> **Quick Answer:** Yes, GEICO covers towing after an accident, but the coverage comes from your collision or comprehensive policy, not your roadside assistance add-on. If you have either of those coverages, the tow is included as part of your claim. If you only carry liability, GEICO will not pay for your tow.
## Does GEICO Actually Pay for Towing After a Crash?
GEICO pays for accident towing when you have collision or comprehensive coverage on the damaged vehicle. The tow is treated as part of the overall claim, not a separate roadside event. You call GEICO, report the accident, and the tow gets coordinated or reimbursed under that claim.
Roadside assistance through GEICO is a separate optional add-on designed for breakdowns. It handles flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and mechanical failures. An accident tow is not a breakdown, so roadside assistance alone does not cover it. Many drivers assume these are the same thing. They are not.
## What Coverage Do I Need for GEICO to Cover an Accident Tow?
You need collision coverage if another vehicle or object was involved, or comprehensive coverage if the damage came from something non-collision like hitting a deer or a tree falling on your car. Either one will cover the tow to a repair shop. If your only coverage is liability, which pays for damage you cause to others, your tow is not covered. You will pay out of pocket.
Most GEICO collision policies include towing as a standard part of the claim handling process. The reimbursement limit per incident is typically capped, and that cap matters if the tow is long or the vehicle is heavy. For details on exactly what GEICO pays per tow, see [GEICO Roadside Assistance Towing: How Much Will They Pay?](/geico-roadside-assistance-towing-how-much-will-they-pay/) and the [GEICO Roadside Assistance Towing Reimbursement Limit](/geico-roadside-assistance-towing-reimbursement-limit/) breakdown.
## How Do I Actually Get the Tow Covered When I'm Sitting on the Side of the Road?
Call GEICO at the claims number on your insurance card and report the accident first. Do not call the roadside assistance line for an accident tow, that line routes you to a different system and may process it as a breakdown call, which can complicate reimbursement later.
Once you report the claim, GEICO will either dispatch a tow truck directly or authorize you to arrange one and submit receipts. If you arrange your own tow, get a written receipt that includes the tow company's name, the origin address, the destination, and the total charge. Without that documentation, reimbursement gets slower. Be aware that if the accident happened on a high-traffic road, a police-dispatched tow company may already be en route, and you may not have a choice in which company arrives first. Those tows can run $150 to $400 or more depending on the location and distance.
For a full picture of who pays what when towing follows an accident, the [Car Accident Towing Fee: Who Pays, Insurance or You?](/car-accident-towing-fee-who-pays-insurance/) article lays it out clearly.
## Will Filing a Towing Claim Raise My Rate?
Filing an accident claim can affect your rate, bu
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t the tow itself is not the trigger. The at-fault accident is. GEICO typically counts the accident against your record when calculating your next renewal premium, not the individual line items within the claim. If you were not at fault and GEICO recovers from the other driver's insurer through subrogation, the impact on your rate is generally lower.
If the accident is minor and your vehicle is drivable, some drivers choose to pay the tow out of pocket to avoid filing a claim entirely. That decision only makes sense if the total repair cost is close to your deductible. A $2,000 repair with a $1,000 deductible and a likely rate increase may cost you more than just paying cash. Run the numbers before you decide.
## What Happens If the Other Driver Caused the Accident?
If the other driver is at fault and they have liability insurance, their property damage liability coverage should pay for your tow. You would file a third-party claim with their insurer instead of using your own GEICO policy. This avoids touching your deductible or your claims history.
The practical problem is speed. The other driver's insurer may take time to accept liability. If you need the vehicle moved immediately, you may still call GEICO to initiate the tow and let them pursue the other carrier for reimbursement. That process, called subrogation, means GEICO gets its money back from the at-fault driver's insurance, and you should get your deductible refunded once it resolves. [Does liability insurance cover towing costs?](/does-liability-insurance-cover-towing-costs/) explains how the at-fault driver's coverage works from the other side.
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## Common Questions
**Q: Does GEICO roadside assistance cover towing after an accident?**
A: No. GEICO roadside assistance covers breakdowns, not accidents. Accident towing is covered under collision or comprehensive, which are separate coverages on your policy.
**Q: What if I only have liability insurance with GEICO?**
A: Liability only covers damage you cause to others. Your own tow is not covered. You will pay the tow company directly, which typically runs $100 to $300 or more depending on distance.
**Q: How do I get reimbursed if I paid for a tow out of pocket after an accident?**
A: Report the accident to GEICO, submit the tow receipt with your claim, and request reimbursement. Keep the receipt showing the tow company, pickup location, destination, and total cost.
**Q: Does GEICO have a limit on how much they pay for a tow after an accident?**
A: Yes. Reimbursement limits vary by policy and state. Longer tows or heavy-duty vehicles can exceed the cap, leaving you to cover the difference. Check your declarations page for your specific limit.
**Q: Will GEICO pay to tow my car to any mechanic I choose after an accident?**
A: Generally yes, but GEICO may recommend or have agreements with certain shops. You have the right to choose your own repair facility in most states, though GEICO may only reimburse up to a reasonable towing distance.
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Does GEICO Cover Towing After an Accident? What Your Policy Actually Pays
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