Simple Help for Insurance Claims
Towing & Roadside Assistance
Simple answers about when insurance does and does not pay for towing, roadside help, and breakdown-related expenses.
Important
Towing & Roadside Assistance Not Automatically Included
It is very important to understand that towing and roadside assistance are not automatically part of comprehensive and collision coverage in an auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive and collision coverage may help with vehicle damage in certain covered situations, including some accident-related events. But services like towing after a breakdown, jump starts, flat tire changes, and lockout help usually require separate roadside assistance or towing-related coverage to be listed on the policy.
That means having comprehensive or collision coverage does not automatically mean the insurer will pay for towing after a mechanical breakdown.
When your vehicle breaks down, towing questions can get confusing fast. This page is designed to make things easier.
Below you will find simple, direct answers about what insurance may cover, what it does not cover, and what steps you may need to take next.
In general, towing for a breakdown is only covered when roadside assistance or towing-related coverage is listed on the policy. Towing after an accident may be handled differently depending on the coverages involved.
Quick Answer Flow
Do you have towing or roadside assistance on your policy?
Yes?
You have towing or roadside assistance on your policy.
Insurance may pay for towing related to a breakdown, subject to any mileage, dollar, or service limits on the policy.
No?
You do not have towing or roadside assistance on your policy.
You arrange and pay for the tow directly. Insurance does not reimburse towing costs for a breakdown without towing or roadside assistance coverage.
Was the tow related to an accident?
Yes?
The tow was related to an accident.
Towing may be included as part of a covered claim when collision or comprehensive coverage applies.
No?
The tow was not related to an accident. Mechanical breakdown towing is only covered when
roadside assistance or towing coverage is listed on the policy.
PRO TIP: Your Vehicle Warranty likely covers towing or reimbursement for breadkown.
Quick Summary:
Towing for a breakdown is only covered when roadside assistance is listed on your policy.
Without that coverage, you can still get a tow, but you would arrange it yourself and pay the towing company directly.
Accident-related towing may be treated differently depending on collision or comprehensive coverage.
What Roadside Assistance Usually Includes
These services are typically only available when roadside assistance is actually listed on the policy.
PRO TIP: Your Vehicle Warranty likely covers towing or reimbursement for breadkown.
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Towing
⚡
Jump Starts
🛞
Flat Tires
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Lockouts
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Battery Service
Related Breakdown Coverage Help: For a broader explanation of what insurance usually does not pay for after a vehicle breaks down
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Towing is only covered if roadside assistance, towing and labor, or a similar towing-related coverage was added to the policy. If that coverage is not listed, insurance does not pay for towing after a breakdown.
PRO TIP: Your Vehicle Warranty likely covers towing or reimbursement for breadkown.
Your policy would typically list something like Roadside Assistance, Towing & Labor, or Emergency Roadside Service. If you are not sure, a representative can check your policy for you.
PRO TIP: Your Vehicle Warranty likely covers towing or reimbursement for breadkown.
You can still arrange a tow with a local towing company, but you would pay the towing company directly. Insurance is not able to reimburse towing costs for a breakdown when roadside assistance is not on the policy.
PRO TIP: Your Vehicle Warranty likely covers towing or reimbursement for breadkown.
Sometimes. Towing after a covered accident may be handled under collision or comprehensive coverage. Towing for a mechanical breakdown is different and generally requires roadside assistance coverage. Each situation depends on what happened and what coverages are on the policy.
No. Without towing or roadside coverage, insurance cannot dispatch or arrange towing for you.
If towing coverage is not included on the policy, submitting a receipt later will not result in reimbursement. Payment remains between you and the towing company.
If towing coverage applies, you may be able to choose a destination within any mileage or cost limits on the policy. If towing coverage does not apply, you may still choose where the vehicle goes, but you would be responsible for the cost.
Those services are usually part of roadside assistance too. Without roadside assistance on the policy, those services generally are not paid by insurance.
No. Coverage changes apply after they are added and do not apply to something that already happened.
Insurance is a contract that pays for what is listed on the policy. That structure helps avoid confusion and makes sure coverage is handled fairly and consistently.