Towing coverage, which may or may not feature roadside assistance, is an add-on option to car insurance policies. It covers the cost of having your car towed if you are not able to drive it.
Many times, following a collision, a vehicle will become undrivable and will need to be towed. If a car is left at the scene of an accident, law enforcement will likely have the vehicle towed to an impound lot. Then, the driver will be responsible for paying the huge impound fee if they want to recover their car.
One day, you may get in your car after a long day at work only to find that it will not start. The only option you have is to call someone to tow the vehicle to your home or to the mechanic shop.
Whether it is a dead battery or a collision that has left you stranded, the chances of you needing a tow at some point are high. With towing insurance, you can rest assured knowing that you will not have to pay the total cost of the service out of pocket.
What Is Covered by Towing Insurance?
Having your car towed is a necessary expense. The circumstances that could lead to inconvenience or even danger if your vehicle is not towed promptly are endless. Hiring a tow truck is not a service that comes cheap. Towing insurance will pay that price when you need a tow. In the instance that your towing coverage includes roadside assistance, you may also benefit greatly if you run out of gas, need a jump, or lock your keys in your car.
Towing insurance coverage works in one of two ways. Either the towing service is provided by the insurance company, or you will be reimbursed by the insurance company for the cost of having your car towed.
Just like with any other type of insurance, you can expect there to be a limit on the amount the insurance company is going to pay toward a towing service. You can choose to pay for a higher limit, which means you will be paying more for your insurance each month. It is up to you to determine if the cost of the insurance is worth the potential of having to pay out of pocket when you need to be towed.
Is Towing Insurance Mandatory?
Currently, there is no state or insurance provider that requires you to add towing to your car insurance coverage. As a matter of fact, you may already have the benefit included with the car insurance that you already have. Call your insurance provider and review your current policy to determine if towing expenses are included as part of your coverage.