The short version

Only if you carry towing and labor coverage, or roadside assistance. It is an optional add-on — not part of liability, and not automatically included with Comprehensive or Collision.

The exception: if your car is towed as part of a covered claim — after a crash, or a theft recovery — that tow is generally handled within the claim itself.

Two different things

Towing and labor or roadside-assistance coverage is an optional benefit. It may pay for eligible roadside services or reimburse an approved expense, subject to covered circumstances, service limits, and the policy’s dispatch rules.

Tow as part of a claim is different. If your vehicle is undriveable after a covered accident, moving it is part of that loss rather than a separate benefit.

People assume they have the first because they have experienced the second.

What it usually covers

A tow to the nearest qualified repair facility, plus common roadside labor performed at the scene: a jump start, a tire change, lockout service, fuel delivery, and winching in some policies.

Note "at the scene." The coverage is generally for labor performed roadside, not for the repair once the car reaches a shop.

What it does not do

It does not pay for the repair. A tow after engine failure may be covered while the engine work is entirely yours.

It usually has a per-tow limit, so a long-distance tow can exceed it.

And it does not cover a rental while your car is in the shop — that is rental reimbursement, a separate option people routinely confuse with this one.

Do you already have it elsewhere

This is the part worth checking before you buy it. Roadside assistance is commonly bundled into things you may already pay for: a motor club membership, a new-car warranty program, or a credit card benefit.

Paying for the same service twice is common. Check what you have before adding it to the policy.

Is it worth carrying

Ask how roadside usage is recorded and whether service-call limits apply. Compare the benefit with any other assistance plan you already have rather than assuming all plans are equivalent.

For most drivers the practical answer: carry it if you do not already have equivalent coverage elsewhere, and use it for genuine roadside events rather than routine convenience.

An important note about your actual policy

Towing, labor and roadside options vary by carrier in what they include and what they cap. Your declarations page will show whether you carry it — most drivers are not sure.

Check the service limit before you choose a destination

Roadside plans can limit either the mileage, the dollar amount, or the service provided. Ask whether the tow must go to the nearest suitable repair facility, whether you can choose your own shop, and what you would pay for the extra distance. A benefit described as towing included may still leave a meaningful charge when the car is far from home.

For example, if a plan reimburses up to $100 for an eligible tow and the approved invoice is $175, you could be responsible for $75. That is an illustration, not a description of your policy. Other plans use a mileage allowance or send a contracted provider directly instead of reimbursing an invoice.

Decide who should arrange the service

Before hiring a truck yourself, check the assistance number or app and ask whether prior authorization is required. Some benefits depend on using the plan's dispatch service. Tell the dispatcher the location, vehicle type, and whether the vehicle can roll, steer, and brake. An electric vehicle or a vehicle with specialized equipment may need a particular towing method.

If the car is in traffic or another unsafe location, address the immediate safety problem first. When practical, ask the insurer where a crash-damaged vehicle should be taken so it is accessible for inspection. Keep the tow invoice, dispatch details, and any storage information with the claim records.

Compare benefits you may already have

Make a short list of roadside benefits from your Auto policy, vehicle manufacturer, motor club, or another contract. Compare which vehicle or person each plan covers, service-call limits, distance allowances, and reimbursement rules. The presence of two memberships does not mean both will pay the same bill.

Also separate roadside service from repair coverage and rental transportation. A tow can get you to a shop without paying for the failed transmission or a rental car. Ask those three questions individually during a coverage review. That prevents a useful roadside benefit from being mistaken for a much broader promise of protection.

How The Jordan Insurance Agency helps

The Jordan Insurance Agency is an independent agency in Charlotte. We will tell you whether you already carry towing, what it caps at, and whether you are paying for the same service somewhere else.

For help reviewing your current coverage, visit our Auto Insurance page and explore the related questions in our Auto Insurance FAQ guide. Bring your policy and the details described above to your consultation so we can review the provisions that apply to you.

Coverage references: NCDOI Auto coverage guidance. Reviewed September 29, 2026. The issued policy and applicable law govern individual claims.