Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?

Whether insurance covers your tow depends entirely on what’s in your specific policy — there’s no universal answer, but the pattern is predictable once you know what to look for.

Standard Liability Insurance: Usually No

If you carry the state-minimum liability-only policy, towing typically isn’t included. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to others in an accident — it doesn’t cover your own vehicle’s transport, whether that’s after a breakdown or a collision you caused.

Collision or Comprehensive Coverage: Often Yes, for Accidents

If your policy includes collision coverage (for accidents) or comprehensive coverage (for non-collision events like theft, fire, or weather damage), the tow to a repair facility is frequently included as part of that claim. In practice, this means: if you’re in an accident and file a collision claim, ask your insurer or the responding tow operator whether the tow can be billed directly to the claim rather than paid out of pocket.

Roadside Assistance Add-Ons: A Separate Coverage

Many insurers sell an optional roadside assistance or towing endorsement separate from collision/comprehensive coverage, typically priced around $14–$74 per year. This add-on usually covers a set number of service calls per year — towing, jump-starts, lockouts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery — often up to a mileage cap (commonly 10–15 miles) before you’re responsible for additional per-mile charges. This is worth having if you don’t already carry a AAA-style membership, since it’s typically cheaper on an annual basis.

Manufacturer and Membership Coverage

New vehicles frequently come with a manufacturer roadside assistance program bundled into the warranty for a set number of years or miles — check your owner’s manual or the paperwork from purchase. Separately, memberships like AAA provide roadside coverage independent of your insurance policy, usually with a set number of covered calls per year regardless of vehicle.

How to Actually Find Out What You Have

The fastest way to know your real coverage is to check your policy’s declarations page (the summary page listing what you’re covered for) or call your insurer’s customer service line and ask directly: “Does my policy include towing or roadside assistance, and if so, what’s the coverage limit?” Keep that answer handy — in an actual roadside emergency is not the time to be reading fine print.

What to Do When You Call for a Tow

You don’t need insurance confirmation before calling dispatch — call first, get your vehicle handled, and sort out reimbursement afterward if your policy covers it. Keep your tow receipt regardless; most insurers require it for reimbursement on a covered claim.