Towing & Roadside Assistance
Simple answers about when insurance does and does not pay for towing, roadside help, and breakdown-related expenses.
Important: Towing and Roadside Assistance Are 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is towing automatically covered by my insurance?
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.How do I know if I have towing or roadside assistance?
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.My car broke down. What if I don’t have towing coverage?
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.Is towing covered after an accident?
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.
Can insurance call a tow truck for me if I don’t have coverage?
No. Without towing or roadside coverage, insurance cannot dispatch or arrange towing for you.
Can I pay for the tow and submit the receipt later?
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.
Can I choose where my car is towed?
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.
What about jump starts, flat tire changes, or lockouts?
Those services are usually part of roadside assistance too. Without roadside assistance on the policy, those services generally are not paid by insurance.
Will adding roadside assistance now cover this breakdown?
No. Coverage changes apply after they are added and do not apply to something that already happened.
Why is insurance so specific about towing?
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.
Related Breakdown Coverage Help
Want a broader explanation of what insurance usually does not pay for after a vehicle breaks down?
Visit What Insurance Does Not Cover After a BreakdownRoadside 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.Famously Friendly Humans
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If you are not sure whether your policy includes roadside assistance, towing and labor, or accident-related towing coverage, RIGHTSURE can help you review it.
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