Does Car Insurance Cover Towing? Car insurance is a crucial part of responsible car ownership, and it can cover towing up to a specific distance in your policy. It provides financial security against mishaps, theft, and other unanticipated events. However, what occurs when you are pulling another car? Does car insurance cover towing? Not all policies will offer roadside assistance because the coverage can be gotten separately. Even if roadside assistance coverage is excluded, auto insurance companies may give towing coverage in covered collisions.
What is Towing Coverage?
Towing coverage, also known as roadside assistance or towing or labor (TL) coverage, is an extra feature that is included in your car insurance for your high-value vehicle. It’s beneficial when your car wrecks for various reasons like flat tires, dead batteries, accidents, low gas, or getting locked out of your vehicle. Additionally, towing coverage can either be separate or an add-on to your current car insurance.
Moreover, it’s guaranteed that most professional towing service providers understand the worth of towing coverage. For this reason, they are ready to perform tasks with insurance providers to give the necessary support. This implies that if you obtain towing coverage, you can depend on a professional to assist you when necessary.
Types of Coverage for Towing
It is important to emphasize that towing is not a benefit of all auto insurance policies. Everything is based on your policy, provider, and premium. The following are some typical insurance plans that could include towing:
Collision coverage
The purpose of collision coverage is to pay for repairs to your car that come from strikes by other cars or objects. Collision coverage typically covers vehicle repair after an accident, but some policies may also cover towing costs to a garage for repairs.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage typically covers car damage caused by events other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Your policy may cover towing services for repairs or returning an undriveable vehicle to its owner.
Roadside assistance coverage
Certain insurance companies may provide roadside assistance coverage as an add-on or as a component of a full insurance plan. Common types of roadside help include tire replacements, battery jump starts, towing, and locksmith services.
Riders or endorsements
Certain insurance policies allow for the addition of riders or endorsements that add extra coverage, including towing services. Please review policy documents or contact your insurance provider to confirm if towing is covered and any restrictions or limitations are present.
What Does Car Insurance for Towing Cover?
Depending on the insurance provider, the main services provided by this coverage type might differ. However, the following are incidents that car insurance for towing can cover.
- Towing.
- Tire replacements.
- Jump starts.
- Lockout service.
- Battery replacement.
- Fuel delivery.
Generally, the cost of labor in this coverage refers to the potential costs that you might pay to fix your car. However, it doesn’t pay for the expense of any required components. For example, it might cover the cost of tire replacement, but not the full amount of the new tire.
What Does Car Insurance for Towing Not Cover?
Car insurance often fails to cover towing when the vehicle being towed does not have a policy. It’s applicable for towed vehicles that are not cars, like boats and motorcycles. Furthermore, your collision or comprehensive coverage will exclude extra vehicles that your car is towing. Also, if you are towing a trailer with your personal belongings, your car insurance may cover a trailer but not the items in it. Instead, items damaged within a trailer might be covered by your renters’ or homeowners’ insurance.
How Much Does Towing Cost?
The cost of towing a vehicle in the U.S. varies, with an average range of 10-40 miles and a rate of $2.50 to $7.00 per mile. Therefore, the average cost of towing is $109, but that’s just an estimate.
Furthermore, there are numerous factors that can also affect towing expenses, such as
- Distance: Since the tow truck operator needs to spend more time and buy more fuel, longer distances usually result in higher towing fees.
- Vehicle type: Your car’s dimensions, weight, and state all matter. Larger cars, such as SUVs or pickup trucks, may cost more to tow because they need specific equipment or take more work.
- Duration: Higher costs may apply for emergency, overnight, or after-hours towing services.
- Location: Towing in urban or high-traffic areas can be more expensive due to increased demand and logistical challenges, not just vehicle distance.
If your car is immobile or hard to use, such as down a ditch, in mud or ice, or in an off-road area, winching might be required. This can result in an increase in towing expenses. Furthermore, most providers that offer towing may include tire replacement, lockout service, and roadside assistance. Some will charge more for these services if they are provided separately.
