Does Your Car Insurance Cover Towing and Roadside Help

Most car insurance policies do not include towing unless you add it

Towing is not part of your standard car insurance coverage. The three main types of car insurance — liability, collision, and comprehensive — pay for damage to your car or someone else's after an accident or theft. Towing after a breakdown, accident, or other roadside problem is a separate service you have to pay for unless you add it to your policy.

You can add towing coverage to almost any policy, usually for a small monthly fee. Some insurers call it "roadside information" or "towing and labor." The coverage works the same way: you call your insurance company or a roadside service number, and they send a tow truck to you. The insurer pays the towing company directly, and you pay nothing at the scene.

If you do not have towing coverage and your car breaks down or gets stuck, you pay the tow truck driver out of pocket. A typical tow can cost $75 to $150 for a short distance, and much more if you need a long-distance haul or specialized equipment.

Key Takeaways

• Towing coverage is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy, not included in standard liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage.
• Adding towing to your policy usually costs $5 to $15 per month, depending on your insurer and the distance limit.
• With towing coverage, you call your insurer or the roadside service number on your insurance card, and the company pays the tow truck directly.
• Without towing coverage, you pay the tow truck driver in full at the scene, which typically runs $75 to $150 for a short tow.
• Some credit card companies and roadside membership programs like AAA offer towing at no extra cost through your car insurance policy.

How towing coverage works when you need it

When your car breaks down, gets into an accident, or gets stuck, you call the roadside service number printed on your insurance card. You give them your location, the problem, and your policy number. They dispatch a tow truck to you, usually within 30 to 60 minutes depending on where you are.

The tow truck driver arrives, hooks up your car, and tows it to a repair shop or your home — wherever you ask. You do not pay the driver. The towing company bills your insurance company, and your insurer pays them. You may have a small deductible (often $0 to $100) that you pay when the service arrives, or you may pay nothing at all.

Most towing coverage includes a distance limit, usually 5 to 100 miles depending on the plan you choose. If your car needs to go farther than your limit, you pay the extra cost. Some policies also include "labor" — a mechanic's time to change a tire, jump-start your battery, or unlock your car — at no extra charge.

What towing coverage costs and what it covers

Adding towing to your policy typically costs $5 to $15 per month. The exact price depends on your insurer, your location, and how far the coverage extends. A 5-mile limit costs less than a 100-mile limit. Some insurers bundle towing with other roadside services like lockout help, fuel delivery, or winching, which may cost slightly more.

When you add towing, you choose a distance limit at the time you sign up. Common limits are 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 miles. If your car breaks down 30 miles from home and your limit is 25 miles, you pay for the extra 5 miles yourself. If your limit is 100 miles, the entire tow is covered.

Towing coverage pays for the tow truck service itself — the cost to hook up your car and move it. It does not pay for repairs to your car, fuel, or a rental car while yours is being fixed. Those are separate coverages you can add if you want them.

When towing coverage does and does not explore

Towing coverage works for breakdowns, accidents, and getting stuck — situations where your car cannot move on its own. It covers a dead battery, a flat tire, an engine failure, being stuck in snow or mud, or damage from an accident. It also covers lockouts if your roadside plan includes that service.

Towing coverage does not explore if you run out of fuel, if you need a tow because of a traffic violation or parking problem, or if your car is impounded by police. Some policies exclude towing if you were driving recklessly or if the damage was intentional. Read your policy or call your insurer to know what is and is not covered under your specific plan.

If you cause an accident and your car needs to be towed, your towing coverage still applies. The tow is separate from the accident claim. Your collision or comprehensive coverage pays to fix the damage, and your towing coverage pays to move the car to the repair shop.

Alternatives to insurance towing coverage

You do not have to buy towing through your car insurance. Several other options exist, and some people use them instead of or alongside insurance coverage.

AAA and roadside membership programs offer towing for a yearly fee, usually $50 to $150 per year depending on the membership level. AAA members get towing as part of their membership. These programs work similarly to insurance towing: you call the number on your card, and they send a tow truck. The main difference is that you pay a yearly fee upfront rather than a monthly insurance premium.

Credit card roadside benefits are included with some premium credit cards at no extra cost. If your card offers roadside information, you can call the number on the back of your card and request a tow. You do not pay anything if the benefit is included. Check your card's benefits guide to see if towing is part of your plan.

Paying out of pocket is an option if you rarely drive long distances or if you have a reliable car. A single tow might cost $100 to $200, so if you only need one every few years, the total cost could be less than paying for coverage you do not use. This works best if you have savings set aside for emergencies.

How to add towing to your policy

To add towing coverage, contact your car insurance company directly. You can call the customer service number on your insurance card, log into your online account and make changes there, or email your agent. Tell them you want to add towing coverage and ask what distance limit options are available.

Your insurer will quote you a monthly price for each distance limit. Choose the one that fits your budget and your driving habits. If you drive 50 miles to work, a 50-mile limit might not be enough; a 100-mile limit gives you a cushion. If you mostly drive locally, a 10 or 25-mile limit may be sufficient.

The change usually takes effect when ready or within a few days. Your insurer will send you an updated insurance card with the roadside service number printed on it. Keep that card in your car. When you need a tow, call that number, not your regular insurance line.

What to do if you need a tow and do not have coverage

If you do not have towing coverage and your car breaks down, you have a few options. You can call a local towing company directly and pay them out of pocket. Search online for "towing near me" or ask a police officer or passing driver for a recommendation. Expect to pay $75 to $150 for a short tow, more for longer distances.

If you belong to AAA or another roadside program, call their number instead. You may be covered even if you do not have insurance towing. If you have a premium credit card, check the back of the card for a roadside information number and call that.

If your car was damaged in an accident and the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance may pay for the tow. Ask the police officer at the scene or contact the other driver's insurer to ask. Do not assume this will happen — it is faster to pay for the tow yourself and sort out reimbursement later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does collision or comprehensive coverage include towing?

No. Collision and comprehensive coverage pay to repair or replace your car after damage, but they do not pay for towing. You need a separate towing coverage add-on or a roadside membership program to cover the cost of moving your car.

What if I tow my car farther than my coverage limit?

You pay the extra cost out of pocket. If your limit is 25 miles and you need a 40-mile tow, your insurance covers the first 25 miles and you pay for the remaining 15 miles. This is why choosing the right distance limit when you sign up matters.

Can I use my insurance towing more than once?

Yes. Towing coverage is not a one-time benefit. You can use it as many times as you need during your policy period. There is no limit on the number of tows, though some insurers may investigate if you request towing very frequently.

Does towing coverage work if I break down on a highway far from home?

Yes, as long as the distance is within your coverage limit. If you have a 100-mile limit and break down 80 miles from home, the entire tow is covered. If you break down 150 miles away, you pay for the miles beyond your limit.

What happens if my car is towed by police and impounded?

Insurance towing coverage does not cover police impounds or tows ordered by law enforcement. You would need to pay the impound lot directly to retrieve your car. Contact the police department or the impound lot to find out the cost and how to pay.