> **Quick Answer:** The at-fault driver's liability insurance is supposed to cover your tow truck cost after an accident that isn't your fault. In practice, you may need to pay the tow company up front and get reimbursed through a property damage claim. Save every receipt. A typical post-accident tow runs $75 to $250 depending on distance and truck type. Do not let urgency push you into an overpriced police-dispatched tow without asking first.
## Who Is Actually Responsible for Paying My Tow Bill After the Accident?
The at-fault driver's property damage liability coverage is responsible. That coverage is meant to pay for all damage they caused to your vehicle, and towing is part of that damage. If their insurer accepts liability, towing and storage costs are reimbursable. The catch is that you usually pay the tow driver on the scene and then submit receipts to the at-fault insurer as part of your property damage claim.
If the other driver is uninsured, your own uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage or collision coverage can step in, depending on your policy. Check your declarations page or call your insurer before assuming you're on your own.
## What Do I Do at the Scene to Make Sure I Get Reimbursed?
Get the at-fault driver's insurance information, full name, and license plate before anything else. Then document the tow. When the tow truck arrives, get the driver's name, the company name, the destination, and the total cost in writing. Take a photo of the invoice before you pay.
If police are dispatched, they will often call a rotation tow company. You are not required to use that truck in most states. You can decline and call your own tow company, which may save you money since police-rotation tows sometimes carry higher rates. If your car is undrivable and you're in a dangerous spot on the highway, use whatever gets there first and dispute inflated charges later with the insurer.
One important detail: storage fees at an impound lot pile up fast, sometimes $40 to $75 per day. Get your car to a repair shop or your own property as quickly as possible. The at-fault insurer is responsible for reasonable storage costs, but they will push back on fees that ran up while you delayed. If you end up in an impound situation, read through [who covers tow truck impound lot release fees](/tow-truck-impound-lot-release-fee-who-covers-that/) before calling the lot.
## What If the At-Fault Insurer Refuses to Pay or Is Stalling?
File the claim with your own insurer first and let them chase the at-fault insurer through subrogation. You should not be paying a deductible for towing caused by someone else's negligence, but some insurers require it up front and refund it once fault is confirmed. Ask your adjuster directly whether the deductible will be waived for a clear liability claim.
If the other driver's insurer denies or drags out the claim, you have options. File a complaint with your state's department of insurance. In states like California, insurers have a legal ob
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ligation to acknowledge claims within 15 days and accept or deny within 40 days. Keep records of every call and email. Small claims court is a legitimate path if the tow bill is the only dispute and the amount is under your state's limit.
For context on what to expect from your own policy, [what State Farm roadside assistance covers for towing](/does-state-farm-roadside-assistance-cover-towing/) gives a clear picture of how a major insurer handles towing claims, which mirrors how most large carriers approach it.
## Does My Roadside Assistance or AAA Cover This Instead?
Yes, and using it can be the fastest path to getting your car moved without upfront hassle. AAA will dispatch a truck immediately and bill your membership, no waiting for insurance to sort out fault. The trade-off is that your annual tow allotment gets used, and you still need to pursue reimbursement from the at-fault insurer afterward.
If you're weighing whether a membership pays off for exactly this scenario, [the AAA membership vs. single tow cost comparison](/aaa-membership-worth-it-single-tow-cost-comparison/) breaks down the math. Bottom line: if you have roadside assistance through any source, use it at the scene to get moving, then recover the cost through the liability claim.
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## Common Questions
**Q: Can I choose my own tow truck after an accident or does the police choose for me?**
A: In most states you can choose your own tow company. Police dispatch a rotation truck by default, but you can decline and call one you trust. If your car must be moved immediately for safety, take what comes and negotiate the cost later.
**Q: How much does a tow typically cost after an accident?**
A: Most local post-accident tows run $75 to $250, covering a hookup fee plus per-mile charges. A flatbed, which is required for all-wheel-drive vehicles and newer cars with low clearance, costs more, usually $100 to $300 for a local haul.
**Q: Will filing a tow reimbursement claim raise my insurance rates?**
A: Filing against the at-fault driver's insurance should not affect your rates. Filing against your own collision or comprehensive coverage might, depending on your insurer and state law. Using your roadside assistance benefit typically does not trigger a rate increase.
**Q: What if the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance?**
A: Use your own UMPD or collision coverage if you have it. If you carry neither and the other driver is uninsured, small claims court against the at-fault driver is your remaining option, though collecting a judgment takes time.
**Q: Do I have to pay the tow driver on the spot even if it's not my fault?**
A: Yes, almost always. Tow companies do not bill third-party insurers directly. You pay at pickup or when your car is released from the lot, then submit the receipt for reimbursement through the property damage claim.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tow-truck-cost-after-accident-not-my-fault-who-pays/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Tow Truck Cost After Accident Not My Fault: Who Pays?
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