How to Get a Car Towed to a Shop
Call your insurer's claim line first, tell them you need a tow, and ask what the process covers before anyone hooks up your car.
A hit-and-run leaves a car undrivable overnight
A driver woke up to find their parked car had been sideswiped overnight, the front wheel bent inward so it couldn't be driven. They called their insurer's claim line first thing, before calling any tow company, because they wanted to know whether towing was covered and how the reimbursement worked. The adjuster confirmed the policy included towing, explained the dollar limit per incident, and said the driver could choose any tow company and any shop, then submit the receipt.
The driver called a local towing company, paid at the time of service, and asked the shop to hold the car until the adjuster's inspection was scheduled. They kept the tow receipt and photos of the damage before and after the move. When the estimate was approved a few days later, the tow charge was reimbursed along with the repair cost, since it had been submitted as part of the same claim.
Who actually chooses which shop the car gets towed to?
You do. In almost every state and with almost every insurer, you have the right to choose your own repair shop, and the tow driver works for you, not for the insurance company.
Some insurers maintain a list of shops they recommend because those shops have agreed to certain pricing or turnaround terms, and choosing one can sometimes make the claim move faster. But recommended is not the same as required. If anyone, including a tow operator, tells you that you must use a specific shop, ask them directly whether that's a legal requirement or a suggestion, and check your policy or call your insurer to confirm before you agree to anything.
Now that you know how towing fits into a claim, compare quotes to see how towing coverage stacks up for next time.
Call your insurer before you call a tow truck
If you do
You find out right away whether towing is covered, what the limit is, and whether you need to use a specific service to get reimbursed. The adjuster can also flag the claim so the shop knows an inspection is coming, which often speeds up the estimate.
If you don't
You might pay for a tow out of pocket and not know until later whether it's covered or how to submit it. You could also end up at a shop your insurer doesn't recognize, which can slow down the estimate and create back and forth before repairs even start.
What to handle before the tow truck shows up
- Confirm towing is covered Not every policy includes towing, and some only cover it up to a set amount per incident. Ask your insurer directly so you know what you're responsible for.
- Pick the shop yourself You're generally allowed to choose any licensed repair shop, not just one your insurer suggests. Pick one you trust, then tell your insurer where the car is going.
- Get the tow receipt Keep the receipt and note the mileage or distance if the policy has a limit. Submit it with your claim so reimbursement isn't delayed later.
- Photograph damage first Take pictures of all visible damage before the tow truck arrives. This protects you if any dispute comes up about when damage occurred.
- Warn the shop first Let the shop know the car is part of an open claim so they hold it for inspection instead of starting work early. Starting repairs too soon can complicate the estimate.
Does my insurance cover towing after an accident?
It depends on your specific policy, since towing coverage is often a separate add-on rather than something included automatically. Check your declarations page or call your insurer directly to see if towing is listed and whether there's a cap on how much it covers.
If towing isn't included, you may still be able to get reimbursed through the claim for the at-fault party's insurance, if the accident wasn't your fault. Ask the adjuster handling the claim how towing costs get submitted in that situation, since the process differs from using your own coverage.
Can I use any tow company or does it have to be approved?
You can generally use any licensed tow company you choose, since the tow itself isn't usually restricted the way repair shop selection sometimes is. Call a company you trust, or ask your insurer if they have a preferred network that might make billing simpler.
If you're unsure whether a specific tow company's charges will be reimbursed, ask your insurer before the tow happens rather than after. This way you'll know the limit and whether you need to pay upfront and submit a receipt.
What happens if the shop wants to start repairs before the adjuster looks at the car?
Tell the shop to wait for the inspection first, since starting repairs before the adjuster sees the damage can create disputes about what the claim actually covers. Most shops that work with insurance claims regularly understand this and will hold the vehicle until there's an approved estimate.
If the shop pushes back or your car needs urgent safety work, call your adjuster directly and explain the situation. They can often expedite the inspection or give verbal authorization for specific repairs to proceed.
