What Full Coverage Car Insurance Actually Covers for Towing

Full coverage does not automatically include towing — you have to add it as a separate option

Full coverage means you have both collision and comprehensive insurance, which covers damage to your own car from accidents and weather. Towing is not part of that bundle. You pay extra for roadside information or towing coverage, and the amount you get back depends on which one you choose and how your policy is written.

The confusion happens because insurance companies use different names for the same thing, and because some policies bundle towing into roadside information without calling it out. When you buy a policy, towing is listed as a separate line item with a separate cost — usually between $3 and $15 per month, depending on your insurer and the coverage limit you pick.

If you do not add towing coverage and your car breaks down on the highway, your insurance will not pay for the tow truck. You will pay out of pocket, or you will call a roadside service like AAA if you are a member.

Key Takeaways

• Full coverage (collision and comprehensive) does not include towing; you must add it separately when you buy or renew your policy.
• Towing coverage typically pays $50 to $200 per tow, depending on the limit you choose, and covers breakdowns, accidents, and lockouts.
• Roadside information is a broader option that includes towing plus jump-starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery, usually for $5 to $15 per month.
• If you do not have towing coverage, you pay the full tow bill yourself, which can range from $75 to $300 or more depending on distance.
• Some credit cards and memberships like AAA include towing, so check what you already have before paying for it twice.

The difference between towing coverage and roadside information

Towing coverage pays for a tow truck to move your car to a repair shop after a breakdown, accident, or other damage. The insurer sets a dollar limit per tow — commonly $100, $150, or $200 — and you pay that amount toward the bill. If the tow costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, you pay only what it actually costs.

Roadside information is broader. It includes towing, but also jump-starts for a dead battery, lockout service if you lock your keys in the car, fuel delivery if you run out of gas, and sometimes tire changes. The cost is usually a few dollars more per month than towing alone, and the coverage limits are the same — you get a set dollar amount per incident.

Some insurers call roadside information "emergency road service" or bundle it under a different name. When you get a quote, look for the line that says "towing" or "roadside information" and check what services are included. If the quote does not list it, it is not there.

What towing coverage actually pays for

Towing coverage pays when your car cannot be driven and needs to go to a repair facility. That includes breakdowns (engine failure, transmission problems), accidents where the car is not drivable, flat tires that cannot be changed on the road, and lockouts if you cannot get into the car. It also covers situations where your car is stuck — in a ditch, in snow, or wedged somewhere — and needs a tow truck to pull it out.

Towing coverage does not pay for labor at the repair shop, parts, or any work done after the car arrives. It pays only to get the car from where it is to where it needs to go. The insurer usually has a network of tow companies it works with, and you call your insurance company first. They dispatch a tow truck and handle the payment directly with the tower.

The coverage limit matters. If your policy says $100 per tow and the tow costs $150, you owe $50. If you live far from repair shops — in a rural area or on the edge of a city — a long-distance tow can easily exceed a $100 limit. In that case, a higher limit like $200 or $300 makes sense.

How much towing coverage costs and what limits are available

Towing coverage typically costs between $3 and $15 per month, depending on your insurer and the coverage limit you choose. A $100 limit is usually the cheapest option. A $200 limit costs a few dollars more. Some insurers offer $300 or $500 limits for customers in rural areas or those who want extra protection.

The monthly cost is small, but it adds up over a year. At $10 per month, you pay $120 per year. A single tow that costs $150 to $200 pays for itself, so the question is whether you think you will need a tow in the next year or two. If your car is older and breaks down often, or if you drive in winter weather where getting stuck is common, the coverage is worth the cost. If your car is new and reliable, you might skip it and pay out of pocket if something happens.

Roadside information costs a bit more — usually $5 to $20 per month — because it includes more services. The math is the same: add up what you pay in a year and compare it to what a single incident would cost you.

When your insurance will not pay for towing

If you do not have towing coverage on your policy, your insurer will not pay for any tow, no matter what happened. That is the most common reason a tow bill lands on you instead of your insurance company.

Even if you do have towing coverage, the insurer will not pay if the tow is for something outside the policy — for example, if you ran out of gas and need a tow to a gas station, some policies cover that under roadside information but not under towing alone. If you locked your keys in the car, towing coverage does not pay for a locksmith; roadside information does. Read your policy documents to see what is and is not covered.

Towing coverage also does not pay if you caused damage intentionally or if the car was being used for something not covered by your policy — for example, if you were using the car for commercial delivery work and your policy excludes that. These situations are rare, but they matter if they explore to you.

What to do if you need a tow and you have coverage

Call your insurance company first, not the tow truck. Your insurer has a network of approved towers and will dispatch one for you. They handle the payment directly with the tow company, so you do not have to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. You will pay only the difference between the tow cost and your coverage limit, if any.

Have your policy number ready when you call. Tell the insurer where your car is, where it needs to go (usually the nearest repair shop or a shop of your choice), and what happened. They will give you a confirmation number and tell you when the tow truck will arrive. Stay with your car or move to a safe place and wait.

If you call a tow company directly without going through your insurer, you will pay the full bill and then have to file a claim to get reimbursed. That takes longer and you have to pay out of pocket first. Always call your insurer first.

Alternatives if you do not have towing coverage

If you do not have towing coverage through your insurance, check whether you have it through something else. Many credit cards include roadside information or towing as a cardholder benefit. AAA membership includes towing — usually up to 100 miles — and costs around $50 to $150 per year depending on the membership level. Some employers offer roadside information as an employee benefit.

If you do not have coverage through any of those sources and you need a tow, you will pay the tow company directly. The cost depends on distance and the tow company's rates. A local tow within a few miles might cost $75 to $150. A long-distance tow can cost $200 to $500 or more. You can call multiple tow companies to compare prices before you choose one.

If you are stranded and do not have time to shop around, call a tow company and ask for their rate before they dispatch a truck. Most will tell you the cost over the phone. That way you know what you are paying before the truck arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does comprehensive and collision insurance include towing?

No. Comprehensive and collision cover damage to your car, but towing is a separate add-on. You have to choose it and pay for it separately when you buy your policy. Check your declarations page to see if you have it.

What if the tow costs more than my coverage limit?

You pay the difference. If your limit is $100 and the tow costs $180, your insurance pays $100 and you pay $80. If you live far from repair shops or drive in remote areas, a higher limit like $200 or $300 is worth the extra cost per month.

Can I use any tow truck or do I have to use my insurance company's network?

You can use any tow company, but if you use one outside your insurer's network, you will likely pay the full bill upfront and then file a claim for reimbursement. Using your insurer's network is faster because they pay the tower directly and you pay only your share.

Does towing coverage pay for a locksmith if I lock my keys in the car?

Towing coverage alone does not. Roadside information does. If you only have towing coverage and you lock your keys in, you will have to pay a locksmith out of pocket. Roadside information includes lockout service, so if you think this might happen, that option is worth the extra cost.

If I have AAA, do I still need towing coverage on my insurance?

It depends on your AAA membership level and how far you drive. Basic AAA covers tows up to 100 miles. If you live in a rural area or drive long distances regularly, your insurance towing coverage can cover longer tows. Having both means you have backup if one is unavailable, but you do not have to pay for both if one is enough for your situation.