Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?

If you’re in an accident or your car breaks down, you may need to get your car towed to the nearest repair shop. The price of towing can be steep, especially if you have to go a long distance. You may find yourself wondering if car insurance will cover that cost, and the answer is — sometimes.

Let’s dive into when insurance covers towing, when you’ll need to pay out of pocket, and everything else you need to know about car insurance and towing.

What Is Towing Insurance?

Towing insurance is coverage that pays for the cost of having your car towed when it can’t be driven. It’s not included in standard auto insurance policies, but you can typically buy it separately, often as roadside assistance coverage. Additionally, other types of insurance may cover the cost of some tows under certain circumstances, as discussed below.

When Does Auto Insurance Cover Towing?

Ultimately, whether or not your car insurance covers the cost of towing will depend on the coverage you have and whether or not you’ve been in an accident.

If you’ve been involved in a collision and can’t drive your car, your collision coverage may pay for towing. It’s also possible that if you’re in an accident in which you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance will cover these costs.

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Overview of Towing Coverage in Standard Policies

There are several types of car insurance. Most standard auto insurance policies don’t include towing coverage for mechanical breakdowns or other issues not related to a car accident. That said, you may be able to purchase optional roadside assistance from your insurance company.

Conditions That Must Be Met for Towing Coverage to Apply

If you do decide to purchase roadside assistance, there are often certain conditions that must be met before you can use it. For instance, the tow service may be able to tow your vehicle anywhere within a certain radius or to the closest qualified repair shop beyond that radius.

Other roadside services might include jump-staring your car, delivering fuel, providing locksmith services, or winching if your car is stuck in mud or snow.

Towing Coverage by Scenario

Here’s a quick rundown of how different circumstances impact whether a standard car insurance policy is likely to cover towing charges.

Scenario	Covered by a Standard Policy?	What Pays for It
Mechanical breakdown/flat tire	No	You pay
Accident (your fault)	Yes (minus deductible)	Collision coverage
Accident (other driver’s fault)	Probably	The other driver’s liability insurance
Noncollision damage (theft, storm, vandalism, animal strike)	Yes (minus deductible)	Comprehensive coverage
Illegal parking/impoundment	No	You pay

Recommended: Roadside Assistance for a Flat Tire

Does Car Insurance Cover Towing After an Accident?

It’s possible that your insurance will pay for towing if your car has been in an accident, either through your collision or comprehensive coverage.

Explanation of Coverage for Towing Following a Covered Accident

Collision insurance covers costs associated with an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object, such as a telephone pole. If you can’t drive your car after this type of accident, your collision coverage may pay for the cost of towing.

Collision insurance usually requires you to pay an insurance deductible before it kicks in. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and your car sustained $2,000 in damage, you’ll need to pay that $500 first before your insurance company steps in to pay the remaining $1,500.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage in non-accident events, such as theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. For example, depending on your coverage, if a tree branch fell on your car and you’re unable to drive it, your comprehensive insurance might pay for the cost of towing it to the nearest repair shop. Comprehensive coverage also typically comes with a deductible.

Process for Filing a Claim for Towing After an Accident

To file a claim after an accident, you’ll first want to make sure that you document the damage with photos and videos. If another driver is involved, get their contact and insurance information. You’ll also want to make a note of the driving conditions, including weather and visibility. And get contact information for any witnesses.

Get a receipt or invoices from whatever reputable towing company tows your vehicle, and keep a copy for your records as well.

Next, contact your insurance company to file the claim. It will likely assign an adjuster to assess the claim and damages, and you may be asked to provide them with whatever information you gathered, including the receipt from the towing company. Once it has reviewed the case, your insurance company will offer you a settlement.

If you’re not at fault in an accident, the other driver’s insurance may cover the cost of towing.

Recommended: Does Car Insurance Cover Repairs?

Does Car Insurance Cover Impound Fees?

Your car insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost of impound fees except in certain accident-related circumstances.

Definition of Impound Fees and How They Are Incurred

An impound fee is the charge you have to pay when your vehicle has been towed and stored in a secure location, such as an impound lot. Much of the time, cars are impounded due to traffic violations, like accidentally parking in a tow-away zone.

In some cases, if your car is in an accident and needs to be cleared off the road, it may be towed to an impound lot. This might happen if you as the driver are incapacitated due to injury, for example.

When Insurance May Cover Impound Fees

If your car is towed to an impound lot due to an accident, your insurance may cover the impound fees. However, if your car is towed for other reasons — like not moving it on a street cleaning day — then your insurance probably won’t cover the impound fees.

Guidelines for Filing Claims Related to Impound Fees

Need to file a claim for your impound fees? You’ll want to follow the same steps as you would for filing a claim.

But there are a couple of important things to note. First, impound fees tend to be expensive, so you’ll want to get it out of the lot as fast as possible. This may mean paying the impound fees yourself first. Be sure to keep all receipts and documentation related to these fees and provide them to your insurance company when you file a claim.

Roadside Assistance Coverage

Whether your car breaks down on the highway, your pickup gets stuck in the mud, or your battery dies in the grocery store parking lot, 24-hour roadside assistance can be a huge help. As mentioned above, this is an optional add-on offered by many auto insurance companies.

How to Determine if Roadside Assistance Is on Your Policy

Typically, you’ll have to choose to add roadside assistance to your policy. If you don’t remember whether you’ve done so, review your policy details or call your insurance company and ask.

Recommended: Does Car Insurance Cover Rental Cars?

The Takeaway

Does insurance cover towing after an accident? The answer depends on the type of coverage you have and the situation you’re in. The coverage you need in an accident is quite different from the coverage you need when your transmission fails at a stoplight. Understanding the car insurance and towing options you have now can help you figure out when you’re on the hook for towing services — and whether adding roadside assistance could make sense

Having the right auto insurance means knowing you're truly protected — not just checking a legal box. SoFi lets you shop and compare quotes from top carriers in minutes, so you can find coverage that gives you real peace of mind on the road. Explore your coverage options.

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FAQ

Do I need roadside assistance if my policy already covers towing after an accident?

You might still consider roadside assistance even if your policy covers towing after an accident. Typically, collision or comprehensive coverage covers accident-related towing. But roadside assistance kicks in during other scenarios, such as breakdowns, flat tires, and lockouts.

Is there a limit to how far my car can be towed under my policy?

Depending on your policy, there may be a limit to how far your car can be towed. For example, you may need to have the car towed to the closest reputable repair shop rather than a preferred repair shop farther away.

Does my insurance cover towing if my car just breaks down?

Your car insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of towing when your car breaks down, unless you have added roadside assistance.

How do I use my roadside assistance coverage when I need it?

To use your roadside assistance, you can first call your insurance provider, who can help connect you to local auto service providers. Alternatively, you may be able to call the service providers directly and have your insurance reimburse you. Check your policy details to understand which method is preferred by your insurance company.

Is it cheaper to add roadside assistance to my policy or get it from another service?

It could be cheaper to add roadside assistance to an existing policy rather than getting it through another service. That said, it’s worth shopping around to help ensure you’re getting the best deal.

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Photo credit: iStock/LanaStock

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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