> **Quick Answer:** Yes, State Farm can pay for towing after an accident, but it depends on which coverage you have. Comprehensive or collision coverage typically includes towing when your car is undriveable after a crash. State Farm's Emergency Road Service add-on covers towing for breakdowns too. If the other driver was at fault, their liability coverage may pay instead. Call State Farm at the number on your insurance card immediately.
## Does State Farm Cover Towing After an Accident, or Only Breakdowns?
State Farm covers towing after an accident under your collision coverage, not just roadside assistance. If your car is undriveable after a crash and you carry collision coverage on that vehicle, State Farm will pay to tow it to a repair facility. Your deductible applies to the overall collision claim, but the tow itself is folded into that claim, not billed separately.
Roadside assistance, which State Farm calls Emergency Road Service, is a separate add-on that handles breakdowns, dead batteries, and lockouts. It covers towing too, but it is designed for mechanical failures, not crashes. After an accident, collision is the policy that gets triggered.
If you are not sure which coverages are on your policy right now, check your declarations page or log into the State Farm app. The coverages are listed per vehicle.
## What If the Accident Was the Other Driver's Fault?
If the other driver caused the accident, their bodily injury and property damage liability policy should cover your tow. That means you go through their insurer, not State Farm, for the tow cost. The catch: the other driver's insurer may drag its feet on approving the tow while they investigate fault. You may end up paying out of pocket and getting reimbursed later.
The faster path is to file through your own State Farm collision coverage, get your car moved, and let State Farm subrogate against the at-fault driver's insurer to recover costs. You may owe your deductible temporarily, but State Farm will refund it if they collect from the other side. For a deeper look at how fault affects who cuts the check, see [who pays towing costs after a not-at-fault accident](/who-pays-towing-costs-after-not-at-fault-accident/).
## How Do I Actually Get State Farm to Pay for the Tow Right Now?
Call the number on your State Farm insurance card from the scene. Do not wait until you get home. State Farm can dispatch a tow truck through their network, or you can arrange your own tow and submit for reimbursement. If you arrange your own, keep every receipt.
A few things to do at the scene before the tow arrives:
- Call 911 if there are injuries or the car is blocking traffic.
- Document the damage with photos before the tow truck hooks up.
- Get the other driver's insurance information and the police report number.
- Note the tow company name, driver name, and where they are taking your car.
If your car ends up in an impound lot rather than a repair shop, fees can pile up fast. Push to have it moved directly to a body shop you have chosen. You generally have the right to choose your own shop. See [car accident on highway: do police call the tow truck or can you choose](/car-accident-on-highway-do-police-call-tow-truck-or-can-i-choose/) for how that decision plays out when police are involved.
## Does It Matter Where the Accident Happened?
State Farm coverage follows your vehicle, not
*Photo: Pexels*
your geography. A crash in your home state and a crash two states over trigger the same collision coverage. The tow is covered either way.
The practical issue with out-of-state accidents is that tow truck dispatch through State Farm may take longer if you are in a rural area without a nearby network provider. If you are on a remote highway and need to move fast, hire a local tow and save the receipt. State Farm will reimburse reasonable tow costs when a claim is filed. If you are also dealing with a flat or road hazard that contributed to the crash, the process for [car hydroplaned into a ditch](/car-hydroplaned-into-ditch-towing-options/) is similar. Call State Farm first, document everything, get the car to safety.
## Will Filing a Tow Claim Raise My State Farm Rate?
Filing a collision claim after an accident can affect your rate at renewal, but the tow itself is not the trigger. The collision claim is what State Farm rates against your history. If you have State Farm's Emergency Road Service and use it for a post-accident tow, that is a separate coverage and typically does not affect your collision or comprehensive rates the same way. Check your policy or ask your agent directly before filing if the tow cost is minor and close to your deductible, it may not be worth filing a full collision claim for a small tow.
---
*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does State Farm roadside assistance cover towing after a crash, or just breakdowns?**
A: State Farm's Emergency Road Service is designed for breakdowns, but it can cover towing after a crash depending on how the claim is categorized. For accidents where your car is undriveable, collision coverage is the correct policy to use and it covers the tow cost as part of the claim.
**Q: How much will State Farm reimburse for a tow after an accident?**
A: State Farm does not publish a fixed dollar cap for accident towing under collision coverage. They cover reasonable tow costs to the nearest qualified repair facility. If you hire your own tow, keep the receipt and submit it with your claim.
**Q: What if my car gets towed to an impound lot after an accident, will State Farm pay those fees?**
A: State Farm will typically cover the initial tow. Storage and impound fees that accumulate after the initial tow are less consistent and depend on how quickly you act to release the vehicle. Move your car out of impound to a repair facility as fast as possible to limit those costs.
**Q: Do I need to call State Farm before I get a tow, or can I arrange it myself?**
A: You can arrange your own tow in an emergency without prior approval. Save your receipt and submit it when you file the claim. Calling State Farm first is better if you have time, because they can dispatch directly and you avoid the reimbursement wait.
**Q: Does State Farm cover towing if my airbags deployed and the car is totaled?**
A: Yes. Collision coverage applies whether the car is repairable or declared a total loss. The tow to a facility for the damage assessment is covered as part of the collision claim. See [airbag deployed car still runs: can I drive it](/airbag-deployed-car-still-runs-can-i-drive-it/) if you are unsure whether your car is actually safe to move under its own power.
---
*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-state-farm-pay-for-towing-after-accident/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Back to Articles
Does State Farm Pay for Towing After Accident: What You're Actually Covered For: What To Do Next
State Farm pays for towing after an accident, but only if you have the right coverage. Here's exactly what applies and how to use it.
Read the original article and join the discussion on Dev.to
Read on Dev.toAuthor
Roadside America
@roadsideamericatowingStats
Reactions0
Comments0
Read Time5 min