Does Car Insurance Cover Towing in Ontario? (And Do You Have to Use Their Shop?)

Does Ontario Car Insurance Cover Towing?

The short answer: it depends on your coverage type and the reason for the tow. Here's a complete breakdown — including what most people never ask their broker.

Accident Towing — Yes, Covered

If you're in an accident and have collision coverage, towing from the scene to a collision centre is covered. There's typically no deductible for the tow itself.

What most drivers don't realize: you get to choose who tows your car and where it goes. Your insurer may dispatch a tow company on your behalf if you call them first, but they cannot force you to use that company. Call your own tow company and direct them to your chosen shop.

Choosing Your Repair Shop — You Have Options

This is where it matters most. When insurance arranges everything, your car typically ends up at one of their "preferred" collision centres. These shops operate within insurance-negotiated pricing, which can mean:

You are not required to use a preferred shop. Under Ontario's insurance framework, you can direct your vehicle to any licensed collision repair facility. If you have a shop you trust — or one that works directly in your interest rather than the insurer's — that's your right to exercise.

At Pixel Towing, we own our bodyshop. When we handle an accident, your car goes to our facility, gets repaired with OEM parts, and comes back with a lifetime workmanship warranty.

Rental Car Coverage — And Why You Might Not Want Insurance to Arrange It

Most Ontario drivers with collision or comprehensive coverage also have rental car coverage (typically $40–75/day for 30 days). When you call insurance first, they connect you with their preferred rental vendor and begin a pre-authorization process that usually takes 24–48 hours.

Because we operate our own rental fleet, we can put you in a vehicle the same day you call us — and bill insurance for it afterward. No waiting. No pre-authorization delay.

Breakdown Towing — Not Automatically Covered

Standard Ontario car insurance doesn't cover breakdown towing. You need either:

How to Use Your Coverage Without Giving Up Control

1. Call your tow company first (647-673-9755) — secure your vehicle and get to the CRC

2. Then call insurance to open the claim — you already have the scene handled

3. Direct your car to your chosen shop — let insurance know which facility

4. Get a rental through your tow company if they have a fleet — skip the 48-hour wait

Your coverage doesn't change based on these choices. The claim outcome is the same. What changes is who controls the process and how fast you're back on the road.

For accident towing in Brampton where we handle the tow, repairs, and rental car in one call — 647-673-9755.