Does Insurance Cover Towing in Nova Scotia? What You Need to Know
You just had your car towed and now you’re staring at a $150 receipt wondering: does my insurance actually pay for this? Or maybe you’re planning ahead, trying to figure out whether you need CAA membership on top of your auto insurance, or whether your policy already covers the towing charges you’d face in an emergency.
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no — it depends on your specific policy, the reason for the tow, and whether you have roadside assistance coverage. This guide breaks down exactly how insurance towing works in Nova Scotia: what’s typically covered, what’s excluded, how much you can claim, and how to file for reimbursement without mistakes that delay or deny your claim.
3 Ways Your Insurance May Cover Towing
Nova Scotia auto insurance can cover towing through three different mechanisms. Auto insurance in NS is regulated by the Nova Scotia Superintendent of Insurance, and most policies offer towing benefits. Check your policy:
Roadside Assistance Coverage (SEF 13D or similar)
This is the most common form of towing coverage. It’s either included in your policy or available as a low-cost add-on ($10–$30/year). Covers towing from a breakdown, plus services like battery boost, car lockout, fuel delivery, and flat tire change. Usually covers $50–$100 per incident with some policies covering more.
Collision Coverage (Section C)
If your vehicle is towed after an accident, the towing charges are typically covered under your collision coverage as part of the claim. This covers the tow from the accident scene to a repair shop. The towing cost is rolled into the total collision claim — no separate towing limit applies.
Comprehensive Coverage (Section D)
If your vehicle is damaged by a non-collision event (fire, flood, vandalism, falling objects) and needs towing, the tow cost is typically covered under your comprehensive claim. Same as collision — the towing charge is part of the total claim, not a separate line item.
💡 Key distinction: Roadside assistance covers towing from breakdowns (mechanical failure, dead battery, flat tire). Collision and comprehensive coverage pays for towing after incidents (accidents, storms, vandalism). You need the right type of coverage for the right situation.
What’s Typically Covered Under Insurance Towing
✅ Usually Covered
✓ Tow after a mechanical breakdown
✓ Tow after an at-fault or not-at-fault accident
✓ Battery boost / jump start
✓ Car lockout service
✓ Emergency fuel delivery
✓ Flat tire change (labour only)
✓ Winch recovery from a ditch (some policies)
✓ Towing after storm/flood damage
❌ Usually NOT Covered
✗ Parking violation tow (municipality towed you)
✗ Impound fees and storage charges
✗ Towing for routine maintenance
✗ Towing due to expired registration
✗ Towing a vehicle you don’t own/insure
✗ Commercial vehicle towing (personal policy)
✗ Towing exceeding your distance limit
✗ Scrap car removal (not an emergency)
How Much Does Insurance Pay for Towing?
Coverage amounts vary by policy and insurer. Here’s the typical range for Nova Scotia:
Compare these limits to what towing actually costs in Halifax: a local tow runs $75–$150, a medium-distance tow is $125–$250, and long-distance towing can be $500–$2,000+. If your roadside assistance limit is only $75 and the tow costs $175, you pay the $100 difference. For full pricing details, see our Halifax towing cost guide.
Need a Tow? We Work With All Insurance Claims.
We provide receipts accepted by every NS insurer for reimbursement
(902) 593-3918
How to File an Insurance Claim for Towing (Step by Step)
Most NS insurers use a pay-and-claim model for towing: you pay the tow operator at the time of service, then submit for reimbursement. Here’s how to do it correctly:
6 Mistakes That Get Towing Claims Denied
Without a proper receipt showing company name, date, vehicle info, locations, service, and cost, the insurer can’t process the claim. Always get a detailed receipt before the tow operator leaves.
Parking violation tows, impound releases, and routine transport are not covered under roadside assistance. Submitting these as emergency tows will be denied and may flag your account.
Most policies require claims within 30–90 days. File the claim within a week of the tow — don’t let the receipt sit in your glove box for six months.
If your policy covers $75 for towing and the tow costs $200, you only get $75 back. Know your limit before the emergency — it helps you decide whether to call your insurer’s provider or a direct service for potentially faster response.
Cash payments without a proper receipt are almost impossible to claim. Pay with card for automatic transaction records. If you must pay cash, get a handwritten receipt with all required details and the operator’s signature.
Some policies require you to call the insurer’s dispatch line to arrange the tow. If you call your own tow company instead, some policies may reduce or deny reimbursement. Check your policy’s requirements.
Does Filing a Towing Claim Raise Your Insurance Rates?
This is the #1 question drivers ask — and the answer depends on the type of claim:
Battery boost, lockout, fuel delivery, flat tire change, and breakdown towing through your roadside assistance endorsement are not typically counted as insurance claims and should not impact your premiums. These are service benefits, not loss claims.
If the tow is part of an accident claim, your rates may increase at renewal based on the overall claim — not the towing specifically. An at-fault collision claim will almost certainly affect premiums. A not-at-fault claim typically won’t, though this varies by insurer.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, roadside assistance usage should not be treated as a claims event. However, insurers’ practices vary — if you’re concerned, ask your insurer directly before filing.
Beyond Insurance: Other Ways to Cover Towing Charges
Auto insurance isn’t the only way to cover tow cost. Here are three more options:
$90–$180/year covers towing up to 10–320 km (depending on tier), plus all roadside services. No per-incident cost. For a detailed comparison, see our CAA vs. private roadside guide.
Premium cards (Visa Infinite, Mastercard World Elite, Amex Gold/Platinum) often include roadside assistance. Coverage varies — some cap at $100, others cover the full range. Check your card’s benefits guide or call the number on the back.
Most new vehicles (3–5 years from purchase) include complimentary roadside assistance. Connected services apps (OnStar, Toyota Connected, FordPass) let you request help directly from the car’s infotainment system.
What If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?
If another driver caused the accident and your vehicle needs towing, the towing charges should ultimately be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance — not yours. Here’s how this typically works in Nova Scotia:
Pay for the tow yourself at the scene. The tow needs to happen now — you can’t wait for insurance companies to sort out fault.
Get a detailed receipt. Same requirements as above — company name, date, vehicle info, locations, total cost.
File through your own insurer. Your insurer pays you and then subrogate (recovers the cost) from the at-fault driver’s insurer. You may need to pay your deductible initially, which is also recovered.
File the accident report promptly. The collision report supports your claim and establishes fault. If you haven’t reported yet, see our minor accident guide or collision reporting centre guide.
Insurance-Friendly Towing Across Halifax
Halifax Towing provides 24/7 towing with insurance-ready receipts accepted by all NS insurers. We also offer battery boost, car lockout, fuel delivery, flatbed towing, and full roadside assistance across the HRM:
View our full service area. For tips on choosing a reliable towing company, see our guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance and Towing
Does insurance cover towing in Nova Scotia?
Yes — most NS auto insurance policies cover towing either through roadside assistance coverage (for breakdowns) or collision/comprehensive coverage (for accidents and damage events). Coverage limits vary by policy. Check your specific policy or call your insurer to confirm your towing benefits.
How much does insurance pay for a tow?
Roadside assistance coverage typically pays $50–$250 per incident, depending on your policy tier. Collision and comprehensive claims include towing as part of the total claim with no separate towing limit. If the tow cost exceeds your roadside assistance limit, you pay the difference.
Will a towing claim raise my insurance rates?
Roadside assistance claims (battery boost, lockout, breakdown towing) typically do not affect your premium because they’re service benefits, not loss claims. However, if the tow is part of a collision claim (especially at-fault), your rates may increase at renewal due to the collision claim, not the towing specifically.
Do I pay for the tow upfront or does insurance pay the tow company?
Most NS insurers use a pay-and-claim model: you pay the tow operator at the time of service, then submit the receipt for reimbursement. Some insurers have their own dispatch line where they arrange and pay for the tow directly — check your policy for specific instructions.
Does insurance cover impound fees?
Generally no. Impound fees resulting from parking violations or police seizure are not covered by auto insurance. These are penalties, not emergency services. You’ll need to pay impound and storage fees out of pocket. See our guide on getting your car back from the impound lot.
What if the other driver’s insurance should pay for my tow?
In a not-at-fault accident, pay for the tow yourself and file through your own insurer. Your insurer reimburses you and then recovers (subrogates) the cost from the at-fault driver’s insurance. Your deductible is also recovered through this process. Keep all receipts and the collision report.
How much does roadside assistance cost to add to my insurance?
In Nova Scotia, roadside assistance can typically be added to your auto insurance policy for $10–$30 per year. This covers towing, battery boost, lockout, fuel delivery, and flat tire change. It’s one of the most cost-effective insurance add-ons available — a single tow without coverage costs more than a year of the endorsement.
Does my credit card cover towing?
Some premium credit cards include roadside assistance as a cardholder benefit. Coverage varies by card — Visa Infinite, Mastercard World Elite, and American Express Gold/Platinum commonly include it. Check your card’s benefits guide or call the number on the back for specifics.
What receipt do I need for a towing insurance claim?
Your receipt needs: tow company name and contact info, date and time, your vehicle make/model/plate, pickup location, drop-off location, service performed, and total cost. Pay by card for automatic transaction records. Halifax Towing provides insurance-ready receipts on every service call.
How long does insurance take to reimburse towing costs?
Most NS insurers process towing reimbursement within 1–3 weeks of receiving your claim and receipt. Collision and comprehensive claims may take longer as they’re processed as part of the larger claim. File promptly and provide complete documentation to avoid delays.
Need a Tow? We Handle Insurance Claims.
24/7 service • Insurance-ready receipts • Accepted by all NS insurers
Get towed now, file your claim later — we make it easy
(902) 593-3918