Who Is Responsible for Towing Fees
The at-fault driver's insurance owes your towing fees, but you may need to pay upfront and get reimbursed.
The at-fault insurer owes it, but timing is the catch
When another driver causes a crash, their liability coverage is supposed to make you whole. That includes the cost of towing your car away from the scene and to a repair shop or storage lot. Towing is treated as part of the property damage claim, the same category as the repair bill itself.
The complication is timing. Claims take time to investigate, and most tow companies want payment right away, often before you even leave the scene. That means you often pay out of pocket first and get reimbursed later once the at-fault insurer accepts the claim. If you have your own collision or roadside coverage, your insurer can often pay the tow immediately and then recover that cost from the other side, which is usually faster for you.
Fault matters here more than people expect. If liability is contested or unclear, the at-fault insurer may refuse to pay anything until the investigation wraps up, leaving the towing bill in limbo. In that situation your own insurer becomes the faster path, since they don't need to wait on someone else's fault determination to help you.
Storage fees are a separate trap. Many lots charge daily rates that climb fast, and insurers sometimes argue over how many days of storage were reasonable. Moving your car to a lower-cost lot quickly, once you're able to, protects you from a dispute over who should pay weeks of accumulated storage charges.
What if the at-fault driver's insurer refuses to pay the tow bill?
You have two main options. First, you can push the claim directly, asking the adjuster in writing to confirm they'll cover the towing and storage as part of the property damage claim. Keep receipts and the storage invoice so there's no dispute about the amount.
Second, and often faster, you can pay the bill yourself or run it through your own insurer if you carry collision or roadside coverage, then seek reimbursement afterward. Your insurer can pursue the at-fault insurer for the cost through subrogation, which takes that fight off your plate entirely. This path tends to move quicker because you're not waiting on someone else's investigation to get your car out of a storage lot that's charging by the day.
Whether to pay the tow bill yourself and seek reimbursement later
If you do
You get your car moved immediately, avoid growing storage fees, and keep the process in your own hands. You'll need to keep every receipt and invoice. Once the at-fault driver's insurer accepts the claim, you submit those documents and get reimbursed, usually without much argument since towing is a standard, easy to verify cost.
If you don't
Your car may sit at the original tow lot while you wait for the at-fault insurer to decide whether to pay, and storage charges can build up daily. If fault is disputed or the investigation stalls, you could be stuck with a growing bill and no clear timeline for resolution or reimbursement.
Once you know who covers the tow, compare quotes to see which policy would get your car moving fastest next time.
What to do about the towing bill right now
- Get the invoice itemized Ask the tow company for a clear breakdown of towing and any storage fees. A detailed invoice makes it much easier for either insurer to approve payment without delay.
- Move the car off the clock Daily storage fees add up fast and insurers sometimes dispute how many days were reasonable. Transfer your car to a shop or lower-cost lot as soon as you're able.
- Use your own coverage first If you carry collision or roadside assistance, your insurer can often pay the tow right away and recover the cost from the at-fault insurer later. This is usually faster than waiting on the other side.
- Keep every receipt Save the tow receipt, storage invoice, and any correspondence with the adjuster. These documents are what make reimbursement straightforward instead of a dispute.
- Ask who's paying in writing Get the at-fault insurer or your own insurer to confirm in writing who is covering the towing bill. A written answer avoids confusion later if the bill goes unpaid.
Don't wait on a fault investigation to move your car. Paying first and getting reimbursed is often faster.
Can the tow company put a lien on my car if the bill isn't paid?
Yes, this can happen, and it varies by state and by the tow company's policies. If a towing or storage bill goes unpaid long enough, the lot may be entitled to place a lien on the vehicle, which can eventually lead to the car being sold to cover the debt. This is exactly why moving your car to a lower-cost location quickly matters, and why getting clarity in writing about who is paying protects you from the bill sitting unresolved. Check your state's rules on mechanic's or storage liens, and don't assume you have unlimited time before this becomes a real risk.
Will using my own coverage for towing raise my insurance rate?
It shouldn't, but check with your insurer directly since practices vary by company. Most insurers treat claims where you were not at fault differently from at-fault claims, especially once liability is confirmed and they recover costs from the other driver's insurer through subrogation. Ask your insurer specifically how they handle not-at-fault claims and whether using roadside or collision coverage here would affect your rate. Getting that answer before you file protects you from surprises.
What if I don't have collision coverage and the at-fault insurer is slow to pay?
You'll likely need to pay the towing and storage bill yourself upfront and seek reimbursement once the claim is resolved. Keep every receipt and push the adjuster in writing for a timeline on the property damage decision. If storage fees are climbing, ask the tow lot about moving the car sooner rather than waiting, since you may be responsible for proving which charges were reasonable later. If the delay drags on, some state consumer protection offices or insurance departments can help push a stalled claim along.
