Georgia’s required liability insurance does not pay to tow your own car. Towing can be covered if your policy includes a roadside or towing add-on, or if the tow follows a covered accident under collision or comprehensive. Whether yours does depends on your policy, so the quickest answer is to read the declarations page or call your insurer.
Insurers write these coverages differently, and we are not an insurer, so treat the rest of this page as a map for what to ask.
What Georgia requires, and what it leaves out
The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance says drivers must carry liability insurance at the state minimums: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per incident for property damage. Liability pays for harm you cause to other people and their property. It does not pay to fix or tow your own vehicle.
The state also explains that physical damage coverage, which pays for loss to your own car, is optional by law. It comes in two kinds: comprehensive, which covers theft, vandalism and fire, and collision, which covers losses from collisions. A lender or leasing company will usually require both on a financed or leased car. See the commissioner’s auto insurance page.
Where towing coverage usually lives
Roadside or towing add-on. Many policies offer an optional endorsement for tows, jump-starts, fuel delivery and lockouts. Limits and mileage vary by insurer, so check the number of miles and the dollar cap.
Collision or comprehensive after a covered loss. If a crash or covered event leaves the car undrivable, the tow to a shop is often handled as part of that claim. Ask your adjuster whether storage and towing fall under the claim.
Credit card, auto club or manufacturer plan. These are not insurance, but they can pay for a tow. See free towing options in Atlanta and roadside assistance without a membership.
What to check on your policy
- Find the declarations page and look for lines called roadside assistance, towing and labor, or emergency road service.
- Note any per-event dollar cap and any distance limit.
- Ask whether you have to use the insurer’s own dispatcher, or can pay and be reimbursed.
- Ask whether a deductible applies.
- Ask whether the cover applies to rentals, trailers or other vehicles you drive.
A policy that says it covers towing may still cap the benefit. If the cap does not cover the whole bill, you pay the difference.
After an accident
The Commissioner’s office advises you to notify police immediately, collect details of the other driver, photograph the scene and notify your insurance company or agent as soon as possible, even if someone else caused the accident. It also advises against making statements about blame. Their claim tips page lists the full steps.
On a busy road like I-285 or the Downtown Connector, police may call a rotation operator for the scene. Remember that a tow ordered by police may be a different type of tow than one you choose, and the price rules are different. See are towing fees regulated in Georgia for the breakdown. If you can choose, the accident recovery page explains how a call works.
If the policy does not cover it
You can pay out of pocket and ask the insurer whether any part can be reimbursed. Keep the receipt with the operator’s name, the pickup and drop-off locations and the total. Get a quote before agreeing, because a consensual tow has no statutory price cap. The tow cost calculator can give a rough idea.
Frequently asked questions
Does liability insurance pay for my tow?
No. Liability covers damage you cause to others, not towing your own vehicle.
Does collision coverage pay for towing after a crash?
It often handles the tow as part of the claim, but confirm with your insurer, including storage fees.
Is roadside assistance part of every policy?
No. It is usually an optional add-on, and limits differ.
Will my rates go up if I use roadside coverage?
We could not confirm a general rule. Ask your insurer how it treats roadside claims.
If you need a tow or roadside call in metro Atlanta, the line at (858) 925-5546 takes calls 24/7.