Does Getting Your Car Towed Affect Your Insurance? A Complete Guide for Car Owners

Watching your car get loaded onto a tow truck is stressful enough. The last thing you want to worry about is whether that tow will also drive up your car insurance rates.

The good news is that getting your car towed doesn’t automatically increase your insurance premium. What truly matters is why the vehicle was towed, who arranged it, whether you filed an insurance claim, and what caused the underlying incident.

A routine tow after a mechanical breakdown is vastly different from a tow following an at-fault accident. Likewise, a vehicle impounded for a parking violation typically has no bearing on your insurance claim history.

Understanding these distinctions can help you avoid unnecessary claims and make smarter choices whenever your vehicle needs roadside assistance.

Does Getting Your Car Towed Affect Your Insurance?

Simply getting your car towed usually won’t raise your insurance premium. The key distinction between the two lies in whether it is triggered. 

For instance:

• You pay a towing company out of pocket after a breakdown: Generally, no impact on insurance.
• You use your insurer’s roadside assistance: The service might be logged as a claim, but a single roadside event rarely triggers a rate increase like an at-fault accident would.
• Your car is towed following an accident: The accident and the resulting claim can raise your premium.
• Your car is towed for a parking violation: The tow itself usually won’t affect your policy.
• Your car is towed after a DUI arrest: The underlying violation can dramatically increase your rates.

In short, insurance companies focus far more on why your vehicle needed a tow than on the tow truck itself.

Does a Tow Automatically Go on Your Insurance Record?

Not necessarily. A tow arranged independently through a private service, auto club, or local company isn’t reported as an insurance claim.

However, if you request roadside assistance directly through your insurance policy, that call may be logged in the provider’s claims database.

Even so, a recorded request doesn’t mean an automatic rate hike. Insurers evaluate the frequency, type, and severity of claims when reviewing your policy at renewal time.

What If Your Car Is Towed After a Breakdown?

Mechanical failure is one of the most common reasons drivers need a tow. A dead battery, engine failure, or sudden mechanical issue can quickly render your vehicle unsafe or impossible to drive.

If you pay for the service out of pocket, no claim is created. If you use your insurer’s roadside coverage, the request will likely be logged as a service event.

While a single breakdown tow rarely impacts your rates like an accident claim would, specific guidelines vary by insurance carrier.

Read: Best Car Insurance in Pueblo, CO: Compare Coverage, Costs, and Providers

Can Multiple Tows Affect Your Insurance?

Yes. While a single roadside call usually won’t trigger a price surge, repeatedly relying on your insurer’s roadside benefit can raise red flags.

If you place multiple service requests over a short period, your carrier might re-evaluate your risk profile. Potential consequences include:

• Loss or modification of your roadside assistance coverage.
• Slightly higher premium rates upon policy renewal.
• Caps or restrictions on future service calls.
• Increased underwriting scrutiny during renewal review.

There is no universal threshold for how many roadside calls cause a rate increase, as every company sets its own rules.

If your vehicle breaks down frequently, consider purchasing an independent motor club membership instead of repeatedly using your auto insurance policy’s roadside benefit.

Does Using Roadside Assistance Affect Your Insurance?

It can, though rarely in the dramatic way drivers fear. Roadside assistance is typically an optional add-on that covers emergency services such as:

• Towing to a repair facility.
• Battery jump-starts.
• Flat tire changes.
• Fuel delivery.
• Lockout services.
• Minor roadside repairs.

When requested through your insurer, these calls are logged as service events.

An occasional call won’t carry the weight of a collision claim, but multiple requests over a short period can influence your carrier’s risk assessment.

Before relying heavily on policy-attached roadside assistance, review your contract terms to understand how your carrier tracks service usage.

Does a Tow After an Accident Affect Insurance?

Here, the outcome changes considerably. When your car is towed due to accident damage, the towing charge becomes part of the overall collision claim.

For example, if you’re in a crash and your vehicle is undrivable, it will typically be:

1. Towed directly from the crash site.
2. Held at a secure storage lot.
3. Evaluated by an insurance adjuster.
4. Transported to an approved repair shop.
5. Repaired or declared a total loss.

In this scenario, the tow itself isn’t what increases your premium—it’s the accident, especially if you were found at fault.

Does an At-Fault Accident That Requires Towing Increase Insurance?

Yes. If you cause an accident and file a claim under your policy, your insurance premium will likely rise at renewal.

The size of the rate hike depends on several factors:

• Your insurance provider’s rate rules.
• Your prior driving record.
• The severity of the collision.
• The total payout amount of the claim.
• Whether injuries occurred.
• State insurance regulations.
• Whether you qualify for accident forgiveness.

The tow itself is an added expense within the overall claim, rather than the primary driver of the change in premium.

Read: Car Insurance in Panama City, FL: Coverage, Costs, and How to Find the Best Policy

What If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?

If another driver caused the crash, your insurance rates generally shouldn’t increase the way they would after an at-fault accident.

Depending on state laws, the at-fault party’s liability insurance should cover your expenses, including towing and vehicle repairs.

Your own insurer might pay for towing upfront and seek reimbursement through subrogation from the other driver’s carrier. Exact procedures vary depending on location and policy terms.

Does Towing After a Hit-and-Run Affect Insurance?

Hit-and-run incidents are complicated because the at-fault driver cannot be identified immediately. Depending on your state and policy, uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) or collision coverage can cover the damage.

If your vehicle requires towing after a hit-and-run, the cost can be rolled into the claim. Whether your rates rise depends on local regulations and your provider’s rules for non-fault claims.

Does Towing After a DUI Affect Insurance?

The tow truck isn’t what damages your insurance profile here—the DUI charge is.

If law enforcement orders a tow following a DUI arrest, the resulting offense on your record will severely affect your insurance standing.

A DUI conviction typically leads to:

• Substantially higher insurance rates.
• Difficulty securing standard coverage.
• Mandatory SR-22 or high-risk filings.
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation.
• Possible policy cancellation or non-renewal.

In this case, premium increases stem entirely from the severe driving violation, not the physical act of towing the vehicle.

Does a Parking Tow Affect Car Insurance?

Usually, no. If your car is towed because you:

• Parked in a red or illegal zone.
• Blocked a driveway or fire hydrant.
• Overstayed a posted time limit.
• Violated municipal parking rules.
• Left your vehicle on private property without authorization.

The tow is an administrative matter, not an insurance claim.

The financial fallout consists of out-of-pocket costs such as:

• Standard towing charges.
• Municipal impound fees.
• Daily storage fees.
• Parking tickets and citations.
• Administrative release fees.

However, ignoring unpaid citations can eventually lead to registration holds or license suspensions, depending on local laws.

Read: How Long to Keep Car Insurance Records in 2026: The Complete Guide

Does an Impounded Car Affect Insurance?

An impoundment itself won’t automatically raise your premium. What matters is the underlying reason your car was impounded.

An impound stemming from an expired meter is completely separate from your insurance profile. Conversely, an impound for driving uninsured, reckless driving, or a DUI will trigger significant changes in insurance rates.

Insurers pull driving records to assess risk, so serious offenses behind an impoundment will affect your rates even if the tow itself remains unlisted.

Does a Tow Go on Your Driving Record?

A routine tow isn’t a moving violation and will not appear on your motor vehicle record (MVR) or add points to your driver’s license.

Your state MVR tracks driving offenses such as:

• Speeding tickets.
• Reckless or aggressive driving citations.
• DUI or OWI convictions.
• Driving with a suspended or invalid license.
• Reportable motor vehicle accidents.

Getting your car towed to a garage after a breakdown has no bearing on your driving record. However, if an accident or moving violation caused the tow, that primary event will be recorded.

Does a Tow Affect Your Credit Score?

A standard tow has no direct impact on your credit score. However, unpaid towing and impound fees can turn into credit issues if ignored.

If towing or impound charges remain unpaid, the operator may refer the account to a debt collection agency, which can report the default to credit bureaus.

The most effective way to safeguard your credit score is to resolve all towing and storage fees promptly.

Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?

It depends on your policy structure. Standard auto insurance policies don’t automatically include towing coverage for everyday mechanical issues.

Many carriers offer roadside assistance as an optional rider. Depending on the tier, this endorsement covers breakdown towing along with other roadside emergencies.

Additionally, if your car is towed following a covered collision or comprehensive event, towing costs are usually covered under those respective parts of your policy.

Keep in mind that coverage often includes specific limitations, such as:

• Maximum covered towing distance (e.g., 15 miles).
• Dollar caps per incident (e.g., $100 max).
• Requirements to use network-approved providers.
• Specific covered conditions (e.g., excludes winching off-road).
• Annual usage limits per policy term.

Always verify your policy details beforehand so you know what expenses will be covered in an emergency.

Read: Best Car Insurance for Full Coverage in 2026: Top Picks and How to Choose

What Is Roadside Assistance Coverage?

Roadside assistance is an optional add-on endorsement designed to help when your vehicle suffers a mechanical breakdown or minor roadside issue.

Depending on your provider, a typical roadside assistance package includes:

• Breakdown towing.
• Battery jump-starts.
• Flat tire changes.
• Emergency fuel delivery.
• Lockout and key retrieval services.
• Minor roadside mechanical labor.

Some insurers sell roadside assistance as a separate optional add-on, while others bundle it with comprehensive and collision packages.

What Is the Difference Between Roadside Assistance and Towing Coverage?

Though often used interchangeably, these terms aren’t identical. Roadside assistance is a comprehensive suite of services that includes towing and other emergency services, such as jump-starts and lockout assistance.

Towing coverage (often called Towing and Labor) refers to reimbursement for transporting your disabled vehicle.

Definitions vary by provider, so check your policy declaration page to confirm which specific services your plan includes.

How Much Does Towing Usually Cost?

Towing rates vary widely based on location, distance, vehicle size, time of day, and the nature of the tow. Typical fee components include:

• Base hookup or dispatch fee.
• Per-mile transport charge.
• Daily impound storage fees.
• After-hours or weekend surcharges.
• Administrative release fees.
• Specialized equipment fees (e.g., flatbed tow trucks).

Long-distance tows can add up quickly, reaching hundreds of dollars.

This unpredictable cost structure makes roadside coverage or motor club memberships valuable for frequent drivers.

Does Insurance Pay for Storage After a Tow?

Yes, under certain conditions. If your vehicle is towed after a covered collision or comprehensive event, your policy (or the at-fault driver’s insurance) may reimburse reasonable towing and storage expenses.

However, impound yards charge daily storage fees. Leaving your car in a lot while waiting for a claim to be resolved can result in substantial bills.

To keep storage costs down after an accident, notify your insurer immediately so they can authorize the vehicle’s move to an approved repair facility or inspection lot.

Read: Best Car Insurance in Augusta, GA: A 2026 Buyer’s Guide

What Happens if Your Car Is Towed After an Accident?

While procedures vary by jurisdiction and insurer, post-accident towing generally follows these steps:

Step 1: Your Vehicle Is Removed From the Scene

If the vehicle is unsafe or unable to be driven, a towing service removes it from the roadway.

Step 2: The Vehicle Goes to a Storage Facility

The tow operator usually transports the car to an impound, tow yard, or holding facility.

Step 3: The Insurance Company Inspects the Vehicle

An insurance adjuster inspects the vehicle to estimate repair costs or evaluate whether it’s a total loss.

Step 4: The Vehicle Is Moved

Once repairs are authorized, the vehicle is moved to a certified auto body repair shop.

Step 5: The Claim Is Resolved

The insurance company pays approved repair costs or issues a cash settlement if the vehicle is deemed a total loss.

Can You Choose the Towing Company?

It depends on the circumstances. If you request service through your insurer’s roadside assistance, they will usually dispatch an in-network provider.

At an accident scene, police officers or emergency services may dispatch an authorized local towing company to clear the road quickly.

If you prefer a specific towing operator, ask your insurer beforehand whether out-of-network towing charges are reimbursable.

Insurers cap reimbursement amounts, so do not assume they will pay an excessive towing bill without prior approval.

What Should You Do When Your Car Needs to Be Towed?

If your car breaks down, prioritize safety first. Pull off to the shoulder or a safe spot and switch on your hazard lights. Next, check if you have roadside coverage through:

• Your auto insurance provider.
• An independent motor club (such as AAA).
• Your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty program.
• A credit card roadside benefit.
• A third-party assistance plan.

Before calling your insurer for assistance, consider whether filing a service request could be counted against your policy limits.

If your vehicle was involved in a collision, contact your insurer promptly and follow their guidance on towing and storage logistics.

Read: Average Cost of Car Insurance in Massachusetts in 2026

Should You File an Insurance Claim for a Tow?

Not always. If your car breaks down and the towing charge is small, paying out of pocket can be smarter than placing a service call through your insurer, especially if you’re concerned about racking up claim events.

However, if your car was damaged in a covered crash, filing a claim makes sense because towing costs form part of the larger claim.

Key factors to evaluate include:

• The total towing cost.
• Your policy deductible amount.
• Your specific coverage type.
• Whether overall repairs exceed your deductible.
• Your existing claims history.
• Potential long-term impacts on your rate.

When Should You Pay for Towing Yourself?

Paying out of pocket is usually recommended when:

• The towing bill is relatively low.
• No underlying vehicle damage occurred.
• You do not carry roadside assistance coverage.
• You want to avoid recording small service claims.
• You have already used your policy’s roadside allowance multiple times this term.

For major crashes, however, towing is merely one part of a larger covered loss and should be handled through insurance.

Can Roadside Assistance Claims Raise Your Premium?

They can, under certain circumstances, though a single roadside request rarely triggers a premium jump like an at-fault crash would.

Carriers closely track frequency when reviewing roadside assistance usage.

If you make frequent service calls, your carrier might remove the rider or adjust your rates at renewal in accordance with its internal rules.

Because carrier rules differ, ask your agent directly how roadside calls impact your claim record.

Does Using AAA Affect Your Car Insurance?

If you obtain roadside help through an independent motor club like AAA rather than your insurer, the service is managed separately from your auto insurance policy.

This means the tow won’t be recorded as an auto insurance claim. For drivers who require frequent roadside aid, this distinction is crucial.

Utilizing a separate roadside membership keeps routine calls completely off your auto insurance claim history.

Is Towing Covered Under Comprehensive Insurance?

Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damage, such as falling objects, severe weather, theft, or vandalism. It does not automatically cover routine towing for breakdowns.

However, if your car suffers a covered comprehensive event (e.g., a tree branch falls on it) and must be towed, the towing fees are usually covered as part of that claim.

For general mechanical breakdown towing, you need dedicated roadside assistance coverage.

Is Towing Covered Under Collision Insurance?

Collision coverage generally handles towing expenses resulting directly from a covered crash.

For example, if you hit an object and your car becomes undrivable, transporting the damaged vehicle to an inspection site or repair shop is typically included in the claim payload.

Be sure to confirm coverage terms with your carrier immediately following an accident.

Read: Can You Pause Car Insurance in 2026? A Complete Guide

Does Towing Affect Your No-Claims Discount?

It depends on your carrier and the type of event. A roadside assistance call is usually treated differently from a collision claim.

Many insurers view roadside assistance as a policy service rather than a claim when calculating claims-free discounts, while others count every payout against your bonus status.

Because discount structures vary widely, check your policy details before assuming your claims-free discount is safe.

What If the Tow Truck Damages Your Car?

If a tow operator damages your car in transit, resolving the issue requires immediate documentation.

The towing company’s commercial liability insurance should cover damage caused by driver error or improper use of equipment.

Document your vehicle’s condition before and after towing whenever possible. Take clear photos and retain:

• The original towing receipt.
• The tow operator’s company details and license number.
• Time-stamped photos of the fresh damage.
• Written repair estimates from a certified mechanic.
• Copies of all written correspondence with the towing operator.

Report the damage to your auto insurance provider if the towing company refuses to compensate you.

Can Towing Damage Your Car?

Standard towing is safe when performed correctly, but improper techniques can cause severe vehicle damage. Risks depend on:

• Vehicle type and ground clearance.
• Drivetrain configuration (FWD, RWD, AWD, or 4WD).
• Type of towing rig utilized.
• Requirement for a flatbed truck versus a hook-and-chain setup.
• Towing distance.
• Road and weather conditions during transport.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) cars require flatbed transport to avoid damaging electric motors and drivetrains.

Always communicate your vehicle’s make, model, and drivetrain specs to the operator before dispatching a tow truck.

How Can You Avoid Unnecessary Insurance Claims?

Not every roadside event warrants an insurance claim. For minor breakdowns, paying out of pocket or using an independent motor club keeps your insurance history clean.

For significant damage or accident recovery, going through insurance is appropriate. The key is understanding your policy rules before an emergency strikes.

How Beem Can Help You Manage Car-Related Expenses

Towing expenses often strike without warning. A sudden breakdown can leave you juggling two fees, repair costs, alternative transportation, and possible insurance rate hikes simultaneously.

Beem helps you organize your finances, track recurring bills, manage spending, and monitor available cash flow so unexpected vehicle costs don’t derail your budget.

You can also use Beem’s car insurance marketplace to compare coverage options and find competitive rates tailored to your budget.

For qualifying users facing an urgent cash shortfall, Beem Everdraft™ offers access to instant cash advances of up to $1,000 (subject to eligibility criteria). This added safety net provides financial relief when unexpected towing or repair bills arise before payday. Download the Beem app now.

How to Keep Towing From Becoming a Bigger Financial Problem

A bit of planning minimizes the financial strain of an unexpected towing bill. Be sure to keep the following accessible:

• A dedicated emergency savings fund for car repairs.
• Your insurance provider’s direct roadside hotline.
• Membership info for an independent roadside motor club.
• Your vehicle manufacturer’s roadside assistance details.
• Your auto insurance policy number and coverage summary.
• Contact info for trusted local repair shops.
• An emergency roadside kit stored in your trunk.

Knowing your policy’s towing limits ahead of time—such as mileage limits, dollar caps, and storage coverage—prevents surprise expenses when you need help most.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Insurance Company?

To clarify your towing coverage, ask your insurance agent the following questions:

• Is roadside assistance included in my current policy?
• How much does adding roadside coverage cost per month?
• How many roadside service calls am I allowed each year?
• What is the maximum towing distance covered per call?
• Is post-accident towing fully covered under my collision policy?
• Are daily impound storage fees reimbursed?
• Does placing a roadside call register as an official claim on my record?
• Can frequent roadside assistance calls increase my premium or void discounts?
• Am I permitted to select my own towing service provider?
• What out-of-pocket costs apply if a tow exceeds my policy distance limit?

Getting these answers ahead of time is far easier than deciphering insurance fine print on the side of the road.

Read: Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee

Conclusion

Getting your car towed doesn’t automatically raise your insurance premium. What matters most is why the car was towed and whether an official insurance claim was filed.

A breakdown tow paid out of pocket won’t impact your insurance rates. While using your carrier’s roadside assistance creates a service record, an occasional call rarely carries the weight of an at-fault crash claim.

When towing follows an accident, a DUI arrest, or a major moving violation, the underlying incident drives rate increases, not the tow truck service itself.

Before calling for a tow, review your policy rules and usage limits. If you frequently require roadside assistance, an independent motor club membership may be the smartest way to protect your insurance record.

Ultimately, the tow truck isn’t what determines your insurance rates—the circumstances surrounding the tow matter far more.

Frequently Asked Questions