A vehicle breakdown or being stranded due to an accident can cause a lot of stress and inconvenience. After such an ordeal peace of mind comes from knowing that your car is being towed safely home or to a repair shop. The next moment of stress comes when you think about your car insurance. Will the towing be covered?
The answer to that questions is similar to the answer to many questions – it all depends. It is a good idea to review your insurance policy before an incident. If you find that your policy does not cover towing fees, you may want to look into additional insurance or an organization like AAA which do offer towing services to their members.
For insurance companies that do cover towing fees be aware that there might be restrictions such as using designated towing businesses or a maximum distance for the towing. And your policy may have a deductible that has to be met before reimbursement.
Why is the Car Disabled?
The reason the car needs towing may determine how the fee is covered. When the car is damaged due to an accident, then coverage will come under collision insurance. If the vehicle is unable to function due to a natural disaster, i.e. flooding, the coverage will come under comprehensive insurance.
In the case of a serious accident, you probably will not have a choice on the towing company used (this may be handled by first responders on the scene), and the car may be towed to an impound lot instead of a repair shop. That adds a whole new question to ask your insurance company – will the insurance company pay the impound fees?
How about Parking Violations?
No, car insurance companies do not reimburse you if your vehicle is towed due to a parking violation. They will not pay for the impound fees either, but they may pay if the vehicle was damaged as a result of the tow.
When you pick up your car from the towing company (or impound lot), the first and foremost thing that you should do is check for any damage.
The damage could include:
- Deflated tire
- Vehicle’s alignment
- Scratches on the vehicle body
- Dents on any part of the vehicle
Collect as much evidence as possible by taking pictures of the areas of the dents or scratches before driving the car off the lot.
The number one thing to do is read and know what is covered in your policy.
For a safe and reliable towing company, contact Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393.
