Towing after an accident is paid for differently than a roadside tow for a flat tire. Knowing which policy line covers what (and the distance limits) saves a fight over a bill later.
Roadside tow vs accident tow
A roadside tow is for non-accident issues: a dead battery you cannot revive, a mechanical breakdown, a flat tire with no usable spare. It is paid from your roadside endorsement (also called towing and labor) and is usually capped per call, often a fixed dollar amount or a distance limit (commonly 15 to 100 miles depending on the policy).
An accident tow is when your vehicle has been in a crash and must be moved from the scene. It is paid from your collision coverage (if you have it) or in some cases your comprehensive coverage (for things like a deer strike). There is generally no separate distance cap on an accident tow; it gets billed as part of the loss.
At the scene
If your vehicle cannot be driven after a crash, the police or first responder will arrange a tow. You may not get to pick the tow company at that moment. The tow operator may take your car to their own impound yard. Impound storage charges accrue daily. Get the vehicle moved to a body shop or your home as quickly as you can after the scene is cleared.
A driver was rear-ended on a Friday evening. The roadside tow company moved the vehicle to its impound lot. The driver did not call her carrier until Monday morning. Two extra days of storage cost $180 that her policy ultimately covered but disputed first. Calling the carrier from the scene would have avoided the dispute entirely.
Who pays the tow when you are not at fault
If another driver caused the crash, their liability insurance is responsible for your tow, your repair, and your reasonable storage. Your own collision coverage can pay first and recover from the other carrier through subrogation. That is often the faster path because the other carrier has not yet accepted fault.
Where the car gets towed
You have the right to choose your repair shop in nearly every state. Tell the tow operator where you want the car taken. If you do not know yet, have it taken to your home (if there is room) or to a body shop on your carrier's preferred network for an immediate inspection.
Common gotchas
Tow operator fees vary. Hookup fees, mileage rates, and after-hours surcharges are all separate line items. A 20-mile tow at night with stair fees can easily run $400 to $600. Your collision deductible applies before the tow is reimbursed in most policies, so a $500 deductible against a $450 tow bill means you pay out of pocket.
If your car is totaled
When the carrier declares the car a total loss, they will move the vehicle to a salvage yard at their cost. You do not need to keep paying impound. Move quickly to authorize the carrier's pickup once the total-loss decision is made.
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