Your car just got hit on I-75. You're on the shoulder, shaken, and now you're watching a tow truck back toward your vehicle. The question that hits almost everyone at that moment: will my insurance pay for this?
The honest answer: it depends — on your coverage type, who was at fault, and whether you're calling a tow company of your choice or getting picked up by a non-consent tow. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how Texas auto insurance handles towing after an accident, so you know exactly where you stand before you need it.
The Short Answer: Coverage Depends on Your Policy Type
Texas is a liability-only state by default. If you carry only the state minimum coverage, you have no towing benefit unless you added it separately — the tow comes out of your pocket.
However, if you carry any of the following, you likely have some protection:
- Comprehensive or collision coverage — most policies include towing reimbursement when comp/collision is on the policy
- Roadside assistance add-on — a separate endorsement sold by most Texas insurers, often $5–$10/month
- Motor club membership (AAA, USAA roadside, etc.) — covers towing up to a set distance regardless of fault
Bottom line: check your declarations page now, before you need it. Don't assume you're covered.
When the Other Driver Is At Fault
Texas follows a fault-based system. If the other driver caused the crash, their liability insurance is responsible for your vehicle damage — including the tow. You file a claim with their insurer, not yours.
In theory, the at-fault driver's insurer pays your towing bill. In practice:
- The other insurer may dispute fault, delay the claim, or cap reimbursement to a "reasonable rate" that doesn't match what you were actually charged.
- If the at-fault driver is uninsured — about 1 in 8 Texas drivers carries no insurance — you fall back on your own coverage. This is why UM/UIM coverage matters.
- Non-consent tows (dispatched by police, not you) often charge higher rates. At-fault insurers routinely fight these charges.
Pro tip: If your car can be moved safely, call a tow company of your choosing before a non-consent tow is dispatched. Under Texas law (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2308), you have the right to choose your own towing company. Exercising that right often saves significant money and headaches.
When You're At Fault (or Fault Is Disputed)
If you caused the accident, your liability coverage pays for the other driver's damages — not yours. Your own vehicle's tow and repair fall to your collision coverage, if you have it.
Most collision policies reimburse towing to the nearest qualified repair facility. Some cap reimbursement at a flat dollar amount ($100–$250 is common). Check your policy language for "towing and labor" or "transportation expenses."
When fault is disputed — common in multi-car accidents on high-traffic stretches like I-635 or the Dallas North Tollway — both insurers may delay processing. In that scenario, filing under your own collision coverage (paying the deductible now) is often faster than waiting for the other insurer to accept liability.
Roadside Assistance vs. Towing Reimbursement: Not the Same Thing
Many drivers confuse these two. Here's the difference:
- Roadside assistance is an active dispatch service. You call a number and they send a truck. Coverage is usually limited to a certain number of tows per year and a mileage cap (often 15–50 miles). Accident tows may or may not be included depending on your carrier — some exclude them and treat them as collision claims instead.
- Towing reimbursement is a refund process. You pay out of pocket, then file a claim with receipts. You can usually use any licensed company, but expect a reimbursement cap.
Read your policy's roadside assistance terms carefully. Don't assume accident tows are included.
Non-Consent Tows After Accidents in Dallas: A Different Animal
When Dallas Police respond to an accident, they sometimes dispatch a tow company from their rotation list — a non-consent (or non-consensual) tow. You didn't choose the company, and you often don't get the chance to.
Non-consent tow rates in Dallas are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), but they can still be significantly higher than standard market rates. The vehicle typically goes to a storage lot that begins charging daily fees immediately. Insurance companies routinely challenge these charges.
How to avoid it: Under Texas law, if your car can be moved safely, you are not required to wait for a police-dispatched tow. Call your preferred company right away. Our TDLR-licensed operators (license #0654316VSF) can often arrive before a police-dispatched truck, giving you full control over where your vehicle goes.
What to Do at the Scene to Protect Your Claim
- Call your insurer before authorizing a tow — many policies require notification, and some have preferred vendors.
- Get the tow company's details in writing — name, TDLR license number, destination, and estimated charges. You have the right to know the rate before they hook up your vehicle.
- Photograph the tow truck, your vehicle, and the hook-up — if damage occurs during towing, you'll need documentation.
- Ask where your vehicle is being taken — you can often specify a repair facility. Letting the tow company choose frequently means higher storage fees.
- Keep your receipt — required for any reimbursement claim.
A Note on Dallas Police Response Times
Dallas PD response time for non-injury accidents is typically 45–90 minutes. That's a long time to sit on the shoulder of I-75 or I-30. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.022, drivers can move vehicles off the roadway after a non-injury crash — you don't have to leave your car blocking traffic while you wait, and you don't have to accept a non-consent tow if you can arrange your own.
Know your rights — they can save you real money.
Have Questions? Call Us First
Texas Tows has been serving the Dallas area since 2015. Our operators work accident scenes daily on I-75, I-635, I-30, and the Dallas North Tollway. We'll walk you through your options, work with your insurance adjuster if needed, and get your vehicle to the right place the first time.
Call us at (817) 512-1024 — 24/7, TDLR licensed, no wait.
Learn more about our accident recovery towing service, flatbed towing fleet, or review our standard towing service options. We serve North Dallas, Lake Highlands, and the Medical District — and everywhere in between.
