Does AAA Pay for Towing If Car Is Not Driveable After Crash

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

> **Quick Answer:** Yes, AAA will tow a non-driveable car after a crash, but only up to your membership's mileage limit: 5 miles for Classic, 100 miles for Plus, and 200 miles for Premier. That tow counts as one of your four annual service calls. If the at-fault driver has liability insurance, their insurer should cover the tow instead. Use AAA as a backup, not your first call.

## Will AAA Actually Tow My Car If It's Undriveable After a Crash?

Yes, AAA treats a crash-disabled vehicle the same as any other breakdown, the car just needs to be towed. Call AAA's dispatch through the app or the number on your membership card, confirm the vehicle is not driveable, and they will send a tow truck. The fact that the car is damaged in a crash rather than a mechanical failure does not disqualify you.

What does matter is your membership tier. Classic members get 5 miles of free towing per call. Anything beyond that costs per mile out of pocket. Plus members get 100 miles, and Premier members get 200 miles. If your car needs to go to a specialty body shop across town, those miles can disappear fast. Know your tier before you call.

## What Happens to the Towing Cost When the Crash Is Someone Else's Fault?

The at-fault driver's liability insurance is supposed to cover your tow. That is the cleaner path: file a claim with their insurer, provide the tow receipt, and get reimbursed. You should not have to burn an AAA service call or pay out of pocket when someone else caused the accident.

The problem is that insurance reimbursement takes time, and a tow truck needs to be called right now. Use AAA to get the car moved immediately, then submit the tow invoice to the at-fault insurer for full reimbursement. Keep every receipt. For a full breakdown of who pays the tow bill after a crash, see [Tow Truck Cost After Accident Not My Fault: Who Pays?](/tow-truck-cost-after-accident-not-my-fault-who-pays/)

## Does AAA Towing After a Crash Count Against My Annual Service Calls?

Yes, it counts as one of your four annual service calls regardless of the reason. AAA does not have a special unlimited category for crashes. If you have already used three calls this year, the crash tow will be your last covered one.

If police respond to the accident, they may also dispatch a rotation tow, which is a tow company selected by the department from a pre-approved list. You are not required to accept that tow in most states. You can request your own provider or use AAA instead. However, if the car is blocking traffic and police order it moved immediately, you may not have time to choose. If you end up using a police-dispatched tow, that bill will not go through AAA at all.

## What If My Car Gets Towed to a Lot In
![tow truck loading car](/images/does-aaa-pay-for-towing-if-car-is-not-driveable-after-crash/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*
stead of a Shop?

This happens often after serious crashes, especially if police clear the scene quickly. The car goes to an impound or tow yard, not a repair facility. AAA does not typically handle the second tow from the lot to a shop as part of the same service call. That second tow is a separate call and a separate charge, or it comes out of your remaining annual service calls.

If your car has deployed airbags, do not assume it is still safe to drive even short distances. A deployed airbag is a sign of serious crash forces. Read [Airbag Deployed Car Still Runs: Can I Drive It?](/airbag-deployed-car-still-runs-can-i-drive-it/) before you make any decisions about moving the vehicle yourself. Similarly, if you are dealing with a damaged axle or suspension, the car needs to be flatbedded, not wheel-lifted. Mention any structural damage when you call AAA so they send the right equipment.

Storage fees at a tow yard add up fast, often $50 to $75 per day. Get the car out of the lot and into a shop or your driveway as quickly as possible. Your auto insurance collision coverage, if you carry it, can also authorize and pay for the tow directly so you do not have to front the money.

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![roadside assistance highway](/images/does-aaa-pay-for-towing-if-car-is-not-driveable-after-crash/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Common Questions

**Q: Can AAA tow a totaled car after an accident?**
A: Yes. AAA will tow a totaled vehicle the same as any other non-driveable car, up to your membership's mileage limit. Your auto insurer will ultimately handle the total-loss claim, but AAA gets the car off the road first.

**Q: Does AAA cover towing if the accident is my fault?**
A: Yes. AAA membership covers towing regardless of fault. Your own collision insurance would handle repair costs, but the tow itself is covered by AAA up to your mileage tier.

**Q: What if I exceed my AAA towing mileage after a crash?**
A: You pay the per-mile overage out of pocket. Classic members pay the most since they only get 5 free miles. If the at-fault driver's insurance is covering the tow, submit the full invoice including overage miles for reimbursement.

**Q: Will using AAA after an accident raise my membership fee?**
A: No. AAA does not rate-adjust your membership based on claims history. It will cost you one of your four annual service calls, but it will not increase your renewal price.

**Q: Can I choose which shop AAA tows my car to after a crash?**
A: Yes, you can request any destination within your covered mileage. You are not required to use an AAA-approved repair facility. Tell the dispatcher the exact address of the shop you want before the truck arrives.

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Does AAA Pay for Towing If Car Is Not Driveable After Crash
