Short answer: No, full coverage car insurance does not automatically cover towing.
While the name might suggest it protects you from every imaginable cost, "full coverage" actually refers to a bundle of standard coverages—none of which inherently include towing services. To be covered for towing, you'll need to add a specific towing or roadside assistance option to your policy.
What is in this Article?
- Full coverage car insurance does not automatically include towing—you’ll need to add roadside assistance or towing coverage to be protected.
- Towing after an accident may be covered under collision or comprehensive insurance, but mechanical breakdowns or long-distance towing usually require optional add-ons.
- If you frequently travel or drive in remote areas, ensure your plan includes long distance towing services, as many basic policies limit towing to a short distance.
In this article, we’ll break down what full coverage includes, when towing is covered, and how to make sure you’re protected—including if you ever need long distance towing services.
1. What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance?
“Full coverage” is not a legal or official insurance term. It’s commonly used to describe a package of three main types of auto insurance:
- Liability Coverage: Covers damage you cause to others in an accident.
- Collision Coverage: Covers damage to your own car after a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage to your car from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, floods, or falling objects.
Together, these offer wide-ranging protection—but they do not cover towing or long distance towing services unless you’ve added specific coverage for that purpose.
2. Is Towing Included in Full Coverage?
No, towing is not included by default in full coverage.
However, your insurance may help cover towing costs in the following cases:
✅ With Optional Towing or Roadside Assistance Coverage
Many insurers offer towing and labor coverage or roadside assistance as affordable policy add-ons. These extras often include:
- Local and sometimes long distance towing services (up to a mileage or dollar limit)
- Battery jump-starts
- Lockout service
- Flat tire changes
- Emergency fuel delivery
✅ If Towing Follows a Covered Accident
If your car needs to be towed after an accident and the incident is covered by your collision or comprehensive policy, towing costs may be reimbursed—but only within policy limits and to the nearest repair facility. Extended or long distance towing services typically require separate coverage or result in out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Optional Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage
This optional protection offers peace of mind and is usually inexpensive—often under $30 per year. Depending on the insurer, it might be labeled:
- Towing and Labor Coverage: Reimburses basic roadside services.
- Roadside Assistance: May include towing, lockout help, jump-starts, and more.
When evaluating coverage, be sure to check:
- Limits on towing distance (some policies cap at 15–25 miles—not suitable for long distance towing services)
- Maximum reimbursement amounts
- Allowed number of service calls per year
If you regularly travel or commute long distances, it’s essential to ensure your towing coverage includes or allows long distance car towing services.
4. When Will Insurance Cover Towing?
Let’s break it down by situation:
Situation | Covered by Full Coverage? | Covered with Roadside Add-On? |
Mechanical breakdown (engine failure) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Flat tire or dead battery | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Accident-related damage | ✅ Sometimes, if claimed | ✅ Yes |
Car vandalized and won’t start | ✅ Under comprehensive | ✅ Yes |
Ran out of gas | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
⚠️ Note: If your car needs to be towed over a long distance—such as during a rural breakdown or long road trip—basic policies may not cover extended mileage. You’ll either need to pay the extra miles out-of-pocket or have a plan that includes long distance towing services.
5. Alternative Towing Coverage Options
In addition to your insurer’s add-ons, there are several third-party options:
Auto Clubs (e.g., AAA)
Auto clubs are known for providing extensive roadside assistance. Higher-tier plans often include:
- Multiple service calls
- Long distance towing services (up to 100+ miles)
- Trip interruption benefits
- Hotel discounts and maps
Credit Card Benefits
Some premium credit cards offer limited roadside assistance. However, they typically do not cover long distance towing, or they charge additional fees beyond a short towing radius.
Automaker Coverage
Many car manufacturers provide free roadside assistance for new vehicles (e.g., for 3–5 years), which sometimes includes towing to the nearest dealership. Check if your vehicle includes any long distance towing services, especially if you’re often far from a dealer.
6. Is Towing Coverage Worth It?
Add it if:
- You frequently travel long distances
- You drive an older or unreliable vehicle
- You want peace of mind and no surprise costs
- You don’t already have a separate roadside plan
You might skip it if:
- Your car is still covered by a manufacturer’s roadside program
- You have a robust plan like AAA
- You rarely drive far from home and have a reliable car
Important: Not all towing coverage includes long distance towing services. If you travel often or live in rural areas, consider a plan that explicitly covers extended towing mileage.
7. How to Check or Add Towing to Your Policy
To ensure you’re covered:
- Review your current policy documents
- Ask your insurer if towing is included, and what limits apply
- Specifically ask about long distance towing
- Compare providers if your current insurer’s towing options are limited
- Add coverage if needed—it’s usually affordable and activates quickly
Conclusion
Full coverage car insurance offers broad protection—but it does not cover towing unless you've added that coverage specifically. This means that in most cases, you’ll need roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage to be reimbursed for towing services.
And if you’re someone who frequently drives across states or through rural areas, make sure your plan includes long distance towing services. A small investment in extra coverage can prevent major inconvenience and unexpected expenses when you need help the most.