> **Quick Answer:** AAA covers towing after an accident under all three membership tiers: Classic, Plus, and Premier. This is not a breakdown-only benefit. The difference between tiers is towing distance: Classic gives you 5 miles, Plus gives you 100 miles, and Premier gives you 200 miles. If your car is undriveable after a crash, call AAA first and sort out insurance reimbursement later.
## Does AAA Actually Pay for Towing After a Car Accident?
Yes, AAA covers accident towing. The membership benefit applies to any disablement of your vehicle, and AAA's own policy language includes collisions under that definition. You do not need to prove the car broke down mechanically. If it cannot be safely driven from the scene, the tow is covered.
What matters more than the cause of the disablement is your tier. Classic members get one free tow up to 5 miles per service call. That won't get you far from most crash scenes. Plus members get up to 100 miles per tow, which covers most in-city and suburban situations. Premier covers up to 200 miles, which starts to matter if you're out on a rural highway or interstate far from your shop of choice.
## How Far Will AAA Tow My Car After a Crash?
Your towing distance depends entirely on which membership tier you carry. Classic's 5-mile limit is the most common surprise people hit at an accident scene. The tow truck shows up, they assume they're covered to any destination, and then they get a bill for everything beyond the 5-mile threshold.
If you need to go beyond your covered distance, AAA will tow you to the nearest approved facility for free and charge per mile after that, or you can pay out of pocket for the extra distance. Rates for overage mileage vary by region but typically run $3 to $7 per mile beyond your covered limit. If you're on an interstate with no preferred shop nearby, that adds up fast. Knowing your tier before you're in a ditch is the only real preparation you can do.
## Should I Use AAA or My Car Insurance for Accident Towing?
Use AAA first, then check whether your insurance will reimburse the cost. Most auto insurance policies with comprehensive and collision coverage also include some form of roadside or towing coverage, but using it can sometimes create a record of a claim, even for a small tow. AAA use does not affect your insurance premium or claims history.
If the accident was caused by another driver, their liability coverage should eventually pay for your tow. But "eventually" is the key word. You need the car moved now, not after the claims adjuster settles things. Call AAA, get the car to your shop or a safe location, then work the insurance angle. For a deeper look at how insurance towing benefits actually pay out, see [does insurance cover towing if car is not driveable](/does-insurance-cover-towing-if-car-is-not-driveable/).
## How Many Times Can I Use AAA Towing in a Year?
AAA limits towing calls to four service calls per membership year per member, not per vehicle. That cap applies across all roadside services combined, including jump starts, fuel delivery, and lockouts. Towing after an accident uses one of those four calls.
If you exceed four calls, AAA can still dispatch a truck, but they may charge full rate. They can a
*Photo: Pexels*
lso, in some cases, offer to upgrade your membership or charge an overage fee rather than deny service. Some AAA regional clubs handle this slightly differently, so read your specific club's terms. The four-call limit is the national standard, but regional clubs like AAA Northeast or AAA Mountain West operate with some autonomy on the edges of that policy.
## What If the Accident Happens in a Spot AAA Won't Tow From?
AAA will tow from most accident locations, including highway shoulders, intersections, and parking lots. The exception is when the vehicle is inaccessible, such as down an embankment, in water, or stuck in a position that requires winching or off-road recovery equipment. Standard flatbed and wheel-lift trucks cannot safely recover a vehicle in those situations.
In those cases, you need a recovery service, not a standard tow. Recovery involves rigging, winching, and sometimes specialized equipment. AAA does not cover recovery services under its standard membership. You'd pay for that out of pocket, and costs vary widely. A winch-out from a ditch might run $150 to $300. A full recovery from an embankment can easily hit $500 or more depending on the terrain and equipment required. After recovery, AAA can then cover the standard tow from road level to your destination. If you're facing post-accident costs you didn't expect, the breakdown at [towing cost in Denver Colorado after accident](/towing-cost-denver-colorado-after-accident/) or [towing cost in Atlanta Georgia after accident](/towing-cost-atlanta-georgia-after-accident/) gives you a realistic picture of what to expect by market.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does AAA cover towing if the accident was my fault?**
A: Yes. AAA does not assign fault when dispatching a tow. Your membership benefit covers the tow regardless of who caused the crash.
**Q: Will using AAA after an accident count against my insurance?**
A: No. AAA is a membership service, not an insurance claim. Using it leaves no record with your auto insurer and has no effect on your premium.
**Q: Can I choose which shop AAA tows my car to after an accident?**
A: Yes, within your distance limit. You direct the driver to your preferred destination. If that destination is beyond your covered mileage, you pay the overage per mile.
**Q: Does AAA cover towing for a totaled car after an accident?**
A: Yes. If the car is undriveable, AAA will tow it. A totaled vehicle still needs to get to a shop or salvage yard, and AAA treats it the same as any other disablement call.
**Q: What if my AAA membership lapsed and I just had an accident?**
A: You cannot use a lapsed membership. Some regional clubs let you join on the spot with a waiting period before benefits activate, typically 24 to 72 hours. In that situation, pay out of pocket for the immediate tow and then check whether your auto insurance roadside benefit applies. Also check if your [car insurance covers the towing after the accident with a deductible](/insurance-covers-towing-after-accident-deductible/) before agreeing to any out-of-pocket payment.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-aaa-cover-towing-after-accident-or-only-breakdowns/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Roadside America
Posted on • Originally published at towwiththeflow.com
Does AAA Cover Towing After an Accident or Only Breakdowns: What You're Actually Covered For: Explained
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