Does Car Insurance Cover a Tow Truck?
Navigate car insurance and towing. Discover when your policy covers a tow truck, what conditions apply, and how to access this benefit.
When a vehicle becomes inoperable, a tow truck is often needed. Auto insurance policies can cover towing expenses, but the extent of coverage depends on specific policy provisions. Understanding how different types of coverage address towing helps policyholders manage unexpected roadside events.
Roadside Assistance Coverage
Dedicated roadside assistance coverage is a common add-on or included feature in an auto insurance policy, designed to help drivers with non-accident-related vehicle issues. This coverage extends beyond towing, encompassing services like jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, delivering fuel, or providing lockout services.
Towing under roadside assistance is subject to specific limitations, such as a maximum towing distance or a monetary cap. Basic plans might cover 5 to 10 miles, while premium options could extend this to 100 miles or more. If a tow exceeds these limits, the policyholder is responsible for additional mileage costs. This coverage is for vehicles disabled due to mechanical failure or other non-collision incidents.
Towing Under Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
Beyond roadside assistance, towing expenses can be covered under standard collision or comprehensive insurance claims, but only when the vehicle is inoperable due to a covered incident. Collision coverage covers towing if a vehicle is damaged in an accident, such as hitting another car, an object, or rolling over. Towing is considered an incidental expense to move the damaged vehicle from the scene to a repair facility.
Comprehensive coverage addresses towing when the vehicle is disabled due to non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, or impacts with animals. The towing cost is integrated into the overall claim for vehicle damage or loss. This coverage is specific to incidents that qualify as a comprehensive or collision claim, not general breakdowns.
Situations Where Towing May Not Be Covered
While insurance offers various protections, common scenarios exist where towing may not be covered by an auto policy. Towing for routine maintenance, such as transport to a service center for an oil change or scheduled inspection, is generally excluded. Insurance policies typically do not cover towing for vehicles not insured under the policy, even if the policyholder is driving it. This means a vehicle being towed by an insured car is usually not covered by the towing vehicle’s policy; it needs its own coverage.
Furthermore, towing due to issues stemming from a lack of maintenance, like a vehicle breaking down from neglected repairs, might not be covered unless explicitly addressed by a comprehensive roadside assistance plan. Exceeding the mileage or monetary limits of a roadside assistance policy will also result in out-of-pocket expenses for the additional distance. Impound fees are typically not covered by auto insurance.
How to Obtain or Use Towing Coverage
Acquiring towing coverage often involves adding roadside assistance as an optional feature to an existing auto insurance policy. Policyholders can typically contact their insurer directly to inquire about this add-on, which can cost approximately $25 to $80 per year. Some insurers may require policyholders to carry comprehensive and/or collision coverage before adding roadside assistance.
Alternatively, towing assistance can be obtained through various sources outside of a primary auto insurance policy. These include memberships with auto clubs like AAA, which offer different tiers of towing mileage based on membership level, or benefits provided by certain credit cards. Vehicle manufacturers sometimes include roadside assistance with new car purchases for a limited period or mileage. When a tow is needed, the policyholder typically calls their insurer’s dedicated roadside assistance number, providing their location, vehicle details, and the nature of the issue. While some services may be directly billed to the insurer, policyholders should be prepared to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later.