Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?
If your car got towed or needs to be towed, you're probably wondering if you can get your car insurance company to cover the cost. It depends on the reason that you got towed and what type of insurance company you have.
Does Car Insurance Cover Towing After an Accident?
An accident is the most likely situation where your car insurance will cover towing. That's because if you can't drive your car away, getting it towed to a repair shop is part of getting it fixed.
Exactly what your insurance company will pay will depend on your policy. Many insurance companies only pay to tow to the closest repair shop or the closest repair shop on their approved list. If you want to choose a different shop, you have to pay the difference.
When you have your car towed, there are also often daily storage fees that you have to pay the towing company or repair shop. Your insurance company may only cover a fixed number of days or a reasonable number of days to get repairs. If you're letting your car sit without trying to get it repaired, you may have to pay additional storage costs on your own.
Does Car Insurance Cover Damage During Towing?
Your car insurance will typically cover damage to your car during towing. The same rules apply to any other accident or comprehensive claim.
One thing to know is that your insurance company may request that you go through the towing company if they caused the damage. The towing company's insurance pays first before your own insurance in that situation.
Does Car Insurance Cover the Cost of an Illegal Tow?
If you believe your car was illegally towed from a parking lot or other location, you should file a police report then contact your insurance company. Your insurance company generally won't cover any towing fees, and those are something you'd need to file a separate lawsuit to recover. They also don't get involved in getting your car back.
What your insurance company will often cover is any damage during the tow. It's important that you let them know what happened as soon as possible so you can meet the deadlines to file your claim. Your insurance company may try to recover for damages from the towing company, but if the damage is covered by your comprehensive policy, they are responsible for paying this claim.
To learn more about what car insurance covers during towing, contact a local insurance company today.