Does car insurance cover tow and storage fees after an accident?
Your auto insurance may cover towing and storage after an accident, depending on your policy. Some plans only cover it if you also have a roadside assistance plan.
Washington is not a no-fault state. Washington State is a comparative fault state, meaning the fault of all parties involved in a car accident comes into play when determining compensation for damages. Therefore, consult your insurance company about tow and storage fee compensation is recommended.
You should retrieve your vehicle from storage as soon as you can. The mitigation of damages rule states that you must use reasonable care and diligence in an effort to minimize or avoid injury. That means the insurance company won’t pay storage fees for any longer than they think is reasonable — and then you’ll be stuck with the bill.
Find out what your insurance can cover
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should find out if you have roadside assistance, and if you do, you should find out how much you’re covered for. Often, collision insurance covers towing after an accident as well, regardless of fault. Your insurance company may have a preferred towing service, and if that’s the case, then you should use that towing company to tow your car.