Introduction
Your car breaks down, and you arrange for a tow truck to take it to the garage. But what happens if your car gets damaged along the way? Will your car insurance cover the repair costs?
In the UAE, towing assistance and damage caused during towing are not necessarily covered under the same benefits. Whether you can make a claim depends on your insurance policy, the circumstances of the damage, and how the towing was arranged.
Let’s understand when car insurance may cover towing damage and what you should do if your vehicle is damaged during recovery.
Common Towing Situations in the UAE
Here are a few towing scenarios you can come across in the UAE
1. Roadside assistance towing
You call the insurer’s/partner’s roadside assistance UAE number after a breakdown or minor accident.
2. Accident recovery towing
Police instruct or approve towing from an accident scene to an approved garage.
3. Private tow arranged by you
You call a random tow company (not via the insurer) to move the car after a breakdown, accident, or for convenience.
4. Authority/impound towing
The vehicle is towed by or on behalf of authorities (e.g., traffic/municipality) for violations or abandonment.
In all of these, damage could happen while loading, in transit, or unloading.
Does Roadside Assistance Cover Damage During Towing?
Having towing assistance included in your car insurance policy does not necessarily mean damage caused during towing is covered.
Towing / roadside assistance benefit
A service that pays for moving your car from A to B (and sometimes on‑site help). It does not automatically mean any damage in the process is covered.
Damage cover
Your car insurance policy’s own‑damage or liability sections responding to physical loss or damage caused by an insured event.
For example, your policy may include free towing services but not cover damage caused by the tow truck operator’s negligence. This is why it’s important to check both your roadside assistance benefits and car insurance coverage before arranging a tow.
Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover Towing Damage?
Comprehensive policies may cover towing‑related damage in these broad situations:
Part of an insured accident event
After an accident, your car under comprehensive car insurance is towed to the workshop via the insurer’s authorised provider, and minor damage occurs while loading or unloading. In many cases, this can be treated as additional accidental damage under your comprehensive section subject to policy terms, excess, and proof of how/when the damage occurred
Tow arranged through your insurer/broker
If the tow is booked via your insurer’s official roadside assistance channel they have a contractual relationship with the recovery firm. They’re more likely to either handle the additional damage as part of the main claim, or recover from the towing provider behind the scenes.
Always report towing‑related damage immediately and make it clear it occurred during authorised recovery.
When Is Towing Damage Not Covered by Car Insurance?
Typical cases where damage may be declined or disputed:
1. Unofficial / self‑arranged towing
If you choose a tow company outside the insurer’s network without consent, and damage occurs the insurer can argue they’re not responsible for that provider’s negligence. You may have to pursue the towing company directly.
3. Mechanical damage from improper towing technique
If a 4×4 is towed with two wheels on the ground and suffers gearbox damage, many insurers label this improper handling or mechanical damage, which is often excluded.
3. Towing unrelated to any insured event
Moving a car for convenience e.g., from one home to another, or to a detailing centre, and it’s damaged in transit unless the policy explicitly covers such movements, the insurer can treat it as a separate non‑insured risk.
4. Authority/impound towing damage
If the car is towed by authorities due to violations or abandonment, the insurer may rely on exclusions related to government seizure or improper use.
In all cases, actual handling depends on policy wording, evidence and how clearly the event is tied to an insured peril.
What Should You Do If Your Car Is Damaged During Towing?
1. Document Immediately
Take clear photos and videos of the damage, the tow truck and its plates, also the loading/unloading process if possible
2. Get Statements / Details
Write down time, location, and event along with tow company name and driver’s details. If at a workshop, have them note that damage was noticed post‑towing.
3. Notify Your Insurer or Broker at Once
Explain that damage happened during towing, whether it was via their official roadside assistance or self‑arranged. Follow their instructions for police report (if needed), claim form and inspection
4. Cooperate in Investigation
The insurer may inspect the car contact the towing provider, decide whether to treat it as part of your existing claim, a new accidental‑damage claim, or a third‑party liability matter against the tow company
5. If Tow Was Self-Arranged
You may need to file a complaint directly with the tow company, use legal or consumer channels if they refuse responsibility.
Conclusion
Towing and roadside assistance UAE benefits make breakdowns easier to manage, but they don’t automatically guarantee that any towing‑related damage is covered under your auto coverage.
To protect yourself:
- Whenever possible, use your insurer’s authorised roadside assistance rather than random recovery services.
- Always read your policy’s roadside and own‑damage sections to understand what counts as covered accidental damage vs excluded mechanical or third‑party negligence.
- If your car is damaged in transit, document everything and contact your insurer or InsuranceMarket.ae immediately.
With the right expectations and by sticking to authorised channels, you’ll stand the best chance of having towing‑related issues handled fairly under your car insurance.
