> **Quick Answer:** Yes, insurance can cover towing a non-driveable car, but only if you have the right add-on. Roadside assistance or towing coverage (sometimes called Emergency Road Service) pays the tow directly or reimburses you later. Liability-only policies cover nothing. Comprehensive and collision cover the accident itself but not always the tow unless you added roadside. Check your declarations page right now.
## Does My Auto Insurance Actually Pay for a Tow When My Car Won't Move?
It depends entirely on what coverage you bought, not just whether you have insurance. A basic liability policy covers damage you cause to others. It does not pay a cent toward towing your own disabled vehicle. To get towing covered, you need one of two things: a roadside assistance rider added to your policy, or a comprehensive/collision policy that bundles in Emergency Road Service (ERS). Some insurers like State Farm sell roadside as a standalone add-on for a few dollars a month. Others include it automatically when you carry comprehensive. Pull up your declarations page or call your insurer before you call a tow truck.
## What Types of Coverage Actually Cover a Non-Driveable Car Tow?
Three coverage types can apply, and they work differently. First, roadside assistance or ERS riders: these are the most direct. You call your insurer's dispatch line, they send a contracted tow truck, and the bill goes straight to them up to your policy limit. Second, comprehensive or collision coverage: if your car became non-driveable because of an accident, a deer strike, a flood, or a falling object, your comp or collision claim may include towing as part of the loss. The tow gets bundled into the claim, not billed separately. Third, credit card roadside programs: Visa Signature and some Mastercard World cards include towing reimbursement as a cardholder benefit. You pay upfront and submit a receipt. Know which one you have before you are stuck on the side of the road.
If you ended up out of pocket because your policy didn't cover what you expected, read up on [does insurance cover towing after an accident deductible](/insurance-covers-towing-after-accident-deductible/) for a clear breakdown of how deductibles interact with tow claims.
## How Much Will Insurance Actually Reimburse for a Tow?
Most roadside assistance riders cap the tow benefit at $50 to $100 per incident, which may not cover a long tow. A standard local tow of 5 to 10 miles typically runs $75 to $150. If your car broke down 40 miles from the nearest shop, a flatbed tow can run $250 to $400 or more, and your policy may only cover the first $75. You pay the difference. State Farm's roadside add-on, for example, covers actual towing costs up to a set dollar limit per disablement. Read the exact limit on your policy. Checking [State Farm roadside assistance dollar limit towing](/state-farm-roadside-assistance-dollar-limit-towing/) gives you a real-world look at how those caps play out. If you carry Allstate, their per-incident structure works differently. See [Allstate roadside assistance how many times per year](/allstate-roadside-assistance-how-many-times-per-year/) to understand how they count and cap usage.
## What If I Don't Have Ro
*Photo: Pexels*
adside Coverage and My Car Can't Be Driven?
You have three options. Pay out of pocket, which is straightforward but can sting. Join AAA before you need it next time. Or use a credit card benefit if your card includes roadside. Right now, if you are stuck, call a local tow company directly and pay with whatever you have. Most tow companies accept credit cards. If money is genuinely tight and you have no roadside coverage at all, check out [roadside assistance without insurance membership cost](/roadside-assistance-without-insurance-membership-cost/) for what pay-as-you-go or membership options cost so you can compare before you commit.
For non-driveable situations specifically, do not try to negotiate a lower rate by promising to tip in cash. Give the dispatcher your exact location, the make and model of your vehicle, and whether it needs a flatbed (all-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance cars, and vehicles with seized brakes typically require one).
## Will Filing a Towing Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?
A roadside assistance or ERS claim usually does not raise your premium. These are considered service claims, not fault claims, and most insurers do not count them against your driving record. However, filing multiple roadside claims in a short period can flag your account. Some insurers will non-renew a policy with excessive service claims even if none of them involve an accident. Two or three towing claims in a year is usually fine. Filing six is where some companies start to notice. If the tow is part of a larger collision or comprehensive claim, that underlying claim may affect your rate depending on fault and your insurer's rules, but the tow itself is rarely the issue.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does liability insurance cover towing a car that broke down?**
A: No. Liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not cover your own vehicle for any reason, including a breakdown tow.
**Q: Can I call my insurance company for a tow if my car died on the highway?**
A: Yes, if you have roadside assistance or Emergency Road Service on your policy. Call the number on your insurance card and ask for roadside dispatch. If you only have liability, they cannot help with a tow.
**Q: Does comprehensive insurance include towing?**
A: Sometimes. Comprehensive covers the damage from events like theft, flood, or a deer strike. Towing may be included as part of that claim settlement, but it is not automatic. Check your policy or call your agent to confirm.
**Q: What if the tow costs more than my insurance will reimburse?**
A: You pay the difference directly to the tow company. Get the receipt and submit the full amount to your insurer anyway. They pay their limit and the rest is on you.
**Q: Does using roadside assistance count as a claim on my insurance?**
A: Usually not in the traditional sense. Most insurers classify roadside and towing calls as service events, not claims, so they typically do not affect your premium or your claims history the way an accident would.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-insurance-cover-towing-if-car-is-not-driveable/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Does Insurance Cover Towing If Car Is Not Driveable: What You'll Actually Get Paid
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