A tow is free to you only when something you already have pays for it: an insurance roadside add-on, an auto club or credit card plan, a vehicle warranty or a dealer program. Nobody tows for nothing, and a “free tow” advertisement with no source behind it deserves a question. Police-ordered tows are never free, though Atlanta caps what they may bill.
Spend five minutes checking what you already hold before you pay out of pocket. Many drivers carry a benefit they have never used.
Places a free tow can come from
Your auto insurance. A roadside or towing endorsement can cover tows up to a distance or dollar limit. Liability coverage, the kind Georgia requires, does not cover your own tow. The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance explains that required liability pays for damage you cause others, and that physical damage coverage is optional. Read their auto insurance page, and our guide on whether car insurance covers towing in Georgia.
An auto club or roadside membership. These typically cover a set number of tows a year up to a mileage limit. Check the cap before assuming it will cover a long trip. If you do not have one, see roadside assistance without a membership.
Credit card or bank benefits. Some cards include roadside benefits. Terms vary by card and by issuer, so look at the benefits guide for your card or call the number on the back.
Manufacturer or dealer programs. New and some certified pre-owned cars often include roadside help for a period. We could not confirm general terms, so look in your owner’s materials or ask the dealer.
Employer or phone-carrier perks. Less common, but worth a look at the benefits portal.
Police-ordered tows are not free
When police order a tow, the owner pays to get the car back. In the City of Atlanta, the code caps the towing fee at $125 with no storage for the first 24 hours, and it must be accepted by cash, check, debit or major credit card without a surcharge. Capped is not the same as free. County lots charge as well; the DeKalb County lot lists $125 for the impound and $15 a day for storage. The full list of caps is in are towing fees regulated in Georgia.
Private-lot tows are not free either
A non-consensual tow from an apartment or retail lot follows the state tariff, with a $228 ceiling for most cars and no storage for the first 24 hours. If the car has not been hooked or loaded and you come back with the key and drive off, no fee is charged, which is the one case where a tow attempt costs nothing. See what a Georgia tow-away sign has to say.
After a crash
If the crash was covered by your collision coverage, the tow is often handled in the claim. If another driver was at fault, their insurer may eventually pay, but you might have to pay at the scene and be reimbursed. The state’s claim tips say to tell your insurer promptly, even when someone else caused the accident. For help moving a wrecked car, see accident recovery.
A five-minute check before you call
- Open your insurance app or policy declarations and search for towing.
- Look for the roadside number on your insurance card.
- Check whether you belong to an auto club and the tow mileage cap.
- Look at the benefits guide for your credit card.
- If your car is new, search for the manufacturer’s roadside number in the manual.
If one of these covers you, call that number first, since many plans want to dispatch the tow themselves or reimburse only if you called them.
When no plan covers you
You can still pay for a tow, and you can ask for a price before the truck is sent. A request you make yourself is not capped by statute, so compare. The tow cost calculator gives a ballpark, and roadside no AAA explains the option for drivers without a club.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a number I can call for a free tow in Atlanta?
We know of no public free-tow service. A tow is free only when a plan, insurer or warranty pays.
Does my warranty cover towing?
Some do for a period. Check your owner’s materials or ask the dealer.
Is a tow after an accident free?
Not automatically. Collision coverage or the at-fault driver’s insurance may pay, depending on the case.
Do I have to pay if my car was towed by police?
Yes, to retrieve it. Atlanta caps the city tow fee at $125.
If you need a tow or roadside call in metro Atlanta, the line at (858) 925-5546 takes calls 24/7.