Does Car Insurance Cover Towing After a Crash in Texas?
Your car just got rear-ended at a red light on Preston Rd in Dallas. The other driver’s insurance information is in your hand, and now a tow truck is hooking up your vehicle.
You might be wondering: who pays for this? Am I about to get a bill for hundreds of dollars for a tow after a car accident I didn’t cause?
The answer depends on what coverage you carry and who caused the crash. Many Texas drivers assume “having insurance” means towing is automatically covered. That’s not always true.
Understanding the difference between liability, collision, and roadside assistance coverage can save you hundreds of dollars in unexpected fees after being involved in a crash.
When Towing Is Covered & When It Isn’t
When a tow truck shows up to the scene of your accident, they’re going to get paid for their work there, one way or another. In the vast majority of cases, those costs need to fall on one of the parties involved in the crash. That might be you, but you might have options for having your tow fees covered.
Three main pathways exist for getting towing paid after a crash in Texas:
- Collision or comprehensive coverage may include “reasonable” towing and storage as part of your claim
- Roadside assistance or towing add-ons may cover a tow up to specific limits
- The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may reimburse your towing costs as part of a property damage claim
If you only carry liability coverage, you’ll likely pay for your own tow out of pocket. Liability insurance covers damage you cause to others, not any damage to your own vehicle or your towing expenses.
Who pays also depends on whether you chose the tow company or whether law enforcement called a tow truck out to clear the scene. A law enforcement initiated tow is considered a “nonconsent tow,” and can create additional fees that pile up daily at the storage yard.
If you don’t have roadside assistance coverage on your policy or through an external service, expect to pay for your tow upfront. Reimbursement often comes later, especially when you’re waiting on the other driver’s insurance to accept fault.
What if I Wasn’t at Fault?
A tow can be a big expense. Even going just a few miles can ring up fees in the amount of hundreds of dollars.
When the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance may eventually reimburse your towing and storage costs. But “eventually” can mean weeks of waiting while adjusters investigate. Without proper documentation, you might face denials or reduced payments.
Delays can get even longer if the other driver disputes their fault for the incident, necessitating an even deeper investigation into the incident.
Whether you pay out of pocket or not, make sure you keep track of the cost and keep your receipt, as well as any documentation you receive from the tow company.
When Collision or Comprehensive Coverage May Pay for Towing
If you carry collision or comprehensive coverage, towing and storage may be handled as part of your claim.
Collision coverage applies when your vehicle is damaged in a crash with another vehicle or object. If you’re in a wreck on I-10 in Houston, collision coverage handles the claim.
Comprehensive coverage applies to non-collision events: theft, hail damage, hitting a deer, or vandalism. If a tree falls on your car during a thunderstorm, comprehensive coverage kicks in.
The towing process typically works like this:
- Your vehicle gets towed to a shop or storage yard
- An adjuster inspects the damage
- The insurer issues a repair estimate or declares a total loss
- Towing and storage costs get included in the settlement
Insurers generally cover “reasonable” towing and storage expenses, but the key word is reasonable. If your car sits in a storage yard for three weeks because you didn’t respond to the adjuster’s calls, the insurer may refuse to pay the full storage bill.
Keep every document: tow receipts, tow tickets, photos of your vehicle, storage contracts, and notes from adjuster conversations. Write down dates and times. This paperwork becomes your proof when seeking reimbursement.
Roadside Assistance: Helpful but Often Limited
Roadside assistance can pay for a tow even without collision coverage. Many Texas drivers add this endorsement for a small additional increase to their insurance premiums. Some purchase it through memberships, like AAA.
Typical roadside assistance covers:
- Towing (with limits)
- Jump starts
- Lockout service
- Flat tire changes
- Fuel delivery
However, these services often come with limits. According to the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, roadside assistance often restricts towing to the “nearest repair facility” and may cap reimbursement at a specific dollar amount or mileage.
After a serious crash, you may not control where your vehicle goes. Law enforcement might call a tow company to clear the scene. That company might take your car to a storage yard, not a repair shop. Roadside assistance typically won’t cover these storage fees.
Using Roadside Coverage Without Getting Stuck
If you’ve been in a wreck and would like to use your own roadside assistance coverage to tow your vehicle, contact your provider beforehand. Ask them:
- What’s my towing limit in miles or dollars?
- Does the tow need to go to a specific type of facility?
- Do I need a pre-authorization?
- How do I submit for reimbursement?
Keep all receipts. Some plans require submission within a specific window. If you miss that deadline, you may lose the benefit entirely.
Avoiding Post-Crash Towing Scams
The Texas Department of Insurance warns about towing scams that target crash victims. These scams often involve a tow truck showing up without being called, then offering to conveniently tow your vehicle to their recommended repair shop. That repair shop, in turn, holds your car hostage until you pay exorbitant fees that can easily reach thousands of dollars.
Be alert; red flags for a tow scam include:
- Unsolicited tow trucks arriving before you called anyone
- Pressure to sign paperwork immediately
- Vague answers about fees or destination
- “Recommended” storage yards with unclear pricing
If someone at the crash scene pressures you to use a specific tow company, slow down. Verify who dispatched them. Ask where they are going to take your vehicle, and if they insist on going there even if you request a different shop, don’t allow them to load up your car.
Legitimate tow operators won’t rush you into signing paperwork you don’t understand. Contact your insurer before signing anything when possible.
When Your Car Is Totaled
Total-loss situations create urgency. Storage fees keep accruing while the insurer evaluates your claim. A vehicle sitting in a storage yard in San Antonio can rack up hundreds of dollars in fees within days.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2303, also known as the Vehicle Storage Facility Act, addresses vehicle tow yard rules and insurer responsibilities in certain total-loss situations.
Your Rights at the Storage Yard
You have rights when retrieving your vehicle. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees towing and storage facilities.
A tow ticket must include specific information, including:
- The tow company’s name
- The storage location
- Itemized charges.
Keep your copy of this paperwork. If the tow company didn’t provide proper documentation, that’s a red flag.
Storage fees vary, but can add up fast. The longer your vehicle sits, the more you’ll owe. Act immediately to locate and retrieve your car or coordinate with your insurer about next steps.
Take these steps quickly:
- Ask your adjuster about tow and storage authorization
- Get a timeline for salvage pickup
- Understand what you’re signing before you sign it
- Document every conversation
If you believe you’ve been overcharged, Texas offers dispute options including tow hearings. The TDLR fee schedule page explains maximum charges for certain services.
When to Talk to an Attorney
Some towing and storage disputes become part of a larger claim. This is especially true when charges escalate quickly, paperwork seems suspicious, or the insurer refuses to cover “reasonable” costs.
Signs you may benefit from legal guidance:
- Storage fees climbing with no resolution in sight
- Unclear or missing tow documentation
- Suspected scam activity
- Insurer disputes about what’s “reasonable”
- Confusion about fault affecting your claim
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve helped Texas crash victims for over 30 years. Our team can review your situation, coordinate with insurers, and help integrate towing and storage costs into a broader property damage or injury claim. We offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning you never pay any legal fees unless we win.
Contact us to discuss your options. We’re available 24/7 and serve clients across the state from our 16 office locations. Se habla español.
Towing & Insurance FAQs
Can a tow bill include charges beyond moving the vehicle?
Yes. Depending on the situation, the invoice may also include hookup fees, winching, after-hours fees, gate fees, or administrative charges.
Can I choose the repair shop after my vehicle is towed?
Often yes, but it depends on where the vehicle was first taken and whether it has already entered storage. Acting quickly gives you more control over where it ends up.
Should I remove personal belongings from the car before it goes to a yard?
Yes, as soon as it is safe and allowed. Important documents, electronics, and valuables can be harder to retrieve later and may not be protected if the vehicle stays in storage.
What happens if my car is not drivable but does not look badly damaged?
Hidden damage can still make a vehicle unsafe to drive. Suspension issues, fluid leaks, wheel damage, or frame misalignment may require towing even when exterior damage seems minor.
Can towing after a crash affect how long my property damage claim takes?
It can. Delays often happen when the vehicle is moved more than once, stored at an undisclosed location, or unavailable for inspection right away.
