Does car insurance cover towing?
Most auto insurance companies will cover a tow truck if you buy the plan as an add-on, but this will vary by company. Read on to learn more about when car insurance covers towing.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
If a breakdown has ever left you stranded by the side of the road, you know how inconvenient and stressful this can be. You’ll want to do your best to ensure this doesn’t happen again, but sometimes matters can be out of your control.
It is important to know if your insurance will pay for a tow truck and in what circumstances. Here’s when car insurance covers towing and when it doesn’t.
- Car insurance companies offer roadside assistance plans, which may be optional or included with specific packages
- Some companies provide standalone plans with different pricing points
- Most companies will cover gas, tire changes, and even lockout services
Does auto insurance cover towing?
Your car insurance company will usually cover towing if you have an accident, provided you have comprehensive or collision insurance. The leading car insurance companies can also provide breakdown rescues if you include roadside assistance as an option on your policy. Does roadside assistance cover towing? Yes, that is one of the main benefits of a roadside assistance plan.
Certain companies may automatically include roadside assistance if you already carry comprehensive car insurance or collision insurance coverage. Other companies offer a standalone product with various pricing and service options to give you that valuable peace of mind.
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What does free-tow insurance typically cover?
In addition to towing your vehicle following an unexpected breakdown, the service attendant can help you to jumpstart your car if the battery is dead or change a flat tire for you if you’re finding it difficult to do this on your own.
Sometimes, a tire fitter may have tightened the lug nuts with an impact wrench, making them difficult to remove on the side of the road. If you run out of gas, insurance will usually cover a few gallons to get you out of trouble and to the nearest filling station.
With insurance, how far will the towing service take me?
This will vary according to the company policies, but a tow truck driver may take you up to 20 miles from the place of breakdown with a standard policy or up to 100 miles if you are a preferred client. Some policies may require the tow truck driver to take you to the nearest repair facility.
Can you buy towing as a separate auto insurance plan?
Some insurance companies offer roadside assistance plans even if you do not have a policy with that organization. The company will typically give different pricing points based on the number of “rescues” per year and various benefits, such as repairing or replacing a punctured tire. You can get roadside assistance with Mercury Insurance, or with most other major insurance companies.
Read more: Can you tow a car that doesn’t have insurance?
Can you get reimbursement from your car insurance if you paid for a recent tow?
Some companies will allow you to submit a claim for reimbursement. You simply have to attach a copy of the bill, and the company should pay you according to your coverage limits. Remember to check the small print of each policy for the important details.
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Does car insurance cover it if I locked myself out of the car?
It can be hard to know what you should do if you’ve locked your keys in the car. Some companies will cover a lockout service up to a given amount. You need to check the small print as you shop around.
Are there any other benefits covered by car insurance?
Certain insurance companies will also offer trip-interruption expense coverage if you break down a certain distance from your home. This would typically be a certain amount per day to cover meals, lodging, or any commercial transportation you may need to get to your destination or back home.
Will my auto insurance pay for a tow truck after a crash?
If you are in a car crash and cannot move your vehicle, contact your insurance company on its 24/7 emergency number. The company will help to arrange a tow truck to recover the car. This cost can be included as part of a claim if you have the right level of insurance or were not at fault in the accident.
When it comes to whether or not your current insurance policy covers towing, you will probably have to call the company to know for sure. The specifics of Farmers towing insurance, 21st Century towing insurance, Progressive towing insurance, State Farm towing services, or USAA towing services are all going to be different. So if you need to use USAA tow services, for example, you will need to contact USAA. Similarly, if you have State Farm roadside assistance coverage, you will need to call the State Farm towing number to know the details of your plan.
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Case Studies: When Car Insurance Covers Towing
Case Study 1: John’s Accident
John was involved in a car accident where his vehicle was severely damaged and couldn’t be driven. Thanks to his comprehensive car insurance coverage, towing services were included. His insurance company arranged for a tow truck to transport his car to a nearby repair facility.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Breakdown
Sarah’s car broke down on a busy highway. She had roadside assistance coverage as an add-on to her auto insurance policy. She called her insurance provider, and they dispatched a tow truck to her location. The tow truck driver towed her vehicle to a nearby repair shop for further inspection and repairs.
Case Study 3: Mike’s Lockout
Mike accidentally locked his keys inside his car. Fortunately, his car insurance policy included coverage for lockout services. He contacted his insurance company’s designated assistance service, and they sent a professional locksmith to help him gain access to his vehicle without causing any damage.
The Bottom Line: Does car insurance cover towing?
Most insurance companies will pay for the cost of a tow truck when you break down. You will need to choose this level of coverage as an add-on, although some policies automatically include it. The services will typically tow your vehicle to the nearest repair facility or a given number of miles, and help you with tire changes. You can also buy standalone plans from some insurance companies with various pricing points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover towing?
Yes, car insurance can cover towing expenses, but it depends on the specific coverage you have. Towing coverage is typically offered as an optional add-on or included in comprehensive and roadside assistance coverage. It’s important to review your policy or contact your insurance provider to determine if towing coverage is included.
What does towing coverage typically include?
Towing coverage generally provides financial assistance for the cost of towing your vehicle in the event of a breakdown, accident, or other covered incidents. It usually covers the reasonable expenses associated with towing your car to the nearest repair facility or a location specified in your policy.
Is towing coverage automatically included in car insurance policies?
No, towing coverage is not automatically included in standard car insurance policies. It is often offered as an optional coverage that you can add to your policy for an additional premium. Some comprehensive policies or policies with roadside assistance may include towing coverage by default, but it’s important to check the details of your policy to be sure.
How does towing coverage work?
When you experience a covered incident that requires towing, you would typically contact your insurance provider or their designated assistance service. They will arrange for a towing service to come to your location and transport your vehicle to a repair shop or another designated location as per your policy. The cost of the towing service, up to the coverage limit specified in your policy, will be covered by your insurance.
What are the coverage limits for towing?
The coverage limits for towing can vary depending on your insurance provider and the specific policy you have. Some policies may have a specific dollar amount limit for towing expenses, while others may cover a certain number of miles or provide unlimited towing coverage. It’s important to review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider to understand the exact limits and any associated deductibles.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.