Is Towing Service Included in Car Insurance in UAE? What Every Driver Needs to Know

Owning a car in the UAE comes with its own challenges, from long-distance driving and extreme summer temperatures to the occasional unexpected breakdown. One question many drivers ask is: “Is towing service included in car insurance in the UAE?”

The answer is not always straightforward. Whether towing is included depends on your insurer, the type of policy you have, and any additional benefits or add-ons you have selected.

In this guide, we’ll explain what towing service covers, when it is typically included in a car insurance policy, common limitations to be aware of, and how to check that you have the right protection in place before you find yourself needing roadside assistance.

What Is Towing Service in Car Insurance?

Towing service refers to the transportation of your vehicle to a repair garage, workshop, or another safe location when it can no longer be driven due to an accident, breakdown, mechanical issue, or another covered incident.

In most cases, towing is not offered as a standalone insurance benefit. Instead, it is typically included as part of a roadside assistance package, either as a standard feature or an optional add-on within your car insurance policy.

Having access to towing assistance can help you avoid the inconvenience and expense of arranging vehicle recovery on your own when an unexpected incident leaves your car stranded.

Does UAE Car Insurance Include Towing Service?

Whether towing is included in your car insurance policy depends largely on the type of cover you have chosen.

Third-Party Car Insurance – Third-Party Liability (TPL) car insurance is the minimum level of cover required by law in the UAE. While it protects against damage or injury caused to others, it does not usually include towing services as a standard benefit.

In most cases, towing is only available if you have purchased an additional roadside assistance package that specifically includes vehicle recovery.

Comprehensive Car Insurance – Comprehensive car insurance generally provides broader protection and often includes roadside assistance benefits, which may cover towing when your vehicle cannot be driven.

However, not all comprehensive policies offer the same level of support:

• Some include towing and roadside assistance as standard features.
• Others offer these services as optional add-ons that must be selected when purchasing the policy.

For this reason, it is important to review your policy schedule and wording carefully. Never assume that towing is automatically included simply because you have comprehensive insurance. Checking your benefits in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs if you ever need vehicle recovery assistance.

When Is Towing Service Triggered?

Towing assistance is typically available when your vehicle becomes undrivable and cannot be safely driven to a repair facility. Common situations where towing may be provided include:

• After an accident, whether minor or major, if the vehicle cannot continue its journey safely.
• Mechanical failures, such as engine problems, battery issues, or other faults that leave the vehicle immobilised.
• Covered breakdowns where roadside repairs are not possible and the vehicle needs to be transported to a garage for further inspection and repairs.

Typically, the sequence is:

1. Your car breaks down or is damaged.
2. You call the insurer’s roadside/towing number.
3. They attempt a simple fix where possible (e.g., jump‑start or tyre change).
4. If the car cannot be made roadworthy, it is towed to a nearby or approved repair facility within the allowed distance.

In these situations, the roadside assistance provider will usually arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the nearest or an approved repair workshop, depending on the terms of your policy.

Towing Service Limitations to Know About

While towing can be a valuable benefit, it is usually subject to specific terms, conditions, and limits set by the insurer. Understanding these requirements in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs or delays when you need assistance.

Common towing limitations include:

• Distance limits – Coverage may only apply up to a specified towing distance or within certain geographical areas.
• Usage limits – Some policies restrict the number of towing requests you can make during a policy year.
• Vehicle condition requirements – Towing is generally provided only when the vehicle is genuinely undrivable due to an accident, breakdown, or mechanical failure.
• Policy eligibility – The vehicle must be insured under a policy that includes towing or roadside assistance benefits.
• Covered incidents only – Certain situations, such as negligence, misuse, or unauthorised off-road driving, may not qualify for towing assistance.
• Approved service providers – Many insurers require you to use their authorised towing partners. Arranging your own towing service may result in additional charges or may not be reimbursed.
• Required process – To ensure the service is covered, you will usually need to contact the insurer or roadside assistance provider first and follow the claims or assistance procedure outlined in your policy.

Ensure you know exactly what support is available when you need it most.

What Does Towing Cost Without Insurance Coverage?

Hiring a tow truck yourself “can cost a lot, particularly over long distances”. Without towing in your car insurance UAE policy, you pay call‑out / hook‑up fee and Per‑kilometre distance charges especially on inter‑emirate routes

This is exactly why towing via insurance is highlighted as a cost‑saving benefit in the UAE.

Advantages of Including Towing Service in Your Car Insurance

Here are the key advantages of including towing service in your car insurance:

• Peace of mind – Knowing that help is just a phone call away can provide reassurance whenever you’re on the road.
• Greater convenience – You won’t need to search for, negotiate with, or arrange payment to a towing company during an emergency.
• Potential cost savings – Towing charges can be expensive, especially over longer distances. Having cover in place can help absorb these costs, subject to your policy limits and conditions.
• Access to trusted service providers – Insurers typically work with established towing and roadside assistance networks, helping ensure a more reliable and efficient response when you need help.
• Enhanced overall protection – Towing assistance complements your car insurance coverage, adding an extra layer of support alongside accident, breakdown, and vehicle damage protection.

For many drivers, towing assistance is a relatively small addition that can provide significant value when an unexpected breakdown occurs.

How to Add Towing Cover to Your Car Insurance

If you are unsure whether you have towing service in car insurance:

1. Review your policy documents – Look for sections titled “Roadside Assistance” or “Towing Service”.
2. Call your insurer or Alfred – Ask clearly if towing is included, and under what limits.
3. Ask about add‑ons – If not included, many insurers will let you add towing/roadside assistance to an existing policy for an extra premium. Some may apply a waiting period before you can use it.At renewal, compare plans that already include towing as part of a roadside bundle against those where you must add it separately.

How to Use Your Towing Cover in the UAE

If your policy includes towing:

1. Keep the assistance number handy – save it on your phone or in the car.
2. In an incident, make sure everyone is safe, then call the number.
3. Provide your name and policy or plate number and exact location along with a brief description of what happened.
4. Follow the operator’s instructions; they will dispatch a tow truck or first try simple roadside help.

If your car was in an accident, you may still need a police report and must follow normal claim procedures once the car is at the workshop.

FAQs

Conclusion

Towing assistance is not automatically included in every car insurance policy in the UAE, but when it is available, it can save you significant time, money, and hassle if your vehicle becomes undrivable.

A few key points to remember:

• Third-Party Liability (TPL) policies typically do not include towing as standard and often require roadside assistance to be added separately.
• Comprehensive car insurance is more likely to include towing services, but coverage varies by insurer and policy, so it is always important to review the details carefully.
• Policy limits matter – factors such as towing distance limits, the number of call-outs allowed, approved service providers, and eligibility conditions can be just as important as whether towing is included at all.

Before choosing a policy, take the time to understand exactly what roadside support is provided. Comparing coverage details, not just premiums, can help ensure you have the protection you need when an unexpected breakdown occurs.

InsuranceMarket.ae can help you compare car insurance plans across the UAE and find an economical option that includes the towing and roadside assistance benefits that best match your driving needs.