Does Car Insurance Cover Towing in 2026?

If you've been involved in an accident or have experienced a sudden breakdown, you might be stranded on the side of the road. At times like these, it's critical to know how to get your vehicle towed to a safe location, such as a repair shop. But whether your car insurance covers towing and other roadside services depends on the specific types of coverage you have.

Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you review your car insurance policy to determine if you have towing coverage. They can help you get a towing coverage add-on if necessary. But first, here's an overview of when, how, and if car insurance covers towing.

When Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?

Your auto insurance applies to towing if you have the proper coverage in your policy. Getting a car towed is not cheap, so it's beneficial to know whether your insurance covers this kind of emergency service. In fact, the current average cost of a tow is at least $99. Fortunately, your coverage might be able to reimburse you for one. Essentially, there are two instances when your car insurance can cover towing.

The first is whether your policy includes towing and roadside assistance coverage. When you set up your auto insurance policy, the insurance agent should ask you if you want to add towing and roadside assistance, which is an optional endorsement. In many insurance policies, it may already be included as an add-on unless you decline this coverage. If you have towing coverage, your auto insurance will cover a tow up to a certain amount, which is the limit you choose on your tow coverage. Note that drivers who have minimum or liability-only coverage won't have breakdown towing coverage unless they add a roadside assistance endorsement.

The second scenario in which car insurance covers towing is if you get into an accident and your car is not drivable. When this happens, your insurance company can pay to have your car towed to a safe location so it's not left on the street. In such a case, it doesn't matter whether you have car insurance towing coverage; it's included in your overall auto policy. 

What Does Towing and Roadside Assistance Cover?

A towing and roadside assistance add-on can cover the cost of tows, which typically average $99, lockout services, which average $75, and jump starts, which average $75. If you added the towing and roadside assistance endorsement to your car insurance, or if your policy already includes this coverage, it provides a lot of helpful protection. The exact services and coverage limits included in towing and roadside assistance coverage vary by policy and insurer, but in general, you can expect to find coverage for:

• Towing
• Tire changes or flat tire fixes
• Locksmith/key replacement
• Mechanical labor
• Jump starts 
• Fuel delivery
• Winching (i.e., pulling your car out of mud, snow, ditches, etc.)
• Trip interruptions (e.g., reimbursement for food and lodging if you're stranded more than 50 miles away from home)

Ask your independent insurance agent to review your auto insurance policy with you to ensure you're set up with towing and roadside assistance coverage in case you ever need it.

How Does Towing Coverage Work?

If you have towing coverage and your car breaks down, you can call your insurance company, which will then send a tow truck from its approved list of vendors to pick up your car. Once the towing company arrives, you'll have to sign some paperwork, and they'll tow your car to their facility. On most occasions, you'll pay for the tow yourself and then get reimbursed by your car insurance company. You'll then work with your carrier to get your car fixed and drivable again.

Note that towing coverage doesn't work like most insurance policies, which include a deductible. When you purchase towing coverage, you pay a maximum limit for the amount your policy will reimburse you for towing a vehicle. This could be a towing coverage mileage limit (e.g., 15-100 miles, depending on your plan tier) or cash amount (e.g., $50-$100 per day). So, your insurance will cover the cost of towing your car up to this limit, which may be up to 50 miles or $500. It depends on the specific terms of your policy. 

Understand what your tow limit is ahead of time, and that some policies cap your roadside call limit to three to four per year. Then, if you ever need a tow, you won't be surprised by the potential cost. Also, remember that your insurance company will tow your car if it's not drivable after an accident. Should you get into a collision with another car or object, your insurance will cover the total price of the tow as part of your collision insurance.

Does Liability-Only Car Insurance Cover Towing?

No, liability insurance only covers bodily injuries and personal property damage you cause to third parties with your vehicle, not physical damage to your own vehicle or towing costs. Drivers with minimum coverage who experience a breakdown must pay out of pocket or use a separate auto club membership to cover the cost of a tow. You can also talk to an independent insurance agent about upgrading to a full coverage auto policy and adding a towing coverage endorsement.

Do You Pay a Deductible for Towing Coverage?

Not if you have roadside assistance coverage, which doesn't have a deductible. For a tow, you won't pay anything out of your pocket up to your policy's coverage limits. Past this amount, however, you might have to pay to cover the difference.

Comprehensive and collision tows, however, apply your full deductible (e.g., $500-$1,000). If the tow costs less than your deductible, you won't be able to file a claim, and you'll have to pay the full service cost yourself. Ask your independent insurance agent to help you review your policy to determine your specific towing coverage deductible.

Does the At-Fault Driver's Insurance Cover My Tow?

If you get into an accident and the other driver is at fault, their car insurance may cover the cost of towing your vehicle. In such a case, the other driver's liability coverage might pay for this expense. But if the accident is your fault or you need a tow for another reason, you'll likely be responsible for covering the cost yourself or getting reimbursement through your own insurance.

It's also helpful to consider a scenario in which the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, or if fault for the accident is disputed. In such a case, you can use your own collision coverage or roadside assistance endorsement to cover the cost of the tow.

If My Car Gets Towed Against My Will, Does Car Insurance Cover Impound Fees?

It's not likely. Say your car got towed because you parked in a no-parking zone without being aware of it. Unfortunately, in instances like this, car insurance won't reimburse you for the cost of the tow or any impound or lot fees. Act quickly and retrieve your car ASAP if it's been impounded to reduce your costs as much as possible. Typical impound storage fees range from $50-$100 per day and can add up quickly. However, some credit cards with travel benefits can help reimburse you for these costs.

Is Using Roadside Assistance Considered an Insurance Claim?

No, roadside calls are classified by your insurer as service dispatches, not loss events. As such, a professional tow won't appear on your claims history and won't trigger a premium rate increase when your policy renews. However, keep in mind that your auto coverage may place a cap on the number of roadside calls you're permitted each year, such as three or four. If you exceed this limit, your insurer may drop your roadside assistance coverage.

FAQs About Car Insurance Towing Coverage

The Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agent

You might not know whether your existing car insurance includes towing and roadside assistance, or you may just be starting to look for the right coverage. Either way, an independent insurance agent can help you find all the coverage you need. They'll get you matched to the policy that offers the best overall blend of coverage and cost. These agents can shop and compare roadside assistance add-ons across multiple carriers to find the best fit for each driver. And down the road, they'll be there to help you file claims or update your coverage as necessary.