Immediate Steps After an Accident
If you're reading this at the scene of an accident, start here. The actions you take in the next 30 minutes directly affect who pays for towing and how much it costs. Follow these steps in order.
What to Do Right Now
Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
Safety comes first. If anyone is injured - even minor pain - call 911 immediately. Paramedics can assess injuries that aren't obvious, and a police report is critical for insurance claims. In most states, you're legally required to call police if there are injuries or the damage exceeds $500-$1,000.
Move to safety if possible
If vehicles are drivable and no one is seriously hurt, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on hazard lights. Standing in traffic is the most dangerous part of any accident scene. If vehicles can't move, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives.
Document the scene thoroughly
Take 20-30 photos: damage to all vehicles from every angle, license plates, the intersection or road, traffic signs, skid marks, debris patterns, and weather conditions. Open your phone's camera and record a slow 360-degree video. This evidence determines fault and who pays for towing.
Exchange information with the other driver
Get their full name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate. Photograph their insurance card and license. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers too.
Call your insurance company
Report the accident from the scene if possible. Your insurer can arrange a tow truck directly, often at a lower cost than a police-dispatched tow. Ask if your policy covers towing and what your coverage limits are. Most insurers have a 24/7 claims line.
Do NOT admit fault or apologize
Saying "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be used against you later. Stick to the facts when talking to the other driver and police. Even if you think you caused the accident, let the insurance companies and investigators determine fault officially.
Critical: Don't Let Anyone Pressure You
Tow truck drivers sometimes arrive at accident scenes uninvited, listening to police scanners. You are NOT obligated to use the first tow truck that shows up. If a tow driver arrives before you've called one, ask who sent them. You have the right to choose your own towing company in most states.
Who Pays for Towing?
The short answer: it depends on who caused the accident and what insurance everyone has. Here's the decision matrix for every common scenario.
Scenario 1: The Other Driver Is at Fault
If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance pays for your towing costs. You file a claim against their policy. Their insurer covers the tow, storage fees, and transport to the repair shop. Typical reimbursement takes 1-3 weeks after the claim is filed.
The catch: you may need to pay out of pocket first and get reimbursed later. Save every receipt. The at-fault driver's insurance covers reasonable towing charges - usually $100-$300 for a standard tow within 10 miles.
Scenario 2: You Are at Fault
If you caused the accident, your liability insurance does NOT cover your own towing. You need collision coverage or a roadside assistance add-on on your own policy. Without either, you pay the full towing bill yourself. Average accident tow costs run $150-$400 depending on distance and vehicle size.
Scenario 3: No-Fault States
In no-fault states (Florida, Michigan, New York, and 9 others), each driver's own insurance pays for their towing regardless of who caused the accident. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or collision coverage handles your tow. This simplifies the process but means you always file through your own insurer.
Scenario 4: Hit-and-Run
If the other driver fled, your uninsured motorist coverage pays for towing. If you don't have uninsured motorist coverage, your collision coverage kicks in (with a deductible). Without either, you're responsible for the full cost. This is one of the strongest reasons to carry uninsured motorist coverage - about 1 in 8 drivers on US roads has no insurance.
Scenario 5: Shared Fault
In many accidents, both drivers share some fault. In comparative negligence states, towing costs get split proportionally. If you're found 30% at fault, you pay 30% of your own towing and the other driver's insurance covers 70%. Your collision coverage can fill the gap while liability is being determined.
Quick Reference: Who Pays?
- Other driver at fault: Their liability insurance pays your towing
- You at fault: Your collision coverage or roadside assistance pays
- No-fault state: Your own insurance always pays your towing
- Hit-and-run: Your uninsured motorist or collision coverage pays
- Shared fault: Split proportionally based on fault determination
Insurance Coverage for Towing
Not all insurance policies cover towing the same way. Understanding what each type of coverage actually pays for can save you hundreds. Here's how the four main types compare.
Insurance Coverage Types for Post-Accident Towing
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Typical Cost | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collision | Towing after any accident regardless of fault. Covers transport to repair shop. | $40-$100/month added to premium | $250-$1,000 applies to total claim (including tow) |
| Comprehensive | Towing after non-collision events only (theft, vandalism, flood, fallen tree). Does NOT cover accident tows. | $15-$50/month added to premium | $100-$500 deductible applies |
| Roadside Assistance Add-on | Towing for any reason - accidents, breakdowns, flat tires. Usually covers up to $50-$100 per tow or a set mileage limit. | $2-$5/month added to premium | No deductible - but coverage caps at $75-$150 per incident |
| Uninsured Motorist | Covers your towing when the at-fault driver has no insurance or in hit-and-run situations. | $20-$50/month added to premium | $0-$500 depending on state and policy |
Collision
Comprehensive
Roadside Assistance Add-on
Uninsured Motorist
Collision Coverage - Your Main Safety Net
Collision coverage is the most reliable way to get towing paid after an accident. It covers towing regardless of who caused the crash. The tow cost gets bundled into your overall collision claim, so you pay your deductible once for the entire incident - tow plus repairs. If your deductible is $500 and the tow costs $250, you don't pay an extra $250 for the tow. It comes out of the same deductible.
Roadside Assistance - Cheapest But Limited
At $2-$5 per month, roadside assistance is the cheapest way to get towing coverage. Most policies cover one tow per incident up to a dollar cap or mileage limit (commonly 15-25 miles). For short tows to a nearby shop, this is often enough. For longer distances - like towing a specialty vehicle to a dealer 40 miles away - you'll pay the difference.
Compare what different providers offer in our roadside assistance comparison guide.
Uninsured Motorist - The Overlooked Lifeline
About 12.6% of US drivers carry no insurance at all. In some states, that figure tops 20%. If an uninsured driver hits you, your uninsured motorist coverage pays for your towing, repairs, and medical bills. Without it, you're stuck suing the other driver personally - which rarely results in full recovery if they couldn't afford insurance in the first place.
Check Your Policy Before You Need It
Pull up your auto insurance declarations page right now. Look for “Towing and Labor” or “Roadside Assistance” in the coverage list. If you don't see it, call your agent and add it. At $2-$5 per month, it pays for itself the first time you use it. A single accident tow without coverage can cost $150-$400.
At-Fault Driver Liability
When the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance owes you for all reasonable towing expenses. But collecting that money requires following a specific process. Skip a step and you risk paying out of pocket permanently.
Filing Against the Other Driver's Insurance
You have two paths: file a claim directly with the at-fault driver's insurance (a “third-party claim”) or file through your own insurance and let them recover costs through subrogation. The third-party route avoids touching your own deductible but takes longer. Filing through your own policy is faster but you pay your deductible upfront and wait for reimbursement.
How to File a Third-Party Towing Claim
Get the at-fault driver's insurance details at the scene
You need their insurance company name, policy number, and the claim phone number from their insurance card. Photograph the card directly. Without this information, you'll need the police report to track down their insurer.
Call their insurance company within 24-48 hours
Report the accident and open a third-party property damage claim. Give them the police report number, your contact information, and a description of what happened. Ask for a claim number and the name of the adjuster assigned to your case.
Submit all towing documentation
Send the towing receipt, photos of the accident scene, the police report, and your vehicle's location. Include the tow company name, pickup location, drop-off location, distance towed, and total amount charged. Itemized receipts get processed faster than lump-sum bills.
Follow up on your claim weekly
Insurance companies handle thousands of claims simultaneously. Polite persistence gets results. Call every 5-7 days to check the status. Keep a log of every call - date, time, who you spoke with, and what they said.
Receive reimbursement
Once the claim is approved, the at-fault driver's insurer sends you a check or direct deposit. Standard processing time is 2-4 weeks from submission of complete documentation. If they deny or underpay the claim, you can escalate to your state's insurance commissioner.
What to Document for Maximum Recovery
- ✓Towing receipt with itemized charges
Base tow fee, mileage charges, hook-up fee, and any after-hours surcharges listed separately
- ✓Storage facility receipts
Daily storage charges from the date of the accident until vehicle pickup or transfer
- ✓Police report number and copy
The official report establishes fault and validates your claim. Request a copy within 5-10 business days.
- ✓Photos of vehicle damage and accident scene
Proves the vehicle was undrivable and towing was necessary, not optional
- ✓Second tow receipt (if vehicle moved to repair shop)
If the car went to an impound lot first and then to a shop, both tows are reimbursable
Typical Timeline for Reimbursement
Day 1-2
File the claim, submit initial documentation
Day 3-7
Adjuster assigned, fault investigation begins
Day 7-14
Fault determination made, claim reviewed
Day 14-30
Payment issued for towing and storage reimbursement
Don't Wait Too Long to File
Most states give you 1-3 years to file a property damage claim, but waiting is a mistake. Witnesses forget details, police reports become harder to obtain, and some insurers have internal deadlines shorter than the legal limit. File within 48 hours of the accident whenever possible.
Tips to Minimize Costs
Even when insurance covers towing, keeping costs low protects your deductible and prevents claim complications. These strategies can cut your total towing bill by 30-50%.
Choose the Nearest Suitable Repair Shop
Towing charges are distance-based, typically $3-$7 per mile after the initial hook-up fee. A 5-mile tow to a nearby shop costs $115-$135 while a 30-mile tow to a preferred dealer runs $250-$350. Ask your insurance company for approved shops close to the accident scene. Use our towing cost calculator to estimate the cost difference.
Request a Flatbed Only When Necessary
Flatbed tow trucks cost $50-$125 more than standard wheel-lift tows. You need a flatbed for all-wheel drive vehicles, cars with severe undercarriage damage, or electric vehicles. For front-wheel drive cars with rear-end damage, a standard tow works fine and saves you money.
Don't Let the Police Rotation Tow Dictate Your Destination
When police dispatch a tow truck from their rotation list, that company will take your car to their contracted impound lot by default. This starts storage fees immediately - often $50-$75 per day. Instead, ask the tow driver to take your car directly to a repair shop. If your car goes to impound, retrieve it within 24 hours to avoid the first day's storage charge.
Ask About Insurance Direct Billing
Many towing companies will bill your insurance company directly, saving you from paying $200-$400 out of pocket and waiting weeks for reimbursement. Call your insurer before the tow and ask them to authorize the tow company directly. Major insurers like GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive all have dispatch systems that handle payment automatically.
Avoid After-Hours and Weekend Surcharges
Towing companies typically charge $50-$100 extra for after-hours service (evenings, weekends, holidays). If your car is safely off the road and the situation isn't urgent, scheduling a morning tow can save that surcharge. This isn't always possible after an accident, but it's worth considering if the vehicle is in a secure location.
Get Multiple Quotes When Possible
If you're not in an emergency, call 2-3 tow companies for quotes. Prices vary significantly - sometimes $100+ difference for the same tow. Check towing costs by state to know what's reasonable in your area before agreeing to a price.
Save Receipts for Everything
Keep receipts for the tow, storage, ride-sharing to and from the impound lot, rental car costs, and any related expenses. All of these can be claimed against the at-fault driver's insurance. Even small expenses like an Uber to the impound lot are reimbursable as “loss of use” related costs.
Choosing Your Tow Company
After an accident, a tow truck may appear within minutes - sometimes before you even call one. Knowing your rights about tow company selection can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration.
Your Right to Choose (in Most States)
In the majority of US states, you have the legal right to choose your own tow company after an accident. Police can suggest or dispatch a company from their rotation list, but they cannot force you to use that company unless your vehicle is blocking traffic and creating an immediate safety hazard. Check your state's towing laws for the specific rules in your area.
If you have roadside assistance through your insurance, AAA, or your vehicle manufacturer, call them first. They have negotiated rates with tow companies that are almost always cheaper than police rotation tows. Most dispatch a truck within 30-60 minutes.
Police Rotation Tows Explained
When police respond to an accident, they often call a tow company from a pre-approved rotation list. These companies have contracts with the city or county and are available 24/7. The benefit is speed - they typically arrive within 15-20 minutes. The downside is cost - rotation tow rates are often higher than what you'd pay calling a company directly, and the vehicle goes to the company's impound lot, not your preferred shop.
Police rotation tows happen automatically when your vehicle is obstructing traffic, you're incapacitated and can't make decisions, or you don't specify a preference. In these situations, you may not have a choice.
What to Ask Before Authorizing a Tow
- 1“What is your total price for this tow?”
Get a firm all-inclusive quote. Ask about hook-up fees, mileage charges, and any surcharges separately. Compare this to typical rates - check average towing costs in your state.
- 2“Where will you take my vehicle?”
Insist on a repair shop if possible, not an impound lot. Every day in impound adds $50-$75 in storage fees.
- 3“What are your storage rates?”
If the vehicle must go to their lot, know the daily rate, when charges start, and whether they charge for the first day.
- 4“Do you bill insurance directly?”
Direct billing saves you from paying upfront. If they don't, ask if they accept credit cards so you have a paper trail for reimbursement.
- 5“Do you use a flatbed or wheel-lift?”
Make sure they'll use the right equipment for your vehicle. AWD vehicles, EVs, and cars with transmission damage need flatbeds. Wrong equipment can cause additional damage.
- 6“Are you licensed and insured?”
Legitimate tow companies carry liability insurance. If they damage your vehicle during towing, their insurance covers it. Unlicensed operators leave you with no recourse.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Tow driver arrives without being called and pressures you to sign immediately
- Refuses to give a price quote before loading your vehicle
- Demands cash only with no receipt
- Won't tell you where your vehicle will be stored
- No company name, license number, or DOT number visible on the truck
- Tries to start loading before you've authorized the tow
Being in an accident is stressful enough without getting overcharged for towing. Know your rights, choose your own company when possible, and document everything. Your future self - and your wallet - will thank you.
Helpful Resources
- Towing Cost Calculator - Estimate towing costs for your specific situation
- Roadside Assistance Comparison - Compare AAA, insurance, and manufacturer programs
- State Towing Laws - Know the towing regulations in your state
- Towing Costs by State - Average prices and rate comparisons
- EV Towing Guide - Special considerations for electric vehicles