Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?
No, standard car insurance does not cover towing or roadside recovery. You need separate breakdown cover, either as a standalone policy or as an add-on to your car insurance.
Towing without breakdown cover typically costs £100 to £300 for local recovery, and motorway call-outs can exceed £500. Breakdown cover starts from around £30 to £60 per year and pays for itself with a single call-out.
This applies to all policy types. Whether you have comprehensive, TPFT, or third-party only, none includes towing as standard.
No — recovery is breakdown cover, a different product entirely, and your motor policy will not send a truck. The maths is the same as it always is: one unplanned recovery typically costs more than a year of cover, and a motorway call-out considerably more. Worth checking your bank account or annual policy before buying it twice.
Compare car insurance quotes and add recovery separately.
- Why does car insurance not cover towing?
- What levels of breakdown cover are available?
- How much does towing cost without breakdown cover?
- What should you do if you break down without cover?
- Does UK breakdown cover work abroad?
- Does car insurance cover towing a trailer or caravan?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why does car insurance not cover towing?
Car insurance covers damage to your vehicle and liability to third parties. Towing and roadside recovery are a separate product because they cover a service, not a loss.
Can you add breakdown cover to your car insurance?
Yes, and many insurers offer it as an optional add-on when you buy or renew your policy. Adding it to your car insurance is convenient because everything is on one policy with one renewal date.
Standalone breakdown cover from the AA, RAC, or Green Flag is the alternative. Standalone policies sometimes offer more flexibility on cover levels and can be cheaper than insurer add-ons.
What does breakdown cover actually include?
A mechanic is sent to your location to attempt a roadside repair. If the car cannot be fixed at the roadside, it is towed to a nearby garage at no extra cost to you.
Most policies also include battery jump starts, emergency fuel delivery, and wheel changes. These roadside fixes resolve the majority of breakdowns without needing a tow.
What levels of breakdown cover are available?
Breakdown cover ranges from basic roadside assistance to comprehensive packages including home start, national recovery, and onward travel. The right level depends on your driving habits.
How do the cover levels compare?
| Cover level | What it includes | Typical annual cost | Best for |
| Roadside only | Mechanic and local tow if roadside fix fails | £30-£50 | Low-mileage or local drivers |
| Roadside + home start | Adds cover if car won’t start at home | £40-£65 | Commuters and daily drivers |
| National recovery | Long-distance tow to home or garage of choice | £60-£90 | Regular long-distance drivers |
| Comprehensive package | All above plus onward travel, hotel, hire car | £80-£120 | High-mileage and business drivers |
Is home start cover worth the extra cost?
Basic roadside cover does not cover breakdowns at your home address. If your car will not start on your driveway, you are not covered unless you have home start.
Home start typically adds £10 to £15 per year. Cold weather starting problems are one of the most common breakdown causes in winter, making this upgrade worthwhile for daily drivers.
How much does towing cost without breakdown cover?
A local recovery of up to 10 miles typically costs £100 to £200. Longer distances and motorway call-outs cost considerably more.
What are the typical charges?
Private recovery companies charge a call-out fee of £50 to £100 plus £2 to £4 per mile. A 30-mile tow can cost £160 to £220, and motorway recoveries carry additional surcharges.
A single tow without cover costs more than several years of breakdown cover. Even basic roadside assistance at £30 to £50 per year is one of the most cost-effective additions to your overall motoring budget.
What if you break down on a motorway?
National Highways may arrange recovery if you break down on a motorway, but you are charged for the service. Motorway recovery fees are typically higher than local roads because of the safety requirements involved.
If you have breakdown cover, always call your provider first. They will send a patrol or arrange recovery through their own network, fully covered by your policy.
What should you do if you break down without cover?
Call a local garage or private recovery company and ask for a quote before authorising any work. Some garages offer free or discounted towing if you use them for the repair.
What are your options?
Search online for local recovery companies near your location and compare call-out fees before committing. Avoid accepting the first quote without checking alternatives, especially on motorways where prices are highest.
Contact your car insurer even if you do not have breakdown cover. Some policies include an emergency helpline that can arrange recovery at a discounted rate through their network.
Can you buy breakdown cover after breaking down?
Some providers sell instant breakdown cover, but these policies typically have a waiting period of 24 to 48 hours before you can make a claim. You cannot buy cover and use it immediately for a breakdown that has already happened.
Our tips to lower your premium include advice on bundling breakdown cover with your car insurance to reduce the overall cost.
Does UK breakdown cover work abroad?
Most UK breakdown cover does not extend to Europe or other countries. You need separate European breakdown cover, which typically costs £30 to £60 per year.
Our guide to driving abroad with UK insurance covers the documentation and cover you need for each destination.
What does European breakdown cover include?
Vehicle recovery and repatriation back to the UK if the car cannot be repaired at a local garage abroad. Most policies also include emergency accommodation and onward travel costs.
Single-trip European breakdown cover is available from around £15 to £30 if you only drive abroad occasionally. Annual cover is better value if you make two or more trips per year.
Does car insurance cover towing a trailer or caravan?
This is a separate question from breakdown towing. If you tow a trailer or caravan, your car insurance covers third-party liability while towing, but the trailer itself needs separate cover.
Check the GOV.UK towing rules for weight limits and licence requirements before towing.
What do you need to know?
The rules changed in late 2021. Drivers who passed their car test after 1 January 1997 can now tow a trailer without taking a separate towing test, up to a combined weight of 7,000 kg. Drivers who passed before that date retain higher entitlements. Check your own licence categories on GOV.UK rather than assuming.
Fitting a tow bar counts as a vehicle modification and must be declared to your insurer. Failing to declare it could invalidate your policy.
Our excess guide explains how modifications and declarations affect your cover and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Usually not, because most car insurance policies do not include breakdown cover as standard. Some comprehensive policies offer it as an optional add-on for an extra charge.
You pay for private towing at market rates, typically £100 to £300 for local recovery. Always request a quote before authorising towing to avoid unexpected costs.
Basic roadside cover does not cover breakdowns at your home address. You need home start cover, which typically costs £10 to £15 extra per year.
Response times vary by location, but urban areas typically see assistance within 30 minutes to one hour. Rural and motorway breakdowns may take longer.
Most UK breakdown cover does not extend abroad. You need separate European breakdown cover, typically costing £15 to £60 depending on whether you buy single-trip or annual cover.
With breakdown cover, you can usually request a specific garage within a set distance. Premium policies offer longer towing distances and more flexibility on garage choice.