How Much Does it Cost to Tow a Car? - A Comprehensive Guide

Before you call a towing company, check your auto insurance policy for free towing service coverage. Your car insurance, credit card, or roadside assistance plan may cover it. If your car or truck breaks down, you may have to call a tow truck to take you to a place where they can repair it. How much is that trailer likely to cost you? The answer depends on a variety of factors.

Here's what you need to know and how you can save some money. Your auto insurance policy may cover the trailer if you chose to include it as part of your coverage. Depending on your insurance company, the trailer may be covered as part of the optional collision and comprehensive insurance of your policy, or you can purchase roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage as a supplement to your policy. However, you may still have to pay something out of pocket if your policy has a deductible. If your car is damaged because of an accident in which another driver was at fault, that driver's liability coverage can pay for your car to be towed. Whether your policy or another driver's policy is going to pick up the bill, be sure to keep all the documentation in case you need to request a refund.

Some credit cards also offer free or low-cost roadside assistance as a benefit to the cardholder. So it's worth knowing what your credit card will cover before you need to use it and also what phone number to call if you do. Although it's probably the most well-known, AAA isn't your only option for roadside assistance. Investopedia publishes a regularly updated list of the best roadside assistance plans for the different needs of drivers.

How much does it cost to tow a car?

Some services may include the first few miles in your base rate to avoid having to pay a per-mile rate for a short trailer. A policy will have limits on what it covers or how much it covers, but it can offset most of a standard towing service within a certain distance or to the nearest auto repair shop. Pay for your policy in advance and get free or discounted services when you need your car towed. Optional policies that cover towing costs are often called roadside assistance policies and generally cover the costs of a variety of other services, such as starter and winch services in case the car gets stuck. If you're looking for ways to save money on tow truck services, there are several options available. First, check with your auto insurance provider and see if they offer any type of free or discounted tow truck services.

Many companies offer this as an add-on service for their customers. Additionally, some credit cards offer free or discounted tow truck services as part of their benefits package. You can also look into roadside assistance plans from companies like AAA or other providers. These plans typically provide discounts on tow truck services and other emergency services like jump starts and tire changes. Finally, if you're in an area with multiple tow truck companies, shop around for the best rates. Towing services can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on them.

Check with your auto insurance provider and credit card company first for any free or discounted services they may offer. Additionally, look into roadside assistance plans from companies like AAA or other providers for discounts on tow truck services. If you're facing an unexpected breakdown and need help getting back on the road quickly, understanding how much it costs to tow a car is essential. Knowing what coverage is available through auto insurance policies, credit cards, and roadside assistance plans can help you save money when you need help with a trailer.

Additionally, shopping around for the best rates from local tow truck companies can help reduce costs even further.