> **Quick Answer:** Yes, car insurance can cover towing after an accident, but only if you have the right coverage. Liability-only policies do not pay for your tow. Collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or a separate roadside assistance add-on are what actually foot the bill. Check your declarations page right now. If you do not have one of those, you are paying out of pocket.
## Which Type of Car Insurance Actually Pays for a Tow After an Accident?
Collision coverage is the one that covers towing when you hit something or get hit. It kicks in after an at-fault or not-at-fault crash, and towing to a repair shop is treated as part of the covered loss. Comprehensive covers towing when the damage comes from something other than a collision: a deer strike, hail, flood, fire. Neither coverage eliminates your deductible, but the tow itself is wrapped into the claim, not billed separately.
Roadside assistance add-ons work differently. They pay for the tow regardless of what caused the breakdown or crash, but they typically cap reimbursement at $50 to $100 per incident. That might not cover the full bill on a flatbed tow after a serious wreck, especially on a highway where you need a heavy-duty truck.
Liability-only coverage pays nothing toward your own tow. It only covers damage you cause to other people and their property. [Does liability insurance cover towing costs](/does-liability-insurance-cover-towing-costs/) breaks this down in more detail if you need to confirm what you have.
## What Do I Do Right Now If I Just Had an Accident and Need a Tow?
Call your insurance company before you call a random tow truck. Most insurers have a dispatch line that connects you to a preferred or contracted tow provider. Using a non-preferred company does not void your claim, but it can complicate reimbursement if the rate is higher than your policy allows.
If you cannot reach your insurer immediately, call a tow truck, get a receipt, and save every document. Take photos of the vehicle position, the damage, and the scene before anything gets moved. You will need those for the adjuster.
One specific thing to watch: if the accident happened on a controlled-access highway, like I-25 in Colorado or I-95 anywhere on the East Coast, the state or local authority may dispatch their own contracted tow truck before you can arrange one yourself. That tow may carry a higher rate than your policy covers. You can dispute the excess charge, but it is easier to ask the responding officer whether you have a choice before a truck is hooked up.
## Does It Matter Who Was At Fault?
It matters, but not in the way most people expect. If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover your tow as part of your property damage claim. You file against their policy, not yours. The catch is that this takes time. If you need the car moved immediately, your own collision coverage can step in and subrogate later, meaning your insurer collects reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurer after the fact.
If you were at fault, your collision coverage handles your tow. The other driver's tow falls under your liability coverage. You do not pay their tow directly out of pocket if you carry adequate liability limits.
## How Much Will Insurance Actually Pay for the Tow?
*Photo: Pexels*
If towing is bundled into a collision or comprehensive claim, there is typically no separate cap on the tow itself. It is part of the total loss or repair estimate. Where limits matter is with standalone roadside assistance riders. Those commonly cap at $50 to $100 per call, and a flatbed tow after a real accident can run $150 to $350 or more depending on distance and vehicle weight. If you need a longer haul, check [how much does a long distance tow truck cost per mile](/how-much-does-a-long-distance-tow-truck-cost-per-mile/) so you know what you are walking into before agreeing to a destination.
GEICO, for example, caps their roadside assistance towing reimbursement at a specific dollar amount per incident, separate from what a collision claim would cover. [Does GEICO cover towing after an accident](/does-geico-cover-towing-after-an-accident/) has the exact figures if that is your insurer.
## What If My Policy Does Not Cover the Full Tow Cost?
Pay the balance, get the receipt, and keep it. You have a few options to recover the difference. If the other driver was at fault, include it in your property damage demand. If you have a [roadside assistance membership like AAA](/does-aaa-cover-towing-after-accident-or-just-breakdowns/), they may cover what your insurance does not, since the two can stack in some situations. Some credit cards also carry roadside assistance benefits that reimburse towing costs independently of your auto policy.
If you think the tow bill itself was inflated, you can dispute it. Tow companies that work accident scenes are sometimes known to charge above-market rates. Document the charges itemized, compare them to standard local rates, and push back in writing if the markup is significant.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does liability insurance cover towing after an accident?**
A: Liability coverage does not pay to tow your own vehicle. It covers damage you cause to others. You need collision, comprehensive, or a roadside assistance add-on to cover your own tow.
**Q: Will filing a towing claim raise my insurance rates?**
A: A roadside assistance claim typically does not raise your rates. A collision claim can, depending on your insurer and your state. Check with your agent before filing a minor collision claim if the tow is the only cost involved.
**Q: What if the tow truck arrived before I could call my insurance company?**
A: Pay the bill, get an itemized receipt, and call your insurer immediately after. You can still file for reimbursement. Just do not sign anything that waives your right to dispute the charges.
**Q: Can I choose which shop my car gets towed to after an accident?**
A: Yes. You have the right to direct the tow to any licensed repair facility. Your insurer may suggest a preferred shop, but they cannot legally require you to use it in most states.
**Q: Does comprehensive insurance cover the tow if I hit a deer?**
A: Yes. A deer strike is a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim, and the tow to a repair shop is included as part of that covered loss. Your comprehensive deductible applies to the overall repair cost, not to the tow separately.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-car-insurance-cover-towing-after-accident/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Roadside America
Posted on Originally published at towwiththeflow.com
Does Car Insurance Cover Towing After an Accident?: Roadside Tips
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