Car Accident Towing Fee: Who Pays, Insurance or You?

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

> **Quick Answer:** After an accident, who pays the towing fee depends on fault and your coverage. If you're not at fault, the at-fault driver's liability insurance typically covers your tow. If you caused the accident, your own roadside assistance or comprehensive/collision add-on pays, but only if you have it. Without either, you pay out of pocket, usually $100 to $300 for a local tow.

## Who Actually Pays the Towing Bill After a Car Accident?

It depends on fault and what coverage you're carrying. If the other driver caused the crash, their property damage liability insurance is responsible for getting your car towed and repaired. If you caused it, you fall back on your own policy, specifically roadside assistance coverage or a towing endorsement, which are optional add-ons most drivers skip.

Liability insurance, the coverage every state requires, does not cover your own towing costs if you are at fault. It covers damage you cause to others. That's the line most drivers miss until they're standing on the shoulder with a wrecked car and no plan.

For a deeper look at how fault affects who picks up the tab, [this breakdown on tow truck costs after a not-at-fault accident](/tow-truck-cost-after-accident-not-my-fault-who-pays/) covers the specifics in plain terms.

## What If I'm Not at Fault but the Other Driver's Insurance Won't Pay Right Away?

You may have to pay the tow company upfront and get reimbursed later. Liability claims from the other driver's insurer can take days or weeks to process, and the tow yard does not wait. Most yards charge a drop fee of $100 to $200 when the truck hooks up, plus daily storage fees of $40 to $80 per day after the first 24 hours.

Get the car moved to a body shop or your own driveway as fast as possible. Storage fees add up faster than the tow itself. Keep every receipt and document every call with the at-fault driver's insurance. You can submit all of it for reimbursement once the claim is accepted.

If you have collision coverage on your own policy, you can also file through your insurer first, let them handle the at-fault driver's insurer, and get reimbursed your deductible once fault is confirmed. That process is called subrogation, and it protects you from sitting in limbo while the other insurer drags its feet.

See also: [who pays towing costs after a not-at-fault accident](/who-pays-towing-costs-after-not-at-fault-accident/) for a step-by-step on filing that claim correctly.

## Does Roadside Assistance Cover Accident Towing, or Just Breakdowns?

Most roadside assistance policies cover towing regardless of why your car can't move, breakdowns and accidents included. AAA, for example, covers accident towing under all its membership tiers. Many insurers, including State Farm and GEICO, offer roadside assistance riders that work the same way.

The limit matters. Basic roadside plans often cap towing at 5 to 15 miles. If your car needs to go to a specialty shop 40 miles away, you pay the overage. Check your policy's per-incident mileage cap before you call a tow truck, because you can often direct the truck to a closer lot first and arrange a second tow later.

One thing roadside assistance does not typically do: cover storage f
![tow truck loading car](/images/car-accident-towing-fee-who-pays-insurance/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*
ees or car rental while your accident claim is being sorted. That falls under rental reimbursement coverage, which is a separate optional add-on.

For specifics on what State Farm covers in accident towing scenarios, [this post on State Farm towing after an accident](/does-state-farm-pay-for-towing-after-accident/) is worth a read.

## How Much Will the Accident Tow Actually Cost If I'm Paying Out of Pocket?

A standard accident tow from a crash scene to a local shop or impound yard runs $100 to $250 for the first five miles, plus $3 to $7 per mile after that. Flatbed trucks, which are required for all-wheel-drive vehicles and most modern cars with low ground clearance, cost more than hook-and-chain rigs, often $50 to $100 more for the same distance.

If your car is stuck in a ditch, pinned against a barrier, or in a position where a standard hookup is not possible, winching fees apply on top of the base tow rate. Winching typically adds $50 to $150 to the final bill.

Get a written estimate before you authorize the tow if at all possible. Once the truck is dispatched from the scene by police, you have less control over which company shows up and what they charge.


![roadside assistance highway](/images/car-accident-towing-fee-who-pays-insurance/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Common Questions

**Q: Can I choose my own tow truck after an accident, or does the police dispatch one for me?**
A: Police can call a tow from their rotation list, but you are not required to use that truck. You can call your own tow company or roadside assistance provider. If a police-dispatched truck is already loading your car, it gets complicated, so call your preferred company as early as possible.

**Q: Will filing a towing claim raise my insurance rates?**
A: Filing through roadside assistance usually does not affect your rates because it is not a collision or liability claim. Filing a collision claim, which you might do if you are at fault and have collision coverage, can raise your premium at renewal depending on your insurer and claim history.

**Q: What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?**
A: Your uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage kicks in if you have it. Not every state requires it and not every driver carries it. If you have collision coverage, that is your next option. Without either, you would likely need to pursue the at-fault driver in small claims court for reimbursement.

**Q: My car was totaled. Does insurance still pay the tow fee?**
A: Yes. If your car is declared a total loss, the tow from the scene and any reasonable storage fees before the insurer takes possession are typically included in the settlement. Get those receipts documented and submit them as part of your claim.

**Q: The tow yard is charging storage fees daily. How do I stop the clock?**
A: Have the vehicle moved as soon as possible, either to a body shop, your home, or a less expensive lot. Contact your insurer the same day as the accident and tell them where the car is. Many insurers will authorize moving the vehicle to an approved facility quickly once they know storage is accumulating. Do not wait for the adjuster to reach out first.

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Car Accident Towing on Tow With The Flow

Car Accident Towing Fee: Who Pays, Insurance or You?
