Towing and Labor Coverage
Plain English
Towing and labor coverage pays for a tow when your car can't be driven, and for simple roadside help like a flat-tire change or a jump-start, up to a small limit. It's an inexpensive add-on, and it can overlap with roadside assistance you already have through a car club or your car.
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On this page
Definition
Towing and labor coverage is an optional auto coverage that pays to tow a car that can't be driven and for roadside labor such as changing a flat tire or jump-starting a battery, up to a small dollar limit per occurrence.
Why It Matters
It turns a roadside problem into a small, covered cost. Checking for overlap avoids paying twice for the same service.
Real-World Example
Imagine Maya's car won't start in a parking lot. A jump-start is a small labor charge, and if it doesn't work, a tow to a shop follows. With towing and labor coverage, both could be paid up to the coverage's per-occurrence limit. If her car manufacturer's roadside program already includes towing, she might not need both.
Common Misconceptions
- Paying for this coverage and a roadside club that do the same thing.
- Assuming it pays for the repair itself.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas Department of Insurance: towing and labor "pays to tow your car if it can't be driven. It also pays for labor to change a flat tire or jump-start your battery."
- It has a dollar limit, often small, per the same guide's list of coverages with dollar limits.
- It pays for the tow and roadside labor, not for repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is towing included in collision coverage?
Towing after a covered accident may be paid as part of that claim, depending on the policy. Towing and labor coverage covers breakdowns too.
What's it commonly confused with?
Roadside assistance from a car club or manufacturer, which may offer similar help.
Related Terms
Related Coverages
- Auto Insurance
Related Scenarios
Explore the rest of the Auto Insurance category.
Browse Auto Insurance terms →Sources
The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- tdi.texas.govAuto insurance guide · Texas Department of Insurance
Educational information, not advice: This page is for general education only, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Actual coverage, discounts, and requirements depend on your policy’s wording, your insurer, and the laws of your state. Confirm specifics with your own insurer or a licensed agent before making a decision. Insurpedia does not sell insurance and does not recommend specific insurers.