π³ Quick Answer β Does Insurance Cover Towing?
After an accident: Yes β if you have collision or all-perils coverage, your insurer typically covers towing as part of your claim. For breakdowns: Only if you have a roadside assistance endorsement on your policy, a CAA membership, or a manufacturer/dealer roadside plan. Insurance covered towing depends entirely on what is in your policy.
At Towing Ottawa, we offer direct insurance billing β in many accident cases, you pay nothing out of pocket. Call (613) 317-3924 for 24/7 towing.
We work with TD, Intact, Allstate, Aviva, Desjardins, Economical, and most major Canadian insurers.
You are standing on the shoulder of Highway 417, your car is not driveable, and a tow truck is on its way. The first question in your mind β after “is everyone okay” β is usually: will my insurance cover this? The answer depends on why you need the tow, what type of coverage you carry, and whether you have added optional endorsements like roadside assistance. Insurance covered towing is not automatic in every situation, and understanding the difference before you need a tow can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration.
At Towing Ottawa, we handle insurance-billed tows every day. We work directly with major Canadian insurers to provide direct billing after accidents, and we help drivers navigate their coverage options when they call from the roadside. This guide breaks down exactly what your policy does and does not pay for when it comes to towing in Ottawa.
Accident Towing vs. Breakdown Towing: Two Different Rules
The single most important distinction in insurance-covered towing is the reason you need a tow. Insurance treats these two scenarios very differently:
β Accident Towing β Usually Covered
If your vehicle is undriveable after a collision and you have collision coverage or all-perils coverage, your insurer typically covers the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair facility as part of your accident claim.
In Ontario, if you are not at fault, Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage from your own insurer may also include towing costs.
You still pay your deductible on the overall claim (typically $500β$1,000), but the tow itself is included in the claim amount.
β Breakdown Towing β Only If You Have Roadside
If your vehicle breaks down due to a mechanical failure, dead battery, flat tire, or running out of fuel β and there is no collision involved β your standard auto insurance does NOT cover towing.
You need one of these to be covered: a roadside assistance endorsement on your insurance policy, a CAA membership, a manufacturer/dealer roadside program, or a credit card benefit that includes roadside assistance.
Without any of these, you pay the full towing cost out of pocket.
Types of Coverage That Pay for Towing
Here is a breakdown of each type of coverage that may include towing and what it actually covers:
CAA Membership: Towing Coverage by Tier
CAA is separate from your auto insurance. It is a paid membership that covers you (not the vehicle), meaning you are covered whether you are driving your own car, a rental, or riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Here are the towing limits by tier:
Basic
10 km
per call (4 calls/year)
~$75/year
Plus
200 km
per call (4 calls/year)
~$119/year
Premier
320 km
1 call + 4 calls at 200 km
~$149/year
π‘ CAA covers the person, not the car. If your car breaks down and you have a CAA membership, call CAA first. If you need faster dispatch or your CAA calls are used up, call us directly at (613) 317-3924. We can submit receipts for CAA reimbursement where applicable.
Insurance-Approved Towing β Often Zero Out of Pocket
Direct billing with TD, Intact, Allstate, Aviva, Desjardins & more
π (613) 317-3924
How Our Direct Insurance Billing Works
After an accident, the last thing you want is to worry about paying for a tow on the spot. Here is how we streamline the process:
You Call Us from the Scene
Call (613) 317-3924. Tell the dispatcher it is an accident and provide your location, insurer name, and policy number if available. If you have already filed a claim, share the claim number.
We Verify Coverage & Dispatch
Our team contacts the insurer to confirm coverage and authorize the tow. In most accident cases, this is approved immediately. We dispatch the nearest available truck while verification is underway.
Your Vehicle Is Towed β You Pay Nothing
We tow your vehicle to the collision reporting centre, body shop, your home, or a storage facility of your choice. We bill the insurance company directly. In most cases, there is no out-of-pocket cost to you for the tow itself.
You Receive a Receipt for Your Records
We provide a detailed tow receipt that includes pickup location, destination, date, time, and charges. Keep this for your insurance file. If your insurer requires any additional documentation, we handle it directly.
What Insurance Does NOT Cover for Towing
Even with good coverage, there are situations where you will likely pay for towing yourself:
β Mechanical breakdowns (no roadside add-on)
Engine failure, transmission problems, overheating β these are not covered under collision or liability policies. You need roadside assistance, CAA, or a warranty plan.
β Impound or storage fees
If your vehicle is impounded, the tow and daily storage fees are typically your responsibility. Insurance does not cover fines, impound releases, or parking violations.
β Towing beyond your distance limit
Both roadside endorsements and CAA have kilometre limits. If you exceed the covered distance, you pay the difference out of pocket. Know your limit before you need a tow.
β Scheduled / non-emergency towing
Moving a vehicle between your home and a mechanic, transporting an RV to a campground, or delivering a purchased vehicle β these are not emergencies and are never covered by insurance.
How to Check If Your Policy Covers Towing
Do not wait until you are on the roadside to find out. Check your coverage now using this checklist:
π Check your declarations page β Look for line items labelled “Roadside Assistance,” “Towing & Labour,” “Emergency Road Service,” or “OPCF 35.” If you see one of these, you have breakdown towing coverage.
π± Check your insurer’s app or portal β Many insurers (TD, Intact, Sonnet) have a “Roadside” section or service call button in their app. If it is there, you are covered.
π Check your CAA membership β Confirm your tier (Basic, Plus, or Premier) and how many calls you have remaining this year.
π Check your manufacturer warranty β New and certified pre-owned vehicles often include 3β5 years of complimentary roadside assistance. Check your owner’s manual or call the dealer.
π³ Check your credit card β Some premium credit cards (Amex Platinum, Visa Infinite) include roadside assistance as a cardholder benefit. Call the number on the back of the card to confirm.
Our Towing & Roadside Services
Whether your tow is covered by insurance or paid out of pocket, we provide the same fast, professional service across Ottawa:
Tips to Minimize Your Out-of-Pocket Towing Costs
Even when insurance does not fully cover a tow, there are ways to keep costs down:
π° Add roadside assistance to your policy
At $5β$15 per year, a roadside endorsement pays for itself with a single use. Call your insurance broker and add it today β most insurers allow mid-term additions.
π° Know your CAA tier before you call
If your CAA Basic only covers 10 km, make sure the repair shop is within that range. For longer tows, consider upgrading to Plus (200 km) β the upgrade often costs less than a single out-of-pocket tow.
π° Choose your own tow company
Under the TSSEA, you always choose your tow company. Unsolicited trucks at accident scenes may charge inflated rates your insurer will not reimburse in full.
π° Keep every receipt
Even if you pay out of pocket, keep the tow receipt. Your insurer, CAA, or credit card provider may reimburse you. Submit receipts promptly β most policies have a filing window.
Insurance-Approved Towing Across Ottawa
We provide insurance-billed accident towing and roadside assistance across every corner of Ottawa and the surrounding region. Whether you are on Highway 417, in a parking garage downtown, or on a rural road near Carp, we dispatch the nearest available truck 24/7.
After a collision, we can tow your vehicle directly to a Collision Reporting Centre (474 Elgin Street downtown, 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata, or 3343 St. Joseph Blvd in OrlΓ©ans), your preferred body shop, or home. View our full service area coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance & Towing
Does car insurance automatically cover towing in Ontario?
Not automatically. Accident towing is typically covered if you carry collision or all-perils coverage β the tow is included as part of your accident claim. Breakdown towing (mechanical failure, dead battery, flat tire) requires a separate roadside assistance endorsement, CAA membership, or manufacturer plan. Basic liability-only policies do not cover any towing.
How much does the roadside assistance endorsement cost?
In Ontario, adding roadside assistance to your auto policy typically costs between $5 and $15 per year. This endorsement (OPCF 35) covers towing for breakdowns, flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and fuel delivery β usually with a distance limit of 50 to 100 km. Contact your insurance broker to add it.
Will I pay anything out of pocket if insurance covers the tow?
For accident towing with direct billing, you typically pay nothing at the time of the tow β we bill the insurer directly. Your deductible ($500β$1,000) applies to the overall accident claim, not the tow specifically. For breakdown towing under a roadside endorsement, you may need to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement, depending on your insurer’s process.
Does filing a tow claim raise my insurance premiums?
Roadside assistance claims (battery boost, flat tire, tow for breakdown) generally do not increase your premiums β they are considered a service benefit, not an at-fault claim. Accident towing is part of a collision claim, and fault determination on the accident itself may affect your premium. The tow is not a separate factor.
Can I choose my own tow company or must I use the insurer’s?
Under Ontario’s TSSEA, you always have the right to choose your tow company. Some insurers have preferred vendor lists, and using a preferred tow company can simplify direct billing. We are approved by multiple major insurers in Ottawa. If you use a non-preferred company, you may need to pay and submit for reimbursement.
Does CAA cover towing for electric vehicles?
Yes β CAA covers the member, not the vehicle type. However, EVs require flatbed towing to prevent drivetrain damage. Make sure the tow company dispatched by CAA (or by us) is equipped with a flatbed. CAA distance limits still apply based on your membership tier.
What if I have both insurance roadside and CAA β which do I use?
You can use either. Many drivers use their insurance roadside for shorter local tows and save their CAA calls for longer-distance situations or when they need the extended services (fuel delivery, lockout). Check which has better distance limits and use the one that covers your specific need.
Does insurance cover towing from a parking garage?
If the vehicle needs a tow due to an accident in a parking garage, collision coverage applies. For breakdowns in a garage, the same rules apply as any other location β you need roadside assistance or CAA. Our low-clearance tow trucks are designed for underground garage extractions.
How do I notify my insurer after an accident?
Ontario law requires you to report a collision to your insurer within 7 days. Call the claims number on your insurance pink slip. Describe the facts only β do not admit fault or speculate. They will assign a claims adjuster. For a full walkthrough, see our car accident checklist.
Which insurers does Towing Ottawa work with?
We provide direct billing with most major Canadian auto insurers, including TD Insurance, Intact, Allstate, Aviva, Desjardins, Economical (Definity), The Co-operators, and others. If your insurer is not listed, call us β we can still tow your vehicle and provide documentation for your reimbursement claim.
Insurance-Approved Towing β 24/7 in Ottawa
Direct billing β’ Accident towing β’ All major insurers β’ No upfront cost in most cases
π (613) 317-3924