Does car insurance cover towing?

Often yes after a crash or storm, and usually no for a plain breakdown. That's the short version for most Australian policies, but your own policy decides. Here's how to work out where you stand before you pay for a tow.

The quick guide

Finder's guide sums it up the same way: comprehensive policies typically cover towing after an accident or storm damage but not general breakdowns, roadside assistance generally handles breakdowns, and most third party property damage policies don't include towing. Treat that as the general pattern. Policies differ, so check yours.

Why a breakdown usually isn't covered

Car insurance is built around events the policy lists, such as a collision, theft or storm. A worn part or a tired battery usually isn't one of those events, so the tow that follows usually isn't either.

That doesn't always mean you're paying. CHOICE suggests checking whether roadside assistance is already included with your car insurance or your new car's after-sales service. It's easy to have cover without realising it, so have a look before you pay for a tow yourself. Places worth checking:

• Your insurer's app or your latest renewal notice
• The service book or welcome pack for a newer car
• Your employer or fleet manager, if it's a work vehicle

Five things to check in your policy

The answers are in your policy wording, usually called the Product Disclosure Statement. If you can't find it quickly, ring your insurer's claims line once you're somewhere safe.

1. Is towing included for what happened? The cover may depend on the type of event.
2. Is there a limit? Some policies may cap the distance, the amount or the number of tows.
3. Where can the vehicle go? A policy may only pay for a tow to a repairer or a safe place, rather than wherever you'd like it to go.
4. Who has to arrange it? Some insurers may want to organise the tow themselves. Ask before you book your own, because it could affect what you get back.
5. What else could you pay? Ask about your excess and any storage at a tow yard while the claim is sorted out.

After a crash, different rules apply

Victoria treats crash towing separately from breakdown towing. Transport Victoria says accident towing is for when you've been in a crash and can't drive the car away, and it has to be done by accredited towing companies. In the Melbourne region the accident towing contact is 13 11 76, and in the Geelong region it's (03) 5277 2111.

Three things are worth knowing if this happens to you:

• If anyone is hurt or you're in danger, call 000 first.
• You must sign an authority to tow before the vehicle is moved. It shows what you're paying for, so keep your copy for the insurer.
• Tow truck drivers can't ask you for repair work at an accident scene, so you don't have to agree to anything like that on the spot.

Our guide to who tows your car after a crash goes through it step by step.

If you're paying for the tow yourself

A breakdown tow is what Transport Victoria calls trade towing, and the price is between you and the operator. So it pays to see that price before you commit.

On RoadM8 you send one request with your pick-up, drop-off and vehicle. Independent tow operators can then quote, and your card isn't charged until you've accepted one. You can also start from your own area, such as towing in Melbourne or towing in Geelong. Quotes depend on who's available near your pick-up at the time.

Whoever does the tow, keep the invoice. It should show the business name, the date, the route and the amount. Even if you don't think your insurer will pay, you'll want that paperwork if the problem turns out to be part of a claim or a warranty repair.

Sort this out before you need it

A roadside breakdown is a bad time to read a policy. Take a few minutes now to save your insurer's claims number in your phone, find out whether you have any roadside cover, and note any towing limit you find. If you don't have roadside cover, here are your options without a membership.

This is general information, not insurance advice. Your own policy and your insurer have the final say on what's covered.