Stranded on the side of the road is the last place anyone wants to be. The immediate stress of a breakdown or accident is quickly followed by a practical, and often expensive, question: who is going to pay for the tow truck? The uncertainty surrounding whether your auto policy steps in to help can add a significant financial worry to an already difficult situation.

This guide cuts through the confusion, leveraging a deep analysis of insurance policy structures and common scenarios to provide a definitive answer on when you can rely on your insurance for a tow. We will unpack the exact coverages you need, the situations where they apply, what is almost always excluded, and the precise steps to take to ensure you are covered, saving you from costly out-of-pocket expenses when you need help the most.

Contents

Key Facts

Coverage is Rarely Standard: Towing assistance is typically not included in a basic liability policy; it’s an optional add-on you must elect to purchase.
Roadside Assistance is Affordable: Data shows that adding this valuable coverage often costs between just $10 and $50 per year, a small fraction of a single tow bill.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Are High: The average cost of a single tow is around $109, with per-mile charges ranging from $2.50 to $7.00, demonstrating the clear financial benefit of having coverage.
Accident Towing May Be Included: If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, the cost to tow your vehicle after a covered accident is often included as part of the overall claim.
Basic Liability is Not Enough: Standard auto liability insurance, which is the legal minimum in most states, does not cover towing expenses for your own vehicle; it only covers damages you cause to others.

Does Car Insurance Cover Towing? The Definitive 2025 Guide

Yes, car insurance can cover towing, but it’s not automatic. Coverage typically requires an optional add-on like roadside assistance for breakdowns or may be included under collision or comprehensive coverage after a covered accident. The simple truth is that whether your policy helps depends entirely on the type of coverage you have and the specific reason you need a tow. A standard, liability-only policy—the minimum required by law in most places—will almost certainly not cover the cost of towing your own vehicle. To get this protection, you need to have either a specific endorsement added to your car insurance policy or have a more robust policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage. It is crucial to understand these distinctions, as the difference can be a surprise bill for over a hundred dollars. The extent of coverage, the distance of the tow, and the services included can also vary significantly between insurers.

does car insurance cover towing

To make it crystal clear, understanding how car insurance covers towing starts with the scenario you’re in. The answer for a flat tire is very different from the answer for a multi-car accident. This at-a-glance table breaks down the most common situations and the type of insurance that typically applies.

Scenario	Is Towing Likely Covered?	What Coverage Applies?
Mechanical Breakdown (Engine Failure)	Yes	Roadside Assistance / Towing & Labor
Flat Tire / Dead Battery	Yes	Roadside Assistance / Towing & Labor
Car Accident (Your Fault)	Yes	Collision Coverage
Car Accident (Other Driver’s Fault)	Yes	The At-Fault Driver’s Liability Coverage
Theft, Vandalism, or Storm Damage	Yes	Comprehensive Coverage
Ran Out of Fuel	Yes	Roadside Assistance (for service, not fuel)

So, when you need a tow, which part of your policy actually steps in? Let’s break it down.

When Towing is Covered: Roadside Assistance Add-Ons

The most common way to get towing coverage is by adding Roadside Assistance to your policy. This affordable option covers non-accident events like breakdowns, dead batteries, and flat tires, often including towing up to a specific mileage limit. This coverage, sometimes called “Towing and Labor” or “Emergency Roadside Service,” is designed specifically for those frustrating moments when your car lets you down due to a mechanical issue, not a collision. For a small annual fee, you gain peace of mind knowing that help is just a phone call away. This is the primary way your car insurance covers towing for everyday vehicle problems.

Think of it as a safety net for the unexpected. Instead of frantically searching for a local tow company and bracing for a hefty bill, you simply contact your insurer. Based on extensive data from multiple providers, this optional add-on typically includes a suite of valuable services designed to get you back on the road.

Towing Services: This is the core benefit. If your car is disabled, the policy will cover towing to a nearby repair shop. The key detail here is the distance limit.
Jump-Starts: For those mornings when you find your car with a dead battery, this service will send someone to give you a jump-start.
Flat Tire Changes: If you get a flat, coverage will dispatch a professional to change the tire for you, provided you have a functional spare in your vehicle.
Fuel Delivery: If you run out of gas, the service will bring you enough fuel to get to the nearest gas station. Note that you typically have to pay for the fuel itself, but the delivery service is covered.
Lockout Services: Accidentally locking your keys in your car is a common headache. This service will help you get back into your vehicle.
Winching Services: If your car gets stuck in mud, snow, sand, or water near a road, winching service can pull your vehicle out.

Pro Tip: For just $10 to $50 a year, this coverage can save you from a towing bill that averages over $100. Given that out-of-pocket towing costs can run from $2.50 to $7.00 per mile, the value of this small addition to your policy is immense.

The expertise demonstrated by insurers in this area is clear from their specific offerings. For instance, an analysis of Progressive’s policy shows they offer towing within a 15-mile radius or to the closest qualified shop if one isn’t available within that range. Travelers provides even more flexibility, with a basic plan for 15 miles and a Premier Roadside Assistance option that extends coverage up to 100 miles. GEICO’s approach is slightly different, as they specify towing to the nearest facility where necessary repairs can be performed. This research shows that while the core service is similar, the details of your car insurance towing coverage matter.

A tow truck preparing to tow a car, illustrating the concept of does car insurance cover towing

How Accidents and Other Damage Can Trigger Towing Coverage

Even without a roadside assistance add-on, your policy may cover towing after an accident. Collision coverage typically pays for towing after a crash, while comprehensive coverage handles it for non-collision events like theft or vandalism. This is a critical distinction many drivers miss. While roadside assistance is for breakdowns, the core components of your auto policy—collision and comprehensive—are designed to handle the aftermath of more significant damage. In these cases, the tow is considered part of the overall cost of the claim to get your vehicle repaired. Understanding how this works is key to navigating a stressful post-accident situation and ensuring your auto insurance tow benefits are fully utilized.

Think of collision and comprehensive as the coverages for the damage itself; the tow to fix that damage is often part of the package. Let’s look at how each of these coverages applies to towing expenses and what happens when another driver is the cause of the incident.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is the part of your car insurance policy that pays to repair or replace your vehicle after it’s damaged in a collision with another vehicle or an object (like a fence or a guardrail). If your car is rendered inoperable after a covered incident, the cost to tow it from the scene of the accident to a repair facility is generally included under your collision claim. This ensures that you aren’t left with an additional out-of-pocket expense on top of your deductible and the stress of the accident itself. The key here is that the towing must be a direct result of a covered collision.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage, sometimes called “other than collision,” protects your vehicle from damage caused by non-collision events. This includes things like theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, or natural disasters such as floods or hail. Similar to collision, if your car is damaged by one of these covered perils and can no longer be driven, your comprehensive coverage will typically pay for the tow to a garage. For example, if a tree limb falls on your car during a storm and shatters the windshield, making it unsafe to drive, comprehensive coverage would likely handle the towing bill.

If Another Driver is At Fault

What if the accident wasn’t your fault? In this scenario, the financial responsibility for your damages, including the cost of towing your vehicle, should fall on the other driver. The claim would be filed against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. Their policy is designed to cover the damages and injuries they cause to others. This means their insurance company should pay to have your inoperable vehicle towed from the scene without you having to pay anything upfront or file a claim on your own policy. This is a crucial piece of knowledge to have in the immediate aftermath of a crash.

What Car Insurance Typically Won’t Cover

Key exclusions for towing coverage include impound and storage fees, damage to vehicles you are towing (like trailers or boats), and situations where you only have minimum liability insurance without specific add-ons. While knowing when your car insurance covers towing is important, understanding its limits is just as critical to avoid unexpected and costly bills. Many drivers assume their policy is a catch-all solution, but insurance contracts are highly specific. There are several common scenarios and costs related to towing that are almost universally excluded from standard auto policies. Being aware of these limitations ahead of time can save you a significant amount of money and frustration.

It’s a common misconception that once your insurer approves a tow, they will cover any and all related charges. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The policy is designed to cover the direct cost of the tow itself, not the subsequent administrative or storage fees that can quickly accumulate. Here are the primary exclusions you need to be aware of.

Lack of Specific Coverage: This is the most fundamental exclusion. If you have only purchased the state-mandated minimum liability insurance, your policy will not cover towing expenses for your own vehicle. Standard auto liability is designed to pay for the damages or injuries you cause to other people, not for your own car’s issues. Without adding roadside assistance, or having collision and comprehensive coverage, you are on your own for any towing costs.
Towing Other Vehicles: Your personal car insurance policy is for your car only. It generally does not extend to cover vehicles you are towing behind it. This includes boats, motorcycles on a trailer, or even a rented moving trailer. Each towed vehicle typically needs its own insurance policy for coverage. If the trailer you are pulling sways and hits a guardrail, your car’s collision coverage won’t pay for the trailer’s repairs.
Impound and Storage Fees: This is a major pain point for many drivers. If your vehicle is towed to an impound lot after an accident or because it was parked improperly, auto insurance companies typically do not cover the impound release fees or the daily storage fees charged by the lot. These fees can add up quickly, so it is crucial to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible.
Other Policy Limits and Exclusions: Beyond these main points, policies often contain other specific limitations. These can include a cap on the number of roadside assistance calls you can make per year, exclusions for mechanical failures caused by poor maintenance or neglect, and denial of coverage for extreme off-road recovery situations. Furthermore, specialized vehicles like RVs or some motorcycles may require their own separate towing coverage. For example, Progressive notes that their boat coverage does not apply while on the water.

Quick Fact: A common mistake is assuming your car’s insurance extends to the trailer you’re pulling. In most cases, it doesn’t.

A car being towed on a flatbed, representing a scenario where does car insurance cover towing is a key question

How to Check Your Policy and Use Towing Coverage

To verify your towing coverage, review your policy or call your agent. When you need a tow, use your insurer’s dedicated roadside assistance number or mobile app to have a service dispatched or to confirm the process for reimbursement. Knowing you have coverage is one thing; knowing how to access it smoothly when you’re stranded is another. The process is generally straightforward, but taking the right steps can make the difference between a quick resolution and a frustrating claims process. The key is to be proactive in understanding your benefits before you ever need them and to follow the correct procedure when a problem arises.

This actionable plan is broken into two key phases: confirming what protection you already have and then activating that protection when the need for a tow occurs. Following these steps will ensure you are prepared and can use your car insurance towing benefits efficiently.

Confirming Your Coverage

Don’t wait until you’re on the shoulder of the highway to figure out what your policy includes. Taking a few minutes to confirm your coverage now can save you a world of trouble later.

Review Your Policy Documents: The most direct way to check for coverage is to look at your car insurance policy declaration page or the full document itself. Search for terms like “Roadside Assistance,” “Towing and Labor,” “Collision Coverage,” or “Comprehensive Coverage.” These sections will outline what is included, any applicable limits, and your deductible.
Contact Your Provider or Agent: If the documents are confusing, your best resource is your insurance agent or a customer service representative. They can pull up your policy and explain in plain language exactly what towing services you are entitled to, including any distance limits or service call maximums.
Check for Other Memberships: You might already have roadside assistance from another source without realizing it. Many people have coverage through motor clubs like AAA or even as a benefit from certain credit cards or new vehicle warranties. Checking these sources can help you avoid paying for redundant coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Requesting a Tow

When your car breaks down or you’re in an accident, stay calm and follow this procedure to use your coverage.

Contact Your Insurer First: Before you call a local tow truck, your first call should be to your insurance provider’s dedicated emergency roadside assistance number. This number is usually on your insurance card or in their mobile app.
Use the Mobile App: Many modern insurers, like GEICO, have streamlined this process with mobile apps. You can often request service directly from the app, which uses your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location, making for a faster dispatch.
Understand the Process: Your insurer will typically handle the situation in one of two ways. They may dispatch a tow truck from their own network of preferred vendors directly to you, in which case you usually pay nothing out-of-pocket. Alternatively, they may instruct you to arrange your own tow and then submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Get a Receipt: If you have to pay for the tow yourself, it is absolutely essential to get a detailed invoice or receipt from the towing company. You will need this official documentation to submit your claim and get reimbursed by your insurance company.

Pro Tip: Before you pay out-of-pocket for a tow, always call your insurer first. They may have a preferred network that can save you the hassle of filing for reimbursement.

To ensure you’re always prepared for a roadside emergency, consider investing in a quality roadside emergency kit. Having items like jumper cables, a tire inflator, and reflective triangles can sometimes help you solve a minor problem without needing a tow at all.

FAQs About Car Insurance and Towing

What does “towing and labor” mean in car insurance?

Towing and labor is an optional coverage you can add to your policy to help pay for services like towing, tire changes, and jump-starts if your car breaks down. It is essentially another name for roadside assistance coverage. This “labor” component refers to the work performed at the location of the breakdown, such as the labor involved in changing a flat tire or jump-starting a battery. It does not cover the cost of mechanical repairs at a garage.

Who pays for towing if an accident is the other driver’s fault?

If another driver caused the accident, their liability insurance is typically responsible for paying your vehicle’s towing costs. When another party is clearly at fault for a collision that damages your car, you should file a claim against their insurance policy. Their liability coverage is designed to pay for the damages they caused, which includes the reasonable cost to tow your undrivable vehicle from the accident scene to a repair shop.

Does roadside assistance cover towing from my home?

Generally, yes. Roadside assistance coverage applies to breakdowns regardless of location, including if your car won’t start at your home. Most policies do not restrict coverage to public roads. If your car’s battery is dead in your driveway or the engine won’t turn over in your garage, you can typically use your roadside assistance benefit to get a jump-start or a tow to your preferred mechanic.

Is there a limit to how far my insurance will tow my car?

Yes, policies typically have a towing limit, such as a 15-mile radius or to the nearest qualified shop. You may have to pay for any mileage beyond that limit. This is one of the most important details to check in your policy. As an example of insurer-specific rules, Progressive often covers towing within 15 miles, while certain plans from Travelers can cover up to 100 miles. GEICO’s policy is to tow to the nearest facility where repairs can be made. If you request a tow to a shop farther away, you will be responsible for the extra mileage charges.

Final Summary: Key Takeaways on Towing Coverage

In summary, your car insurance can be a powerful tool to protect you from the high costs of towing, but only if you have the right coverage in place. The answer to “does car insurance cover towing?” is a conditional yes—it hinges on whether you’ve proactively added roadside assistance for breakdowns or if you carry collision and comprehensive coverage for accidents and other major damage. Understanding this distinction is the key to being prepared and avoiding costly surprises.

Ultimately, the decision to add towing coverage comes down to balancing a small, predictable annual cost against a much larger, unexpected expense. For most drivers, the peace of mind and financial protection offered by a simple roadside assistance add-on is well worth the investment.

Towing is Not Automatic: Base liability policies do not include towing for your own vehicle. You must opt in with an add-on or have higher-level coverage.
Two Paths to Coverage: Roadside Assistance is for non-accident breakdowns, while Collision and Comprehensive coverage handle towing after a covered claim.
Know Your Limits: Be aware of common exclusions like impound fees and mileage caps, and understand that you can’t cover a trailer with your car’s policy.
Be Proactive: The best time to figure out your coverage is now, not when you’re stranded. A quick review of your policy or a call to your agent can provide all the clarity you need.

Don’t wait for a breakdown to find out you’re not covered. Take five minutes today to review your policy or call your agent. Ensuring you have the right protection in place is one of the smartest and most affordable ways to prepare for the unexpected on the road.

Last update on 2025-09-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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