Ontario car insurance covers towing only in specific situations, not automatically for every driver. Your exact policy type decides whether you pay nothing or the entire bill yourself.
Three coverage types pay for towing in Ontario: collision coverage, all-perils coverage, and the Ontario Policy Change Form 35 (OPCF 35) roadside assistance endorsement. Basic third-party liability insurance never covers towing costs on its own. This guide breaks down each coverage type, lists the exact dollar limits insurers apply, and gives you 5 steps to confirm your own policy before you ever need a tow truck.
GTA Towing & Scrap Cars handles insurance-billed towing calls daily across Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, and the wider Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We work directly with major Ontario carriers, so you know your exact coverage before your vehicle leaves the scene.
Does Car Insurance Cover Towing in Ontario?
Yes, car insurance covers towing in Ontario when your policy includes collision coverage, all-perils coverage, or the OPCF 35 endorsement. No, basic mandatory insurance alone never covers towing under any circumstance.
Ontario requires 3 mandatory coverages: third-party liability, accident benefits, and uninsured automobile coverage. None of these 3 mandatory coverages pay for a tow truck. You need optional coverage added to your policy before any towing cost gets reimbursed.
The reason for your tow matters as much as the coverage you carry. A tow after a collision falls under property damage rules. A tow after a mechanical breakdown, flat tire, or dead battery falls under roadside assistance rules instead.
What Types of Ontario Auto Insurance Include Towing Coverage?
Ontario auto policies use 3 separate coverage types to pay for towing, and each type applies to different situations. Collision coverage, all-perils coverage, and the OPCF 35 endorsement work independently of one another.
Collision Coverage and Towing After a Crash
Collision coverage pays for towing your vehicle after a crash with another vehicle or a fixed object. Insurers pay this towing cost regardless of who caused the accident. Collision coverage remains optional in Ontario, but lenders require it on every financed or leased vehicle.
Collision coverage excludes mechanical breakdowns, flat tires, and dead batteries entirely. Collision coverage only activates once a collision-related tow occurs. Our accident vehicle towing service moves damaged vehicles directly to a collision reporting centre (CRC) or your chosen repair shop under this coverage.
All-Perils Coverage and Towing for Insured Perils
All-perils coverage combines collision protection and comprehensive protection into a single policy. All-perils coverage pays for towing after collisions, theft, fire, vandalism, and weather events such as hailstorms or floods. Comprehensive-only policies cover the same non-collision perils without the collision portion attached.
OPCF 35 Roadside Assistance Endorsement
OPCF 35 stands for Ontario Policy Change Form 35, the standard roadside assistance add-on sold by Ontario insurers. This endorsement reimburses towing, battery boosts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockout service. OPCF 35 applies even when no collision caused the breakdown.
OPCF 35 typically caps reimbursement between $50 and $75 per incident. The endorsement itself costs $20 to $60 per year, added directly onto your existing policy premium.
Does Basic Ontario Insurance Cover Towing?
No, basic Ontario auto insurance never covers towing under any scenario. The 3 mandatory coverages, third-party liability, accident benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), and uninsured automobile coverage, all exclude towing costs.
Third-party liability pays for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property only. Third-party liability never pays your own towing bill under any circumstance. You must add collision coverage, all-perils coverage, or OPCF 35 to receive any towing reimbursement in Ontario.
How Does DCPD Affect Your Towing Claim After an Accident?
Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage pays for damage to your vehicle when another driver causes the crash. Ontario runs a no-fault system, so you file your claim through your own insurer, not the other driver’s. DCPD often includes towing as part of the overall property damage settlement.
What the OPCF 49 Endorsement Changed in 2024
As of January 1, 2024, DCPD became optional in Ontario through the Ontario Policy Change Form 49 (OPCF 49) endorsement. Drivers who sign OPCF 49 remove DCPD from their policy in exchange for a lower premium. Removing DCPD also removes your towing reimbursement in not-at-fault collisions.
Check your policy declarations page for OPCF 49 before you assume DCPD protects you automatically. Towing companies that handle insurance vehicles, like our insurance vehicle towing service, work directly with adjusters to confirm which endorsements apply to your specific claim.
Which Ontario Insurers Offer OPCF 35 Roadside Coverage?
Most major Ontario insurers sell the OPCF 35 endorsement as an optional add-on. Carriers such as Intact, Aviva, Desjardins, TD Insurance, Sonnet, and Economical all offer some version of roadside towing coverage. Each insurer sets its own reimbursement cap, distance limit, and annual premium for the endorsement.
Compare 3 specific details before you choose an insurer or add the endorsement: the dollar reimbursement cap, the number of incidents allowed per year, and whether towing distance is limited. Ask your broker for these 3 details in writing, not verbally, so you have proof if a dispute arises later.
How Much Does OPCF 35 Reimburse for a Tow?
OPCF 35 reimburses a maximum of $50 to $75 per incident under most Ontario policies. A standard GTA tow costs $150 to $300, so the endorsement rarely covers the full bill. You pay the remaining difference out of pocket unless you carry supplemental coverage.
Some insurers sell enhanced roadside packages with higher limits, reaching $150 to $200 per incident. Ask your broker whether an upgraded tier exists at your next renewal. The upgrade typically adds $10 to $20 per year onto your current premium.
How to Check If Your Ontario Policy Covers Towing
To check your Ontario policy for towing coverage, pull out your insurance pink card and review your listed coverage types. Log in to your insurer’s online portal and search for “endorsements” or “optional coverages” next.
Documents to Review Before You Need a Tow
Review 3 specific documents before you ever need a tow: your policy declarations page, your pink card, and your most recent renewal letter. Your declarations page lists every endorsement attached to your policy, including OPCF 35 and OPCF 49. Your renewal letter confirms your current premium and any recent coverage changes.
Call your broker directly whenever any document reads unclear to you. Ask 3 specific questions during that call: “Do I have collision or all-perils coverage? Do I have OPCF 35? What is my reimbursement limit?” Our towing FAQs page answers common questions about coverage, billing, and dispatch times across the GTA.
What to Do When You Need a Tow and Your Insurance Covers It
Move your vehicle to safety and turn on your hazard lights immediately. Call your insurer’s claims line and report the situation before you call any tow truck.
Steps to Protect Your Reimbursement
Follow 5 steps to protect your towing reimbursement in Ontario:
- Confirm your coverage with your insurer directly over the phone.
- Request or confirm a claim number for your file.
- Choose your own tow operator if you prefer one over the insurer’s suggested provider.
- Sign the Consent to Tow form and confirm your destination in writing.
- Keep an itemized receipt and submit your claim within 30 days.
Take photos of your vehicle and the tow truck before the vehicle leaves the scene. These photos support your claim whenever your insurer disputes a charge later.
Does CAA Membership Replace Insurance Towing Coverage?
No, CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) membership does not replace insurance towing coverage; CAA membership supplements that coverage instead. CAA operates as a paid membership service, not an insurance product, and CAA covers the member rather than the vehicle itself.
CAA Classic covers towing up to 10 km (6.2 miles) per call, with 4 service calls allowed per membership year. CAA Plus extends towing distance to 200 km (124 miles) per call. CAA Premier extends coverage further to 500 km (311 miles) per call. Membership costs range from $90 to $170 per year depending on the tier you select.
Many Ontario drivers carry both CAA and OPCF 35 for layered protection. CAA offers longer towing distances for road trips, while OPCF 35 covers every single vehicle listed on your auto policy.
What Happens If Your Insurance Does Not Cover the Tow?
You pay the full towing cost out of pocket whenever your insurance does not cover the tow. Standard tows across the GTA range from $150 to $300, while long-distance or heavy-duty tows cost $400 to $1,200 or more.
| Scenario | Coverage That Pays | Reimbursement Timing | Claim Difficulty |
| Tow after an at-fault collision | Collision coverage | 5 – 10 business days | Easy |
| Tow after a not-at-fault collision | DCPD (if not removed) | 5 – 10 business days | Easy |
| Tow after theft or fire | All-perils / comprehensive | 10 – 15 business days | Moderate |
| Tow after a mechanical breakdown | OPCF 35 | 2 – 4 weeks | Moderate |
| Tow after a flat tire or dead battery | OPCF 35 | 2 – 4 weeks | Moderate |
| Tow after an impound or parking violation | None | Not applicable | Difficult |
4 options reduce your out-of-pocket cost when coverage falls short:
- Add OPCF 35 at your next renewal for $20 to $60 per year.
- Join CAA for $90 to $170 per year, depending on the tier.
- Check your credit card benefits, since some Visa and Mastercard products include free roadside assistance.
- Ask your vehicle manufacturer about complimentary roadside programs, which often run 3 to 5 years from your purchase date.
Common Mistakes That Cancel Your Towing Reimbursement
Ontario drivers lose their towing reimbursement most often through 3 avoidable mistakes: signing forms from an unsolicited tow truck, missing the claim submission deadline, and skipping photo documentation. Each mistake costs drivers hundreds of dollars.
Signing the Wrong Tow Company’s Forms
Unsolicited tow trucks sometimes arrive at accident scenes uninvited across the GTA. You are never obligated to use a tow truck you did not call yourself. Signing that operator’s forms can complicate your reimbursement and delay your vehicle’s release from storage.
Missing the 30-Day Claim Window
Most Ontario insurers require towing reimbursement claims within 30 days of the incident date. Waiting longer risks an automatic denial regardless of your actual coverage. Submit your itemized receipt and claim number the same week you receive them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towing Insurance in Ontario
Does insurance cover towing after an accident in Ontario?
Yes, if you carry collision coverage, all-perils coverage, or active DCPD without the OPCF 49 endorsement removed. These coverages typically pay for towing to a repair shop or collision reporting centre.
Does basic Ontario car insurance cover towing?
No, basic mandatory coverage, third-party liability, accident benefits, and uninsured automobile coverage, excludes towing under every circumstance.
How much does OPCF 35 reimburse for a tow in Ontario?
OPCF 35 typically reimburses $50 to $75 per incident, well below the $150 to $300 average cost of a standard GTA tow.
Will a towing claim raise my insurance premium?
No, OPCF 35 roadside claims generally do not raise your premium. An at-fault collision claim can raise your rate, but the increase comes from the collision itself, not the tow.
Can I choose my own tow truck company in Ontario?
Yes, Ontario’s provincial towing regulations, in effect since January 2024, give you the legal right to pick your own tow operator and destination.
Confirm Your Ontario Towing Coverage Before You Need It
Ontario car insurance covers towing only when you carry the right coverage: collision, all-perils, or OPCF 35. Confirm your exact policy today instead of finding out at the roadside during an emergency. GTA Towing & Scrap Cars bills most major Ontario insurers directly and quotes upfront pricing before every dispatch. Request a free quote and our team confirms your coverage before your vehicle ever leaves the scene.