Does Auto Insurance Cover Towing?

If your car breaks down or gets in an accident, towing can be an unexpected expense. But does your auto insurance cover it? The answer: it depends on your coverage. Here's what drivers should know about how towing fits into an auto insurance policy — and what to do if you're stuck on the side of the road.

Is Towing Covered by Standard Auto Insurance?

No, towing is not automatically included in most standard policies. However, many insurers offer towing, roadside assistance, or Motorclub membership as optional add-ons. If you’ve purchased this coverage, towing costs may be reimbursed or arranged directly through your provider or Motorclub.

When Auto Insurance Might Cover Towing

Here are common scenarios where towing may be covered — or not:

After a covered accident:

If you're in an accident and your policy includes collision or comprehensive coverage, towing is often included as part of your claim. The insurer may pay to have the car moved to a repair facility.

If you have roadside assistance:

This optional coverage may include towing, battery jumpstarts, flat tire changes, lockout help, and fuel delivery. It's affordable and can usually be added to your policy for a small fee.

Mechanical breakdowns without roadside coverage:

If your car won’t start or breaks down — and you don’t have roadside assistance — standard insurance won’t help with towing. You may need to pay out of pocket.

Towing someone else’s car:

Your coverage typically applies only to vehicles listed on your policy. Towing someone else's vehicle isn't covered unless you're doing so in a professional capacity and have commercial coverage.

Understanding Towing Costs

Whether you’re stuck on the side of the highway or dealing with a dead battery in a parking lot, the cost of a tow can vary more than most people realize. From short city tows to long-distance flatbed hauls, prices depend on several factors—including distance, time of day, equipment used, and your location.

In the sections below, we’ll break down what goes into towing costs, national average pricing for standard and flatbed tows, and the additional fees you might encounter. These estimates are meant to give you a general idea of what to expect, but actual prices can vary by provider and situation.Note: The pricing estimates below are compiled from publicly available industry data and national averages provided by trusted consumer and towing resources. These numbers are not guarantees, and actual costs will vary depending on location, service provider, equipment required, and the specifics of your situation.

What Determines Towing Costs?

Towing prices can vary widely, influenced by several key factors:

• ‍Base or Hook-Up Fee: Covers dispatching and attaching the vehicle (typically $50–$150).
• ‍Distance (Per-Mile Rate): Additional cost per mile, often $2–$7 depending on distance.
• ‍Location: Urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural, which may also add surcharges.
• ‍Type of Tow Truck: Flatbed/wheel-lift/integrated—flatbeds are costlier.
• ‍Special Equipment or Services: Winching, dollies, recovery from ditches, or heavy vehicle handling often adds extra charges.
• ‍Timing: Nights, weekends, or holidays typically incur surcharges (20–50%).
• ‍Storage Fees: If your vehicle needs to stay at a towing lot, daily storage fees may apply.
• ‍Accident Costs: If the tow involves a collision or difficult recovery, expect higher rates.

National Average: Standard (Hook) Tows

National Average: Flatbed Tows

Flatbed tows are generally more expensive due to equipment and safety. These types of tows are also most often structured a bit differently than the Standard (Hook) Tows:

Additional Fees to Expect

Beyond base and per-mile costs, be prepared for:

• Hook-up/Base Fee: ~$50–$150
• After-hours/Night or Weekend Dispatch: ~+20–50%, possibly $25–$75 extra
• Remote/Rural Location Surcharge: This rate greatly varies based on the territory you are in
• Winching or Recovery Services: ~$50–$150+ depending on complexity
• Storage Fees: Daily charges if vehicle held at lot, rates greatly vary
• Heavy or Oversized Vehicles: Additional ~$10–$35 or 20–25% more
• Collision-Related Costs: Handling debris, police involvement, accident scene recovery will increase total, rates greatly vary

Without insurance or roadside assistance, these fees come directly out of pocket. Some insurers cap towing coverage to a specific dollar amount or distance, so check your policy limits.

Add-On Roadside Coverage: Worth It?

If you're concerned about breakdowns or long drives, adding roadside assistance to a policy can provide peace of mind, and is quite common among other insurers. Generally, this usually costs between $10–$50 per year and may include services like:

• Towing (up to a set mileage or dollar limit)
• Lockout assistance
• Flat tire help
• Jumpstarts
• Emergency fuel delivery

If you’re looking for more than basic towing, Sun Coast works with trusted providers to offer Motorclub memberships that give you full roadside peace of mind—no matter where you travel.

Pricing estimates in this article are based on publicly available data from the following sources, current as of 2025:

• HomeGuide
• The Zebra
• Investopedia
• Wayne’s Towing
• Hurst Towing
• Long Distance Towing
• Amerifreight

Disclaimer: These figures are presented for general informational purposes only. Sun Coast does not guarantee or control third-party pricing. Always contact your local towing provider or roadside assistance provider for a quote based on your specific situation.

This article includes references to third-party websites and data sources. All trademarks and content belong to their respective owners.

For other related guides, check out Does Auto Insurance Cover Engine Failure? and Does Car Insurance Cover A Cracked Windshield?