a mechanic. Either way, call and describe what you hear. The person on the phone can usually tell which truck and which tools you need.
Locked keys in the car or trunk
Keys on the seat, keys in the trunk, keys in the ignition with the doors locked, fob battery dead so the door will not respond. A car lockout call gets a driver with proper lockout tools who opens the vehicle without damaging the door, the lock, the paint, or the weather seal. We do this for cars, SUVs, pickups, and most commercial vans. If the key is lost entirely rather than locked inside, we can tow you to a dealer or locksmith.
One thing to know: never try to open your own door with a coat hanger or a screwdriver. Modern doors have side airbag sensors, wiring harnesses, and window regulators right behind the panel. A scratch in the paint is the least expensive thing that can go wrong.
Flat tire with or without a spare
If you have a spare and a safe place to stop, a tire change call puts your spare on and gets you rolling to a tire shop. We handle locking lug nuts if you have the key. If the spare is flat too, or your car came without one, which is common on newer vehicles, we tow you to the tire shop of your choice. Do not drive on a flat. A quarter mile on a flat run-flat is fine; a quarter mile on a regular flat destroys the tire and can damage the wheel.
Out of gas or wrong fuel
Fuel delivery brings enough gasoline or diesel to get you to the nearest station. Tell us the fuel type when you call. If you put the wrong fuel in, do not start the engine. Call us and we tow you to a shop that can drain the tank. Starting the engine with the wrong fuel is the difference between a drain and a repair bill.
Car will not start but the battery is fine
A starter that clicks once, an engine that cranks and cranks, a key that turns and nothing happens at all. These are mechanical, not roadside, and the answer is a tow to your mechanic or to a dealership. We can also bring it to our Valley Stream shop if the problem turns out to be collision-related damage, such as a bent frame rail or a crushed component after a hit you thought was minor.
Stuck in snow, mud, sand, or a ditch
Long Island winters put cars into snowbanks. Spring puts them into soft shoulders. Summer puts them into beach sand at the end of the parking lot. Accident recovery includes winching and off-road recovery. We pull the vehicle out, check that nothing underneath was damaged, and either send you on your way or tow you if a tire, axle, or exhaust took a hit.
Overheating, warning lights, and strange noises
If the temperature gauge is pegged, pull over and shut it off. Driving an overheating engine for even a few minutes can warp the head. If the oil light comes on, same answer. A tow costs less than an engine. Call 516-362-5350, describe the warning, and we tow you to a mechanic before a small problem becomes a large one.
Roadside assistance, each with its own page
Jump Starts
Left the lights on? Call Macarthur anytime.
Car Lockouts
Locked your keys in the car? Macarthur to the rescue.
Fuel Delivery
Running on fumes or ran out of gas? We bring fuel to you.
Tire Changes
Sometimes you don't want to get your hands dirty. We have it covered.
Mobile Battery Installation
When your battery quits, Macarthur gets started. New batteries installed on-site.
Equipment Hauling
We move it all, including heavy equipment.
Dead battery, locked out, or flat? A truck comes to you.
What to Do After a Car Accident, and How Macarthur Handles the Tow, Storage, and Repair
After an accident, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety, exchange information, photograph the scene, and call Macarthur at 516-362-5350. We recover the vehicle, bring it to our certified collision shop in Valley Stream, write the estimate, and handle the insurance claim. You choose the body shop under New York law, not the insurance company.
An accident is the moment the two halves of Macarthur matter most. The accident recovery truck that clears the scene and the collision repair shop that fixes the car are the same company. Here is how it works from the side of the road to the day you pick up the keys.
Step one: safety, police, and information
Check yourself and your passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first. If the cars are drivable and it is safe, move them out of the travel lane. If they are not, turn on hazards and get everyone away from traffic. Exchange names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance company names with the other driver. Photograph both cars, the damage, the license plates, the road, and anything that shows what happened. Get the police report number if an officer responds.
Step two: call Macarthur before you call the insurance company
This order matters. If you call the insurer first, they will often suggest a tow to a shop in their network. You are not required to accept that. Under New York Insurance Law, you have the right to choose any licensed repair shop. Call 516-362-5350, we send the recovery truck, and the car goes to our shop at 170 East Lincoln Avenue in Valley Stream. Then call your insurer and tell them where the car is.
Step three: the estimate and the insurance claim
Our estimator looks at the car, writes an itemized estimate, photographs the damage, and sends it to your insurance company. If the adjuster wants to inspect the vehicle, they do it at our shop. When teardown reveals damage the first look missed, which is common on anything more than a bumper scrape, we document it and submit a supplement to the adjuster. Read more about how this works on the insurance claim repair page.
Step four: the repair
Structural damage gets measured and pulled on the frame equipment. Panels get repaired or replaced. Paint gets matched to the factory color and blended into the surrounding panels. Glass gets replaced. Cameras and sensors that were disturbed get recalibrated. Then the car is inspected, road tested, and cleaned before you see it. Each piece of that is described on the auto body pages: frame repair, auto body repair, auto painting, auto glass replacement, bumper repair, and dent repair.
Storage while the claim is sorted out
A car that came in on our truck can stay at our shop while estimates, approvals, and supplements go back and forth with the insurer. That means no separate storage yard, no second tow, and no storage bill from a company you never chose.
If the other driver was at fault
You can file against the other driver's insurance instead of your own, which usually means no deductible for you. The process at our end is the same: estimate, adjuster inspection, supplements, repair. We deal with whichever insurance company is paying.
Car not drivable after a crash? We recover it and bring it to our shop.
Manufacturer-Certified Collision Repair at Our Valley Stream Body Shop
Macarthur's collision shop in Valley Stream repairs all makes and models and holds manufacturer certifications from Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, plus I-CAR Gold Class. Services include collision repair, auto body repair, painting, frame straightening, auto glass, bumper and dent repair, and insurance claim handling with direct billing.
The body shop is the other half of Macarthur, and it is not a side business. It is a full collision facility with the equipment and the training to repair modern vehicles the way the manufacturer says they should be repaired. That is what the plaques on the certifications page mean: Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, and the others audited the shop before putting their names on the wall.
You do not need to have been towed by us to use the body shop. Plenty of customers drive in with a dented door, a scraped bumper, or a quarter panel that lost an argument with a parking garage pillar. Stop by during shop hours for an estimate, or call 516-362-5350. If the car is not drivable, our own tow trucks bring it in.
Collision repair from fender benders to major structural damage
Collision repair covers the full range: a rear bumper and trunk lid after a parking lot tap, a front end rebuild after a highway stop-and-go hit, a side impact that pushed the door into the B-pillar. Every job starts with a written estimate, continues with a teardown to find hidden damage, and ends with a quality check before you get the keys.
Auto body repair for dents, scrapes, rust, and worn panels
Not everything is a claim. Auto body repair is the dent from a shopping cart, the scrape along the rocker panel, the rust bubble on the wheel arch, the hood that needs a panel replaced. We fix the damage, finish the surface, and paint only what needs paint.
Auto painting matched to the factory color
Auto painting means reading the factory color code, mixing the color, spraying base and clear in the booth, and blending into the adjacent panels so there is no line where the new paint meets the old. A single panel or a full repaint, the standard is the same: you should not be able to find the repair.
Frame and unibody straightening
A frame that is out of specification is not safe, even if the car looks fine. It throws off alignment, chews through tires, and changes how the car behaves in the next crash. Frame repair means measuring the structure, pulling it back to specification, and measuring again before the car leaves.
Auto glass replacement
Windshields, door glass, quarter glass, and rear glass with defroster lines. Auto glass replacement is often part of a collision repair and is often covered under comprehensive insurance when it stands alone. We bill the insurer directly either way.
Bumper repair and dent repair
Plastic bumper covers take most of the hits in Nassau County parking lots. Bumper repair fixes the cracks and scuffs that can be fixed and replaces the covers that cannot, then paints to match. Dent repair handles door dings, creases, and the dents that are too deep or too sharp to pull without refinishing.
Body shop services, each with its own page
Collision Repair
From fender benders to major damage, repaired to pre-accident condition.
Auto Body Repair
Dents, scrapes, rust, and panel replacement.
Auto Painting
Spot repair to full repaints, matched to the factory color.
Frame Repair
Frames pulled back to straight and true.
Auto Glass Replacement
Windshields, door glass, and back glass replaced.
Bumper Repair
Cracked, scraped, or pushed-in bumpers repaired or replaced.
Dent Repair
Door dings, hail, and creased panels.
Insurance Claim Repair
You choose the shop. We handle the claim.
Get an itemized estimate at the Valley Stream shop.
Your Right to Choose a Body Shop in New York, and How We Handle the Insurance Claim
New York Insurance Law gives you the right to choose any licensed body shop for an insurance repair. Your insurer can suggest a shop but cannot require one. Macarthur writes the estimate, sends it to your insurer, handles supplements with the adjuster, and bills the insurance company directly so you pay only your deductible.
The single most common question we get after an accident is some version of "my insurance company told me to use their shop, do I have to?" The answer is no. Under New York Insurance Law section 2610, an insurer cannot require you to use a particular repair shop. They can recommend one. You decide. Tell the adjuster the car is at Macarthur Auto Body and Towing, 170 East Lincoln Avenue, Valley Stream, and we take it from there. The details are on the insurance claim repair page.
Why insurers push their network shops
Direct repair program shops agree to the insurer's labor rates, parts choices, and processing targets in exchange for volume. That can be fine, and it can also mean aftermarket parts where factory parts are warranted and timelines that skip steps. A shop that answers to you rather than to the carrier has a different set of incentives. We are members of MetLife's and Hanover's direct repair programs, which you can see on the certifications page, and we work with every other carrier operating in New York.
Supplements: when the first estimate was too low
An initial insurance estimate is usually written from photographs or a quick walk-around. Once the bumper cover comes off and the damage behind it is visible, the number goes up. That is not a dispute, it is a supplement. We document the hidden damage with photos and measurements and submit it to the adjuster. Covered repairs are covered whether they were visible on day one or not.
Deductibles, rental cars, and total loss
Your deductible is your share and is due when you pick up the car. If the other driver's insurer is paying, there is usually no deductible. If your policy includes rental coverage, your carrier arranges the rental and we coordinate the dates with them. If the insurer declares the car a total loss and you disagree, our detailed estimate supports a dispute, and in some cases you can keep the car and have it repaired.
Paying out of pocket
Plenty of customers pay for smaller jobs themselves rather than file a claim. We write the estimate the same way and tell you what the work costs so you can decide. Nothing requires you to involve the insurance company for a scraped bumper.
Certified Collision Repair
Manufacturer-Certified Collision Shop
Each automaker audits the shop's tools, training, and procedures before putting its name on the wall. I-CAR Gold Class is the highest training recognition in collision repair.
Tell your insurer the car is at Macarthur. We handle the rest.
What I-CAR Gold Class and Manufacturer Certifications Mean for Your Repair
A manufacturer certification means the automaker audited the shop's tools, training, and procedures and approved it to repair that brand to factory standards. I-CAR Gold Class is the highest training recognition in collision repair. Macarthur holds both, and every plaque is photographed on the certifications page.
Modern cars are built from high-strength steel, aluminum, bonded panels, and a web of cameras and sensors. Repairing them correctly is not a matter of hammers and filler. Each manufacturer publishes repair procedures for its vehicles, and a certified shop is one that has the equipment and the trained technicians to follow them. That protects the car's safety systems, its factory warranty, and its resale value.
Macarthur is certified by Honda and Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, and is recognized in the Kia, Hyundai, and Mopar collision programs. We are I-CAR Gold Class, a certified provider in the OEC Collision Performance Network, and members of the MetLife Concierge Repair and Hanover Express Claims programs. The plaques and letters are on the certifications page. If you drive one of those brands, the certification is why your dealer and your insurer accept the repair.
Drive a Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, or Mopar brand? Your repair follows the factory procedure.
Service Area: All of Nassau County, the Queens Line, and the Suffolk Border
Macarthur covers all of Nassau County, the Queens neighborhoods along the Nassau line including Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Jamaica, and Far Rockaway, and the Suffolk towns just across the county border such as Amityville and Melville. Find your town on the locations page.
The fleet runs out of Valley Stream, so the south shore and the Queens line are closest: Lynbrook, Elmont, Franklin Square, Hempstead, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Freeport, Long Beach, Baldwin, Cedarhurst and the Five Towns, and across the border into Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Cambria Heights, St. Albans, Jamaica, and Far Rockaway.
The same trucks cover central and eastern Nassau: Hicksville, Levittown, Plainview, Farmingdale, Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh, Syosset, and Jericho, and the Suffolk towns on the line: Amityville, East Farmingdale, Melville, Dix Hills, and Huntington. The north shore, from Great Neck and Manhasset through Port Washington, Roslyn, Glen Cove, and Oyster Bay, is covered by the same fleet.
Every town has its own page listing the towing and body shop services we bring there, and every service has a page for every town. If you are in Garden City and need a flatbed, or in Elmont and need a jump start, or in Bethpage and need collision repair, the page is there. Start at the locations page. And if your town is not on the list, call anyway. The fleet goes where the call is.
Shop Location & Hours in Valley Stream
Shop Hours
- Monday – Friday
- 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday
- 9 AM – 12 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Towing and roadside assistance run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find your town and the services we bring there.
What Affects the Cost of a Tow or a Collision Repair
Towing cost depends on the distance, the vehicle, the truck required, and whether winching or recovery is involved. Collision repair cost depends on the damage found after teardown, the parts, the paint work, and whether structural repair or sensor recalibration is needed. Macarthur quotes tows on the phone and writes itemized collision estimates in person.
People want a number, and we understand why. Here is what goes into it so the number makes sense when you hear it.
For a tow, the variables are the distance from pickup to drop-off, the type of vehicle, whether it needs a flatbed or a heavy wrecker, whether it has to be winched out of somewhere first, and the time of day. Call 516-362-5350 with your location and destination and we quote it before the truck rolls.
For a collision repair, the variables are what the teardown reveals, which is usually more than what is visible from the outside; whether factory, aftermarket, or recycled parts are appropriate for each component; how many panels need paint and blending; whether the frame needs to be pulled; and whether cameras and sensors need recalibration after the repair. The estimate is itemized so you can see every line. If you are paying out of pocket, we tell you which items are cosmetic and can wait. If insurance is paying, we tell you what your deductible will be.
What we will not do is give you a low number on the phone to get the car in the door and a high number once it is on the lift. Write-ups are honest the first time.
Call with your location for a tow quote, or stop by for a written estimate.
Towing for Fleets, Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Property Managers
Macarthur tows for businesses as well as drivers: commercial fleet breakdowns, dealership deliveries, repair shop pickups, and private property removals for property managers. Heavy wreckers handle box trucks, buses, and tractor trailers. Call 516-362-5350 to set up an account.
A good share of the calls we run never come from a stranded driver. They come from a fleet manager whose delivery van quit on a route, a service advisor at a dealership who needs a trade-in brought over from a customer's driveway, a mechanic whose customer's car has to get from the garage to a transmission shop, or a property manager who needs a vehicle removed from a fire lane. Each of those is a different job with a different clock, and we run all of them.
Fleet work is mostly heavy duty towing and light duty towing on a schedule that is not yours to choose. Vans break down mid-route. Box trucks lose a transmission with a full load on board. Buses stall at the end of a run. Macarthur runs the right wrecker for the vehicle, gets the driver and the load taken care of, and brings the truck to your yard or your repair vendor. Tell us when you call that it is a fleet vehicle and give us the weight and the load.
Dealership and repair shop work is about accuracy more than speed. The car has to go to the right address, the keys have to end up with the right person, and the vehicle has to arrive without a new scratch. Our drivers confirm the destination and the contact before they hook up, and a flatbed is the default for anything new, luxury, or all-wheel-drive.
Private property towing for apartment complexes, shopping centers, and commercial lots follows the rules that apply to the property. If you manage a property in Nassau County or the Queens border and need vehicles removed, call and we will walk through what is required for your lot.
We also handle equipment hauling for contractors and landscapers who need a skid steer, a compressor, or a lift moved between job sites. Spring and fall are the busy seasons; call ahead if you can.
Run a fleet or a lot? Set up an account with one phone call.
Flatbed Towing for Electric, Hybrid, and All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Electric vehicles, hybrids, and all-wheel-drive cars must be towed on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground. Dragging them on two wheels can damage the motor, the drivetrain, or the battery system. Macarthur flatbeds every EV, hybrid, and AWD vehicle as a rule.
More cars on Long Island are electric, hybrid, or all-wheel-drive every year, and the towing rules for them are different. A front-wheel-drive sedan can be lifted by the front wheels and rolled on the back ones. An all-wheel-drive SUV cannot, because the rear wheels are connected to the drivetrain and turning them with the engine off can damage the transfer case. An electric car cannot, because the motors are connected directly to the wheels and spinning them generates current the system is not prepared for.
That is why flatbed towing is the default for any EV, hybrid, or AWD vehicle we tow. The car is winched onto the deck, strapped at the wheels, and carried with nothing turning. If your owner's manual specifies tow points, tell the driver and they will use them.
Electric vehicles also run out of charge the way gas cars run out of gas, and there is no equivalent of a fuel delivery. The answer is a flatbed to the nearest charger or to your home. Tell us the make and the state of charge when you call so the driver knows what to expect.
If an EV has been in an accident, the body shop side matters too. Our collision repair technicians follow the manufacturer's procedures for working around high-voltage systems and for repairing aluminum and bonded panels. The certifications page lists the brands that have audited the shop.
Electric, hybrid, or AWD? Ask for the flatbed when you call.
Winter Breakdowns, Summer Overheating, and Holiday Travel on Long Island
Long Island breakdowns follow the seasons. Winter brings dead batteries, cars stuck in snow, and black ice accidents. Summer brings overheating, tire blowouts, and beach traffic. Holidays bring long-distance breakdowns far from home. Macarthur runs the same 24-hour fleet through all of it.
The first cold snap of the year is the busiest week for jump starts and mobile battery installation. A battery that was marginal in October is dead in December. If your car has been slow to crank, get the battery tested before the cold arrives, because the morning it finally quits will be the morning you have somewhere to be.
Snow and ice bring two kinds of calls. The first is the car in the snowbank at the end of the driveway or the bottom of the hill, which is a winch job under accident recovery. The second is the fender bender on an icy intersection, which is a tow to our collision shop and an insurance claim. In both cases, stay in the car with the hazards on unless you are in a dangerous spot, and do not try to dig out with the engine running and the exhaust buried in snow.
Summer brings overheating in stop-and-go traffic, tire blowouts from heat and underinflation, and air conditioning that quits on the hottest day. If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over and shut off the engine. A tow to a mechanic is far cheaper than a warped cylinder head. If a tire blows, get well off the road before calling for a tire change.
Holiday weekends mean more cars on the road, more drivers far from home, and more calls for long distance towing back to a home mechanic. If you break down on Long Island while visiting, we can tow you to a local shop or get the car home. If you live here and break down upstate or in New Jersey, call anyway; long distance tows are quoted by mileage.
Through all of it, the number is the same. 516-362-5350, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Battery dead in the cold? We jump it and test it on the spot.
How to Choose a Towing Company, and What to Ask Before the Truck Hooks Up
Ask who owns the truck, whether the driver works for the company you called, where the vehicle is going, and what the tow will cost. A towing company that answers all four plainly, owns its fleet, and is licensed is the one to use. Macarthur answers them on the phone before the truck is sent.
When you search for a tow truck from the side of the road, the first result is not always a towing company. It is sometimes a call center that sells your call to whichever operator bids on it. You do not know who is coming, what they drive, or what they charge until the truck arrives. Here is what to ask so you know.
Who is sending the truck
Ask whether the truck belongs to the company you are talking to. Macarthur owns its fleet and employs its drivers. The person on the phone can tell you the truck is leaving from our own yard in Valley Stream.
Where the car is going
Confirm the destination before the hook-up. If you want your car at your mechanic, say so. A tow company that insists on taking your car to its own lot and then charges storage is one to avoid. We tow to the address you give us, including our own body shop only if that is where you want it.
What it costs
Get the price on the phone. Towing is priced by distance, vehicle type, and the truck required, and all three are known before the truck moves. A company that will not quote until the car is on the deck is leaving room to surprise you.
Whether the company is licensed
Macarthur operates under New York State DMV number 7110205 and New York City Department of Consumer Affairs license 1389419. Ask any tow company for its license and look it up.
What happens after the tow
If the car was in an accident, ask whether the towing company has a body shop or hands you off. Macarthur's accident recovery trucks bring cars straight to our certified collision repair shop, and the same company handles the insurance claim.
Ask us any of these questions. We answer them on the phone.
How to Choose a Collision Shop: Questions That Separate a Good Shop From a Cheap One
Choose a collision shop that holds manufacturer certifications and I-CAR Gold Class, writes itemized estimates, tells you which parts it uses and why, recalibrates cameras and sensors after repair, and answers to you rather than to the insurance company. Macarthur meets all five and shows its certifications on the wall.
A body shop is easy to judge from the outside and hard to judge from the work. A clean lobby says nothing about whether the frame was measured. Here is what actually matters.
Certifications you can verify
Manufacturer certifications and I-CAR Gold Class are not marketing. They are audits that the shop either passed or did not. Macarthur's plaques are photographed on the certifications page: Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, I-CAR Gold Class, OEC, MetLife, and Hanover. Ask any shop to show you theirs.
An itemized estimate
The estimate should list every part, every hour of labor, and every paint operation. If a shop gives you one number on a sticky note, you cannot compare it to anything and neither can your insurer. Our estimates are written line by line and sent to the adjuster the same way.
Which parts and why
Factory parts are the standard for structural components, airbag sensors, and anything the driver-assistance cameras depend on. Aftermarket and recycled parts can be appropriate for cosmetic panels on older vehicles. The shop should tell you which is being used on each line and why. We do.
Frame measurement and sensor recalibration
Ask whether the shop measures the frame before and after a structural pull, and whether it recalibrates the cameras and radar that run lane-keeping and automatic braking after a repair disturbs them. A shop that does neither is handing back a car that looks fixed. Frame repair at Macarthur is measured, and sensor recalibration is part of the job on vehicles that have them.
Who the shop answers to
A shop that gets most of its work from an insurer's referral program answers to that insurer on rates, parts, and timelines. A shop that gets its work from drivers answers to drivers. We are members of two direct repair programs and we work with every carrier, but the customer is the person whose name is on the estimate.
Bring the car in and ask to see the certifications. They are on the wall.
Towing and Body Work for Motorcycles, Classic Cars, Luxury Vehicles, and Lowered Cars
Motorcycles, classic cars, luxury vehicles, and lowered cars need a flatbed, soft straps, and a driver who takes his time. Macarthur tows them that way and repairs them in a shop that holds luxury-brand certifications. Tell us what the vehicle is when you call so the right truck and the right gear come.
Some vehicles are not just a way to get to work. A restored car that took three winters in the garage, a motorcycle that is the owner's whole weekend, a luxury sedan with a paint finish that cost more than some cars. Towing those is not a different service, but it is a different level of care, and we treat it that way.
A motorcycle rides upright on the flatbed with soft straps on the bars and frame and chocks on both wheels. The driver checks the straps before pulling out and again after the first few blocks. A classic car with a low front spoiler gets boards under the ramps so the lip never touches the deck. A lowered car gets the same. A luxury vehicle gets a flatbed as a rule, wheel straps rather than frame hooks, and a driver who knows where the tie-down points are on that model. If you have an owner's manual page on towing, show it to the driver.
On the body shop side, the certifications page shows Infiniti and Acura among the brands that have audited the shop, and the same collision repair and auto painting standards apply to every car that comes in. Paint on a classic or a luxury vehicle is matched by code and blended into the adjacent panels so the repair disappears. If a part is hard to find, we tell you up front and order it as soon as the estimate is approved.
Motorcycle collision damage, fairings, tanks, and frames, is a conversation to have in person. Bring the bike or have us tow it in and we will tell you what we can do and what belongs at a motorcycle specialist.
Motorcycle, classic, or lowered? Tell us when you call so the right truck comes.
How Macarthur Works With Your Mechanic, Your Dealership, and Your Tire Shop
Macarthur tows to any repair shop you choose and coordinates the handoff: the right address, the keys to the right person, and a call ahead so the shop knows the car is coming. If your mechanic finds collision damage, the car can come to our body shop and go back to them when the body work is done.
Most drivers already have a mechanic they trust, a dealership that services the car, or a tire shop they have used for years. We are not trying to replace them. We are the truck that gets the car there. When you call for a tow, tell us the shop and we confirm the address, the hours, and whether they have a key drop. If the shop is closed, we can hold the car and deliver it when they open, or leave it in their lot with the keys in the drop if that is how they work.
The reverse happens too. A mechanic finds a bent frame rail behind a cracked bumper, or a dealership technician sees that a door was pushed in far enough to need body work. They call us, we bring the car to our collision shop, the frame repair or auto body repair gets done, and the car goes back to the original shop for whatever mechanical work was pending. One tow in, one tow back, and the customer deals with one phone number for the body work.
Tire shops get the flat tire calls that turn out to need more than a spare: a bent wheel, a torn sidewall on a car with no spare, a run-flat that was driven too far. We tow to the tire shop you name, in Valley Stream, Hempstead, Bethpage, or anywhere else in the county.
Dealerships use us for trade-in pickups, service loaner moves, and cars that will not start on the lot. Repair shops use us when a customer car has to go to a specialist. Everyone gets the same thing: our truck, our driver, a confirmed destination, and a call when the car is delivered.
Have the car towed to the shop you trust, including this one.
Picking Up Your Car: Vehicle Release, Storage, Payment, and What to Bring
To pick up a vehicle from Macarthur bring a government photo ID, proof of ownership or the registration, and the insurance claim number if there is one. Your deductible or the repair balance is due at pickup. Call ahead so the car is ready at the door.
Whether the car came in for a tow, a repair, or both, picking it up is the same process. Call ahead to confirm it is ready and ask what the balance is. Bring a government-issued photo ID and the registration or title. If someone other than the registered owner is picking up, they need a signed authorization from the owner plus their own ID. If an insurance claim is involved, bring the claim number so we can match the paperwork.
Payment is due at pickup. If your insurer is paying, the balance is your deductible. If you are paying out of pocket, the balance is the estimate you approved plus any supplement you approved along the way. There are no additions you did not sign off on.
When you pick up a repaired car, walk around it with us. Check the panel gaps, the paint match under daylight, and that every light and sensor works. We would rather you find a question in the lot than at home. Repairs are explained line by line against the estimate on the insurance claim repair and collision repair pages if you want to read ahead.
The shop is at 170 East Lincoln Avenue, Valley Stream. Hours and the map link are on the contact page.
Ready to pick up? Call ahead so the paperwork is waiting.
The Macarthur Fleet: Flatbeds, Wreckers, and Heavy Wreckers
Macarthur operates its own fleet of flatbed tow trucks, wheel-lift wreckers, and heavy duty wreckers from its yard in Valley Stream. The trucks in the photos are the trucks that come when you call.
The fleet is the reason we can promise a Macarthur truck and a Macarthur driver on every call. Flatbeds for the everyday tows and for anything all-wheel-drive, electric, or low. Wheel-lift wreckers for quick local moves. Heavy wreckers for commercial trucks, buses, and tractor trailers. Every truck carries jump packs, lockout tools, and the gear for a roadside call, so the truck that comes for a jump start can tow you if the battery turns out to be the least of it.
We are hiring drivers. If you want to run one of these trucks, read the tow truck driver jobs page. If you would rather work on the cars than haul them, the body shop jobs page lists the open technician, painter, and prep positions.
Box truck, bus, or tractor trailer? Ask for the heavy wrecker.
Questions Drivers Ask Macarthur About Towing and Collision Repair
- Does Macarthur tow 24 hours a day?
- Yes. Towing and roadside assistance run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call 516-362-5350 at any hour.
- What areas does Macarthur Auto Body and Towing serve?
- All of Nassau County, the Queens neighborhoods along the Nassau line such as Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Jamaica, and Far Rockaway, and the Suffolk towns just over the border such as Amityville, Melville, and Huntington. Every town has a page on the locations section of this site.
- Where is Macarthur Auto Body and Towing located?
- The shop is at 170 East Lincoln Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. Shop hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM. Towing runs around the clock.
- How do I call a tow truck in Valley Stream?
- Call 516-362-5350. Tell us where you are, what the vehicle is, and where it needs to go. A Macarthur truck is sent from Valley Stream.
- Can you tow my car to a shop other than yours?
- Yes. We tow to any destination you choose: your mechanic, a dealership, a tire shop, or your home. You are never required to use our body shop.
- Do I need a flatbed for my car?
- If the car is all-wheel-drive, electric, hybrid, lowered, or has a damaged wheel or axle, yes. A flatbed carries all four wheels off the ground. Tell us the make and model and we send the right truck.
- Do you tow electric vehicles like Tesla?
- Yes, on a flatbed, which is what most EV manufacturers require. We never drag an EV on two wheels.
- Do you tow motorcycles?
- Yes. Motorcycles ride on a flatbed with soft straps on the bars and frame and chocks on the wheels so the bike stays upright.
- Do you do heavy duty towing for trucks and tractor trailers?
- Yes. We run heavy wreckers for box trucks, buses, dump trucks, semis, and tractor trailers, loaded or empty. Tell us the weight and the load when you call.
- Can you jump start my car?
- Yes. A Macarthur truck jump starts the vehicle and tests whether the battery holds a charge. If it does not, we can install a new battery on the spot.
- Can you replace my car battery where I am?
- Yes. Mobile battery installation brings a new battery to your driveway, your office, or the roadside and installs it there. Tell us the year, make, and model when you call.
- I locked my keys in the car. Can you open it without damage?
- Yes. Our drivers carry proper lockout tools and open the door without damaging the paint, the lock, or the weather seal. This covers keys locked in the cabin or the trunk.
- I have a flat tire. Will you change it?
- Yes, if you have a usable spare. We put the spare on and you drive to a tire shop. If there is no spare, we tow you to the tire shop of your choice.
- I ran out of gas. Can you bring fuel?
- Yes. Fuel delivery brings enough gasoline or diesel to reach the nearest station. Tell us the fuel type when you call.
- My car is stuck in the snow. Can you pull it out?
- Yes. Winching and off-road recovery are part of our accident recovery service. We pull the vehicle out and check for damage underneath before you drive away.
- What should I do right after a car accident in Nassau County?
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety, exchange information with the other driver, photograph everything, and get the police report number. Then call Macarthur at 516-362-5350 to recover the car and bring it to our collision shop.
- Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
- No. Under New York Insurance Law section 2610, you have the right to choose any licensed repair shop. Your insurer can recommend a shop but cannot require it. Tell them the car is at Macarthur Auto Body and Towing in Valley Stream.
- Does Macarthur work with my insurance company?
- Yes. We write the estimate, send it to your insurer, handle supplements with the adjuster, and bill the insurance company directly. You pay only your deductible. We are also members of the MetLife and Hanover direct repair programs.
- What is a supplement on a collision repair?
- A supplement is additional repair cost documented after teardown reveals damage that was not visible in the first estimate. We photograph it and submit it to the adjuster. Covered repairs are covered whether the damage was visible on day one or not.
- Do I have to pay my deductible?
- Yes, if your own insurance is paying for the repair. It is due when you pick up the car. If the other driver's insurer is paying, there is usually no deductible for you.
- Can my car stay at your shop while the insurance claim is sorted out?
- Yes. A car that came in on our truck stays at our shop while estimates, approvals, and supplements are worked out. No separate storage yard, no second tow.
- What certifications does Macarthur's body shop hold?
- Manufacturer certifications from Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram; I-CAR Gold Class training recognition; OEC Collision Performance Network certified provider; and MetLife and Hanover direct repair program membership. The plaques are on the certifications page.
- What does I-CAR Gold Class mean?
- I-CAR Gold Class is the highest training recognition in collision repair. It means the shop's technicians are trained on current repair procedures for modern vehicles, including high-strength steel, aluminum, and vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems.
- Do you repair all makes and models?
- Yes. Domestic, import, luxury, and electric. We hold manufacturer certifications for several brands and repair every brand to the manufacturer's procedures.
- Will the paint match the rest of my car?
- Yes. We read the factory color code, mix the color, and blend the new paint into the surrounding panels so there is no visible line between old and new.
- How do I know if my frame is bent after an accident?
- Uneven tire wear, doors that do not close right, a steering wheel that is off center, or a car that pulls to one side after a hit. Bring it in and we measure the structure against the manufacturer's specification.
- Do you replace windshields and auto glass?
- Yes. Windshields, door glass, quarter glass, and rear glass with defroster. Glass is often covered under comprehensive insurance, and we bill the insurer directly.
- Can I get an estimate without an appointment?
- Yes. Stop by the Valley Stream shop during shop hours, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM or Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM, and we look at the car on the spot. If it is not drivable, we tow it in.
- Can I pay out of pocket instead of filing a claim?
- Yes. Many customers pay for smaller jobs themselves to avoid a claim. We write the estimate the same way so you can decide.
- Are you hiring tow truck drivers or body shop technicians?
- Yes. Open roles for light duty drivers, heavy duty wrecker operators, call takers, collision technicians, body men, painters, preppers, and detailers are listed on the careers pages. Call 516-362-5350 and ask for the shop manager.
- Is Macarthur licensed?
- Yes. Macarthur Auto Body and Towing operates under New York State DMV number 7110205 and New York City Department of Consumer Affairs license number 1389419.
- Can you tow a loaded tractor trailer?
- Yes. Tell us the weight and the load when you call so the right heavy wrecker is sent. We tow straight trucks, buses, and tractor trailers loaded or empty.
- Do you set up accounts for commercial fleets and dealerships?
- Yes. Call 516-362-5350 and ask for fleet service. We tow for fleets, dealerships, repair shops, and property managers across Nassau County and the Queens border.
- Will you tow my car if I am not with it?
- Yes, with your authorization and the vehicle details. This is common for dealership pickups, repair shop moves, and cars left at a lot after a breakdown.
- What should I do while I wait for the tow truck?
- Stay with the vehicle if it is safe, turn on your hazards, keep your phone on, and stand well off the road and away from traffic if you are on a busy street. Do not accept a tow from a truck you did not call.
- Can I ride in the tow truck?
- Often, yes. It depends on the truck and the situation. Ask the driver when they arrive.
- Do you tow at night and on holidays?
- Yes. The fleet runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
- How far will you tow a car?
- Anywhere on Long Island, into the five boroughs, and out of state. Long distance towing is quoted by mileage and vehicle type. Call with the pickup and drop-off addresses.
- My electric car ran out of charge. What now?
- Call for a flatbed. There is no roadside charge-up equivalent to fuel delivery, so we carry the car to the nearest charger or to your home. Never let an EV be dragged on two wheels.
- What parts do you use for collision repair?
- Factory parts for structural components, airbag sensors, and anything the driver-assistance cameras depend on. Aftermarket or recycled parts only where they are appropriate for cosmetic work, and we tell you which is used on every line of the estimate.
- Do you recalibrate cameras and sensors after a repair?
- Yes, on vehicles that have them. Lane-keeping cameras, radar, and parking sensors that were disturbed by the damage or the repair are recalibrated before the car is returned.
- What do I need to bring to pick up my car?
- A government photo ID, the registration or title, and the insurance claim number if there is one. If someone else is picking up, they need the owner's signed authorization and their own ID.
- Do you tow classic cars and lowered cars?
- Yes, on a flatbed with boards under the ramps so a low spoiler or lip never touches the deck, and wheel straps rather than frame hooks. Tell us what the car is when you call.
- Do you work on luxury and European cars?
- Yes. We repair all makes and models, and the shop holds Infiniti and Acura certifications among others. Paint is matched by factory code and blended so the repair is invisible.
- Can you tow a car with no wheels or a broken axle?
- Yes. A vehicle that cannot roll is winched onto a flatbed with dollies or skates under the damaged corner. Tell us what is wrong with it when you call so the driver brings the right gear.
- How do I leave a review for Macarthur?
- Open the Macarthur Auto Body and Towing listing on Google Maps and tap Write a review, or use the review link on this page. The reviews on this page come from that listing.
Did not see your question? Ask a person.
Call Macarthur for a Tow Truck or a Collision Estimate
Towing 24 hours a day. Estimates during shop hours. 16 certifications on the wall. 149 towns covered.
Call 516-362-5350