Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance or towing coverage as an add-on, but it’s not automatic — you have to elect it. Check your declarations page or call your insurer before you need a tow to confirm coverage. Some policies reimburse you after the fact rather than paying the towing company directly.
AAA membership, credit card benefits, and manufacturer roadside programs (like those from Ford, GM, or Toyota) may also cover towing costs. It’s worth knowing what you have before you’re stranded.
PRO TIP
Take a photo of the estimate or get it confirmed by text before the driver hooks up. Disputes about towing charges are much easier to resolve when there’s a record of what was agreed to before the tow.