Does car insurance cover towing?
It depends
Towing after a breakdown is only covered if the policy has a separate roadside-assistance or towing endorsement — standard liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage don't include it.
- Covered when The tow follows a covered accident (collision or comprehensive claim) — many insurers roll tow-to-shop costs into the claim itself.
- Not when The policy doesn't include a roadside-assistance or towing-and-labor endorsement.
- Not when The driver already has towing coverage through a separate membership (like AAA) or the vehicle manufacturer's roadside program, and the auto policy add-on was never purchased.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
The tow follows a covered accident (collision or comprehensive claim) — many insurers roll tow-to-shop costs into the claim itself.
- Not covered when
The policy doesn't include a roadside-assistance or towing-and-labor endorsement.
- Not covered when
The driver already has towing coverage through a separate membership (like AAA) or the vehicle manufacturer's roadside program, and the auto policy add-on was never purchased.
Key facts
- Verdict
- It depends
- Applies to
- towing · Auto insurance
- Covered when
- The tow follows a covered accident (collision or comprehensive claim) — many insurers roll tow-to-shop costs into the claim itself.
- Not covered when
- The policy doesn't include a roadside-assistance or towing-and-labor endorsement.
- Verified
- 2026-07-02 · 2 primary sources
Towing coverage isn't part of the standard liability, collision, or comprehensive coverages on an auto policy — it's an optional add-on, usually called roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage, priced separately and often just a few dollars a month.
When that endorsement is on the policy, it typically pays for towing after a breakdown (flat tire, dead battery, mechanical failure) up to a per-incident dollar limit, along with related roadside help like jump-starts and lockout service.
Towing that happens as part of an accident claim — getting a wrecked car to a body shop after a covered collision or comprehensive loss — is usually handled separately as part of that claim, not through the roadside-assistance endorsement.
What people typically pay
With a towing-and-labor endorsement, a covered breakdown tow is typically paid up to the per-incident limit, with the add-on itself often costing just a few dollars a month. For a tow rolled into an accident claim, it's usually covered as part of that loss, sometimes after your deductible. Exact limits and pricing vary by plan and state.
Without any towing coverage, tow costs vary widely and are typically priced by a hookup fee plus per-mile charges, with long-distance, heavy-duty, or specialized recovery costing more. Get the total cost before authorizing the tow.
Actual amounts vary widely by region, time of day, distance, and vehicle type, and per-incident coverage limits differ by plan and state.
How to actually get it covered
Read your declarations page and look for a line labeled 'roadside assistance' or 'towing and labor' — if it isn't listed, the tow isn't covered by that endorsement and you'll need to add it or use another program.
If a breakdown just happened, call your insurer's roadside number (often on the insurance card or app) before hiring a tow, so they can dispatch a provider or explain the reimbursement rules.
If you must arrange your own tow, keep the itemized receipt showing mileage and charges, then file for reimbursement up to your per-incident limit.
If the tow follows a crash or theft, open a collision or comprehensive claim instead and ask the adjuster to include the tow-to-shop cost in that claim.
Ask specifically how far the coverage tows the vehicle and to which facility, so you aren't stuck paying extra to reach a preferred shop.
If you don't have the endorsement, check whether a AAA membership, credit card, or manufacturer roadside program already covers you before paying out of pocket.
Common questions
How much does adding towing and labor coverage to my policy cost?
The roadside or towing-and-labor endorsement is usually inexpensive, often just a few dollars per vehicle per month. It caps what the insurer pays per tow at a per-incident dollar limit, so a long or specialized tow can still leave you owing the difference. Exact pricing and limits vary by insurer, plan, and state.
If I total my car in a crash, who pays to tow it to the body shop?
When the tow follows a covered collision or comprehensive loss, most insurers fold the tow-to-shop cost into that claim rather than the roadside endorsement. That means it's typically handled as part of that loss without needing the separate towing add-on, though it may be subject to your claim deductible. This is different from a breakdown tow, which the endorsement covers.
Does the towing endorsement cover a tow to any shop I choose?
Coverage details vary by plan, but towing-and-labor coverage is generally limited by a per-incident dollar or mileage cap. If you ask to be towed farther than the coverage allows, you may have to pay the difference yourself. Confirm the specific cap on your endorsement before the tow.
I already have AAA — do I need the towing add-on too?
Not necessarily. If you already have roadside coverage through a separate membership like AAA or a manufacturer's program, buying the auto-policy endorsement may duplicate coverage you already have. Whether it's worth carrying both depends on cost and how each program works — check what your existing coverage already includes before adding the endorsement.
Does using my roadside towing coverage count as a claim against me?
How insurers treat roadside assistance use varies by company and state, and practices differ from how at-fault accident claims are handled. If you're concerned about how using the benefit could affect your premium or renewal, ask your insurer directly about their policy.
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