Does Geico cover towing?

Geico customers typically must purchase roadside assistance services for a car insurance policy to cover towing. Geico towing services will bring your car to the nearest repair facility within 20 miles of your breakdown if your vehicle doesn’t start.

Rates for Geico’s roadside assistance start at $1.16 per month or $14 annually. They vary based on your ZIP code and the type of vehicle you drive.

To qualify for the Geico emergency roadside assistance plan, you must purchase collision and comprehensive insurance.

In some scenarios, Geico comprehensive and collision insurance may also cover a tow, but it depends on your deductible limits, how the damage occurred, and why it is necessary.

Does Geico cover towing?

Many drivers wonder, does auto insurance cover towing? Yes, the Geico car insurance company covers towing as long as you purchase the appropriate types of coverage.

Basic policies that meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements don’t include the insurance types that reimburse you for towing costs.

For example, liability coverage only pays for the bodily injury and property damage for the other party involved in an accident you cause. It won’t cover the cost of towing your vehicle.

For mechanical breakdowns — one of the most common scenarios requiring a tow — you must invest in the available roadside assistance with Geico. You can request emergency roadside services directly in the Geico mobile app if your car breaks down while you’re driving.

Customers can also access the services on the company website or by calling 800-424-3426.

Geico will tow your vehicle to the nearest repair facility within 20 miles of where the breakdown occurred.

The company works with various providers across the nation to supply high-quality roadside services to policyholders in all states. However, availability, prices, and services may vary based on regional laws.

Does Geico cover towing if you don’t have roadside assistance?

If you don’t have emergency roadside services from Geico, adding collision and comprehensive insurance may also reimburse you for a tow in specific scenarios depending on your deductible limits.

Collision car insurance pays for damage to your vehicle while in motion, regardless of fault. So if you hit another car or a telephone pole and require a tow, you can file a collision claim. (For more information, read our “If I hit a pole, will insurance cover it?“).

Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle from acts of nature and damage while your car is parked. So if a tree falls on your car and you require a tow, you file a comprehensive claim.

These claims are usually paid out to you through reimbursement checks. Both insurances also have deductibles associated with them.

Car insurance deductibles are amounts you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance company steps in.

The average deductible is $500, but drivers can usually choose from $100, $250, $1,000, and $2,000 limits.

Most body shops add the towing bill to the overall repair costs for your car rather than charge you upfront. So if you pay for the tow in this way, it counts towards your deductible. However, the deductible price is usually higher than the actual cost of a tow.

How much does it cost to tow a car? According to J.D. Power, the national average is about $109 in total or $2.50 to $7.00 per mile.

Assuming the bill for towing your car is close to the average cost, your deductible would need to be set at $100 for your insurance company to cover the $9 that remains.

Your insurance company then pays for the rest of the vehicle repairs, up to your policy limits.

How do I get Geico towing insurance?

To purchase Geico roadside services or add collision and comprehensive coverages to your policy, download the mobile app, visit the website, or call 800-424-3426.

You can also text the phrase ROADSIDE to 43426 to receive emergency roadside assistance quotes.

Some common rules and exclusions apply to roadside assistance plans. For example, most insurance companies require consumers to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance to qualify for roadside assistance packages. This is the case with Geico roadside assistance.

Unlike some other insurance types, roadside assistance packages follow the vehicle, not the policyholder.

So if you’re driving someone else’s car and it breaks down, your Geico roadside assistance will not pay for the cost of the tow.

Collision and comprehensive coverage also follow the car and not the named insured.

You must purchase the coverage before the breakdown or incident occurs to receive the Geico roadside assistance services or be covered by a comprehensive or collision claim.

How much does Geico’s roadside assistance cost?

According to the company website, Geico roadside assistance rates start at $14 per year or $1.16 per month. This is average for the industry.

However, the cost of your roadside services depends on your ZIP code plus the age, make, and model of your vehicle.

You also need to invest in comprehensive and collision coverage to purchase the emergency roadside services from Geico, which will increase the cost of your car insurance policy.

While there’s no standard definition for full coverage car insurance, it typically refers to your state’s legal minimum requirements plus additional comprehensive and collision coverage. Find your state in the table below to view the average annual cost of full coverage car insurance from Geico.

Geico Average Annual Full Coverage Car Insurance Rates by State

Remember to consider the additional cost of these insurance types when determining how Geico roadside assistance services may impact your overall car insurance rates.

What does Geico roadside assistance cover?

Roadside assistance with Geico covers more than just the cost of a tow.

You also gain several other benefits if you invest in this optional policy add-on.

Geico roadside services include battery jump-starts, tire changes if you have a functioning spare, lockout services up to $100, winching if your vehicle is stuck, and fuel delivery assistance.

Depending on regional laws, you may be limited to a certain number of service requests per policy term. Speak with your local Geico agent to determine how local regulations impact your policy.

How do I request a tow from Geico?

Requesting emergency roadside help with Geico is as simple as using the mobile app.

Simply select ‘Get Roadside Help’ directly on the app’s homepage.

Services through the app are available any time of day, year-round. Requests take about two minutes to complete. A GPS locator in your phone helps the service crews find you, streamlining the process.

The app also features a service tracker so you can see when help is on the way.

Drivers have the option to call 800-424-3426 or go through the company website to contact towing crews. According to Geico, the mobile app is the best way to request help.

It takes 60 minutes on average for the roadside or towing services to arrive at the scene of your breakdown.

If you end up paying for your tow out of pocket but have roadside assistance with Geico, you can submit a claim for reimbursement.

Send the original copy of the bill along with your policy number to the following address:

Geico
Emergency Road Service
P.O. Box 8075
Macon, GA 31208-8075

Drivers can also email the forms to [email protected] or fax the info to 866-954-3761. For follow-up questions regarding reimbursement, call 800-522-7775.

Geico Towing Insurance: The Bottom Line

Geico car insurance policies cover towing if you purchase emergency roadside assistance, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

The roadside assistance plan is very affordable and costs less than $2 per month on average. However, you must also consider the additional cost of adding comprehensive and collision insurance to your policy. Full coverage car insurance always costs more than basic policies because you’re investing in more protection.

Many car insurance companies offer towing coverage through roadside assistance packages, like Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, and USAA.

Compare the benefits, costs, and other features available from other top car insurance companies to find the best possible coverage for you.