After a collision in Oakville, the towing bill is probably the last thing on your mind — but it can easily add $150–$400+ to an already stressful situation. The good news: if you have the right insurance coverage, your towing costs may be fully covered, and you may not need to pay anything out of pocket at the scene.
The challenge is that most drivers don’t know exactly what their policy covers, how direct billing works, or what documentation they need to provide. This confusion is exactly what predatory tow operators exploit — pressuring accident victims into signing inflated invoices that their insurer later refuses to pay in full.
This guide explains how insurance towing works in Ontario, the difference between accident towing and breakdown towing coverage, how our direct billing process eliminates upfront costs, what your insurer needs from you, and how to avoid storage fees that can quietly accumulate to hundreds of dollars. Whether you’ve been in a collision, had your keys locked in your car, or need a breakdown tow, understanding your insurance coverage saves money and prevents surprises.
📋 What’s in This Guide
- Accident Towing vs. Breakdown Towing — The Coverage Difference
- How Direct Billing Works
- Ontario Insurance Coverage Types That Include Towing
- What Your Insurer Needs from You
- Where to Tow Your Car After an Accident
- How to Avoid Storage Fees
- What Roadside Services Does Insurance Cover?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Accident Towing vs. Breakdown Towing — The Coverage Difference
This is the most important distinction in insurance towing, and the one most drivers get wrong:
✅ Accident / Collision Towing
Covered under: Collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) if not at fault.
When it applies: Vehicle is damaged in a collision and cannot be driven. This is treated as part of your accident claim.
Key point: Towing costs are bundled into the claim — no separate towing add-on needed.
⚠️ Breakdown / Mechanical Towing
Covered under: Roadside assistance add-on (OPCF 35 in Ontario) or auto club membership (CAA).
When it applies: Engine failure, dead battery, flat tire, running out of gas, lockout — non-collision events.
Key point: Only covered if you purchased the endorsement. Basic policies do NOT include breakdown towing.
Before you need a tow, check your insurance declarations page for line items like “Roadside Assistance,” “Towing & Labour,” “OPCF 35,” or “Emergency Road Service.” If you don’t see these, breakdown towing is out of pocket. Accident towing, however, is almost always covered under collision or DCPD coverage — ask your insurer to confirm.
How Our Direct Billing Process Works
When you call (289) 430-6172 for an insurance towing service, we handle the insurance coordination so you can focus on safety and your claim:
Tell us it’s an insurance claim. We ask for your location, vehicle details, and your insurance company name. We dispatch immediately — insurance details don’t delay your tow.
Your preferred body shop, the Collision Reporting Centre, your home, or a dealership — you choose. We use flatbed towing for all collision-damaged vehicles.
You receive an itemized invoice showing pickup location, destination, time, services performed, and total cost — exactly what your insurer requires for claim processing.
Under the TSSEA, your insurance representative has the right to engage directly with towing operators. We work with all major Ontario insurers to streamline billing, whether through direct billing or by providing the documentation you need for reimbursement.
For insured accident tows, the goal is zero out-of-pocket cost at the scene. Your insurer processes the claim and handles payment. For reimbursement-based policies, we provide everything you need for a fast claim submission.
Ontario Insurance Coverage Types That Include Towing
Pro tip: The OPCF 35 endorsement typically costs only $20–$40 per year and covers breakdown towing, battery boosts, flat tire assistance, lockouts, and fuel delivery. If you don’t have it, ask your insurer to add it at your next renewal — it pays for itself with a single service call.
Insurance Towing — Direct Billing — 24/7
We Handle the Insurance. You Handle Your Day.
All major insurers · Itemized invoices · Flatbed for collision vehicles · No upfront cost
(289) 430-6172
What Your Insurer Needs from You
To process a towing claim smoothly, have these details ready when you call your insurance company after the tow:
Found on your insurance card or declarations page.
Vehicle damage, road conditions, license plates, accident location.
We provide this — shows pickup/drop-off, services, and cost.
Exact locations — highway marker, intersection, body shop address.
Included on our invoice. Important for after-hours rate verification.
Towing Oakville — (289) 430-6172. On all our invoices.
Where to Tow Your Car After an Accident
The destination you choose for your accident tow affects your insurance claim timeline and your out-of-pocket costs. Here are your options from best to worst for minimizing delays and fees:
Gets the repair process started immediately. Eliminates storage fees entirely. If you use your insurer’s recommended shop, you may receive a workmanship guarantee. You’re not required to use their shop — you can always choose your own.
Required for property-damage-only collisions over $2,000 in most Ontario jurisdictions. We tow you there first, then on to the body shop. Two-stop tows are common and we handle them seamlessly.
Avoids storage fees while you wait for an adjuster. Good option if the damage is cosmetic and the car is safe to store. But it can delay the repair timeline since the adjuster needs to inspect it separately.
If a “chaser” tow truck takes your car to their affiliated yard, you can face daily storage fees ($40–$80+ per day) that accumulate while you sort out your claim. Always choose your own destination.
How to Avoid Storage Fees
Storage fees are the hidden cost that catches most drivers off-guard after an accident. A vehicle sitting in a storage yard can rack up $40–$80+ per day — and your insurance may only cover a limited number of days. Here’s how to minimize or eliminate storage costs:
What Roadside Services Does Insurance Cover?
If you have an OPCF 35 endorsement or roadside assistance add-on, these services are typically covered beyond just accident towing:
Dead battery jump start — usually covered under roadside add-on.
Spare tire swap on-site — covered under roadside assistance.
Tow truck keys locked in car situations — locksmith service often covered.
⛽ Fuel Delivery
Emergency gas delivery — some policies include a small fuel amount.
Vehicle stuck in ditch, snow, or mud — may be covered under roadside add-on.
Mechanical failure tow — covered with OPCF 35. Check distance limits.
We also offer heavy-duty towing, motorcycle towing, and long-distance towing — all 24/7. View our full roadside assistance options, all services, and service area. Contact us anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions — Insurance Towing
Does insurance cover towing after an accident in Ontario?
In most cases, yes. If you have collision coverage or are not at fault (covered under DCPD), towing is included as part of the claim. Towing costs are treated as associated expenses within the claim, not a separate charge.
Do I need to call my insurance before getting a tow?
Not always. In an emergency, safety comes first — call (289) 430-6172 and get towed to a safe location. You can notify your insurer afterward. Insurance details don’t delay our dispatch. However, calling your insurer shortly after ensures the claim process starts quickly.
What is OPCF 35?
OPCF 35 is an Ontario auto insurance endorsement for “Towing and Labour.” It covers breakdown towing, battery boost, flat tire change, lockout, and fuel delivery — services not covered under basic collision or liability policies. It typically costs $20–$40/year and is highly recommended.
Will I have to pay out of pocket for towing?
For insured accident tows with direct billing, typically no. For reimbursement-based policies, you may pay upfront and submit the invoice for reimbursement (usually processed in 5–10 business days). For breakdowns without roadside coverage, towing is out of pocket.
Does insurance cover a tow truck if I lock my keys in the car?
Only if you have a roadside assistance add-on or OPCF 35 endorsement. Basic liability and collision policies do not cover lockout service. Without coverage, our car lockout service costs $50–$120. Call (289) 430-6172 for immediate help.
Where should I tow my car after an accident?
The best option is usually your preferred body shop or your insurer’s recommended shop — this starts repairs immediately and avoids storage fees. If you need to report the collision first, tow to the Collision Reporting Centre, then on to the shop. Towing home is acceptable if the car is safe to store.
How much does insurance-covered towing cost?
You don’t pay the towing cost directly — it’s covered by your claim. Our rates are TSSEA-compliant and within the published maximum rate schedule. We charge the same transparent rates whether the tow is insurance-billed or out of pocket. There are no inflated “insurance pricing” markups.
Which insurance companies do you work with?
We work with all major Ontario auto insurers — Intact, Aviva, Economical, TD Insurance, Sonnet, Belair Direct, Allstate, Wawanesa, Co-operators, and more. Our documentation meets the requirements of every major insurer’s claims process.
Can my insurer send their own tow truck?
Some insurers have preferred towing providers, and using them may simplify billing. However, under the TSSEA you always have the right to choose your own tow company. Many drivers prefer calling a trusted local company like us to avoid being steered to an insurer-affiliated storage yard.
Does filing a towing claim raise my insurance rates?
Towing claims filed as part of an accident claim don’t add a separate charge — the tow is part of the collision claim. Standalone roadside assistance calls (battery boost, lockout) filed under OPCF 35 generally don’t affect your rates, though policies vary. Check with your insurer for your specific policy.
Insurance Towing — We Handle the Billing
Accident? Breakdown? We Coordinate with Your Insurer.
Direct billing · All major insurers · Itemized documentation · TSSEA compliant · 24/7
(289) 430-6172