Towing After a Car Accident in Ontario: Who Pays and How It Works
📋 Quick Answer
In Ontario, your own auto insurance pays for accident towing — regardless of who was at fault. Ontario uses a “direct compensation” system, meaning each driver’s insurance handles their own vehicle’s tow and repair costs. Towing is typically covered under your collision coverage or an optional roadside assistance add-on. If you don’t have either, you pay out of pocket — but can pursue reimbursement through the claims process. Accident towing in Hamilton costs $100–$250 depending on distance and truck type. You have the legal right to choose your own tow company and destination under the TSSEA.
You’ve been in a car accident. Maybe it’s a fender bender on King Street, or a multi-vehicle collision on the QEW. Either way, your car can’t be driven, and accident towing is needed. In that moment, one question cuts through the chaos: who pays for this?
The answer is more complicated than most Ontario drivers expect. It involves your insurance policy, Ontario’s unique fault determination system, the type of coverage you carry, and — if you’re not careful — surprise storage fees that can add hundreds to your total bill. The towing itself might cost $150, but the storage, claims delays, and missteps that follow can cost ten times that.
This guide explains exactly who pays for accident towing in Ontario, how the insurance process works step by step, what your coverage options are, how to avoid the most expensive mistakes, and what to do at the scene to protect yourself financially. If you need an accident tow truck in Hamilton right now, call (905) 481-0133.
Who Pays for Towing After a Car Accident in Ontario?
Ontario’s auto insurance system is different from most other jurisdictions, and this difference directly affects who pays for accident towing:
Your own insurance pays — regardless of fault. Ontario operates under a “direct compensation — property damage” (DCPD) system. This means that after an accident, each driver deals with their own insurance company for property damage and towing costs. Even if the other driver was 100% at fault, you still file the towing claim with your insurer.
Behind the scenes, insurers settle with each other. Your insurer pays your claim, then recovers the cost from the at-fault driver’s insurer through an inter-company process. You don’t need to pursue the other driver or their insurance company directly for towing costs — that’s your insurer’s job.
The specific coverage that pays for towing depends on your policy. Different parts of your insurance cover towing in different ways — and some policies don’t cover it at all. Understanding which coverage applies to your situation is essential to avoid paying out of pocket unnecessarily.
💡 Key Takeaway: In Ontario, “who was at fault” determines how much your premium increases — not who pays the tow bill. Your insurer handles your towing costs regardless of fault. This is fundamentally different from the US system where you might sue the at-fault driver directly for expenses.
The Three Types of Insurance Coverage That Pay for Accident Towing
Not all Ontario auto insurance policies cover towing the same way. Here are the three coverage types that can pay for your accident tow truck — and how they differ:
For a broader overview of all towing-related coverage options in Ontario, see our detailed guide on whether insurance covers towing in Ontario.
What If You Don’t Have Collision Coverage or Roadside Assistance?
If you carry only the minimum mandatory insurance in Ontario (liability + DCPD) and you’re at fault for the accident, you have no collision coverage to pay for towing or vehicle repair. Here’s what happens:
You pay the tow out of pocket. With no collision coverage and 100% fault, neither DCPD nor collision will cover your towing costs. You’ll pay the tow company directly at the scene or when you retrieve your vehicle.
CAA membership may still cover the tow. If you’re a CAA member, your membership covers towing regardless of the cause — including accidents. CAA Basic covers 10 km; Plus and Premier cover 200 km. This is separate from auto insurance.
Manufacturer roadside may help. If your vehicle is still under warranty, the manufacturer’s complimentary roadside program may cover accident towing — check your owner’s manual or call the dealership.
Credit card benefits are a last resort. Some premium credit cards include roadside assistance with limited towing coverage. Check your cardholder benefits guide.
⚠️ Important: Even without insurance coverage, the tow still costs $100–$250. What gets dramatically more expensive is not calling a tow and having police dispatch one — or having your car stored at a third-party yard where daily storage fees ($40–$75/day) accumulate while you figure out insurance. Getting the tow yourself and choosing the destination is always cheaper than losing control of the process.
How Much Does Accident Towing Cost in Hamilton?
Accident towing can cost slightly more than a standard breakdown tow because the situation is more complex — damaged vehicles often need flatbed towing, the scene may require cleanup, and loading a damaged vehicle takes more time. Here’s what to expect in the Hamilton area:
Prices reflect the Hamilton, Burlington, Waterdown, and Grimsby area. Use the cost estimator for a personalized quote. For a full breakdown of how towing pricing works, see our guide on towing cost per km in Ontario.
Step by Step: What Happens After an Accident (The Towing Process)
Here’s the typical sequence of events from collision to claim — knowing this process in advance helps you make better decisions under pressure:
1. Ensure safety and call 911 if needed. Check for injuries. Move to a safe position. Call 911 for emergencies or if the combined damage appears to exceed $2,000 (Ontario’s reporting threshold). For a complete accident checklist, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Hamilton.
2. Document everything before the vehicle is moved. Photos of all vehicles, damage, licence plates, the scene, road conditions, and any debris. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Get the other driver’s insurance information, name, and contact details.
3. Call YOUR towing company — don’t wait for one to appear. Under Ontario’s TSSEA, you have the right to choose your own tow operator. Call a company you trust, like Towing Hamilton’s accident towing service at (905) 481-0133. Uninvited tow trucks that show up at accident scenes are a known problem — they may charge inflated rates or tow your vehicle to a storage yard with high daily fees.
4. Choose the tow destination carefully. This is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Your options: your own mechanic or body shop, your insurer’s preferred body shop, your home driveway, or a storage facility. The ideal choice is a location where repairs can begin immediately — this stops daily storage fees from accumulating.
5. Keep the tow receipt. Get an itemized invoice from the tow company. This is your proof of expense for the insurance claim. Under the TSSEA, the operator must provide an itemized invoice — if they don’t, that’s a violation.
6. File the insurance claim promptly. Call your insurer as soon as possible — ideally while still at the scene or immediately after. Report the accident, mention that the vehicle has been towed, provide the tow destination, and begin the claims process. Fast filing = faster adjuster assignment = less storage time.
7. Follow up within 48 hours. Confirm your claim is active, that an adjuster has been assigned, and that the adjuster knows where the vehicle is stored. Delays in this step are the single biggest driver of unnecessary storage costs. For tips on managing the adjuster process, see our guide on working with insurance adjusters after your car is towed.
Been in an Accident? We’ll Handle the Tow.
TSSEA-certified • Flatbed fleet • Your choice of destination • Itemized invoicing for insurance.
(905) 481-0133
The Hidden Cost: Storage Fees After an Accident Tow
The towing bill is rarely the expensive part. The real financial danger after an accident is daily vehicle storage fees that accumulate while you wait for the insurance adjuster, the body shop estimate, or the fault determination:
Storage starts immediately. The clock begins when your vehicle arrives at the storage facility — not when the claim is filed, not when the adjuster visits. At $50/day, one week of storage adds $350 to your total bill.
Insurance timelines are slower than you’d expect. An adjuster may take 3–7 business days to inspect the vehicle. If it’s a busy period (winter, after a major storm), delays can stretch to 2–3 weeks. At $50/day, a 14-day delay costs $700 in storage alone.
Some insurers limit storage coverage. Your policy may only reimburse “reasonable” storage costs — if you leave your vehicle at an expensive facility without moving it to a cheaper option, the insurer may refuse to pay the difference.
How to Minimize Storage Costs
✅ Tow directly to the body shop — not a storage yard. If the shop accepts vehicles after hours, have the vehicle dropped there. Repairs can begin sooner and many shops waive or reduce storage fees while the vehicle is in their care.
✅ File the claim immediately — call your insurer the same day, provide the vehicle location, and request adjuster assignment right away.
✅ Follow up aggressively. Call the adjuster every 2 days until the inspection is complete. Politely but firmly push for a quick decision on repair vs. total loss.
✅ Know your TSSEA rights. Under the TSSEA, storage operators must publish their maximum rates, cannot exceed those rates, and must provide reasonable access to your vehicle during business hours. You can also retrieve personal belongings at no charge.
How Ontario’s Fault Determination Rules Affect Your Towing Costs
Ontario uses standardized Fault Determination Rules (Ontario Regulation 668) to assign fault percentages after an accident. These rules are applied by your insurance company — not by police at the scene. Here’s how fault affects what you pay:
0% at fault (the other driver caused it): Your DCPD coverage pays for everything — towing, storage, vehicle repair. Your deductible is typically waived. No impact on your premiums.
50/50 fault (shared responsibility): Your DCPD covers the other driver’s share (50%), and your collision coverage covers your share (50%). Your deductible may be partially applied. Some premium impact is possible.
100% at fault (you caused it): DCPD does not apply. You need collision coverage to pay for towing and repairs. Your full deductible applies. Your premiums will increase at renewal.
The bottom line: Regardless of fault, you pay the tow company first (out of pocket or via roadside assistance) and get reimbursed through the claims process. According to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), all auto insurers must follow the same fault determination rules, ensuring consistent treatment across companies. The fault percentage doesn’t change how much the tow costs — it changes who ultimately pays and whether your deductible applies.
Your Rights at the Accident Scene: Choosing Your Own Tow Company
One of the most important and least-known rights Ontario drivers have is the right to choose their own towing company after an accident. Under the TSSEA:
You choose the tow company. No one — not police, not the other driver, not an uninvited tow truck operator — can dictate which company tows your vehicle. The only exception is when police must clear the road immediately for safety, in which case they may direct a specific operator to move the vehicle off the road.
You choose the destination. Your mechanic, your insurer’s preferred body shop, your home — you decide where the vehicle goes. Tow operators who steer your vehicle to their affiliated shops may be engaged in prohibited referral practices under the TSSEA.
Uninvited tow trucks are a red flag. If a tow truck shows up at the accident scene that nobody called, you’re under no obligation to use them. In fact, the TSSEA prohibits soliciting business at accident scenes. These “chasers” often charge higher rates and tow vehicles to storage yards where fees accumulate quickly.
Written consent is required. Before any tow, the operator must present a Consent to Tow form with the price, destination, and scope of service. Read it before signing — never sign a blank form.
These rights are exactly why it’s important to have a trusted tow company’s number saved in your phone before an accident happens. For a full rundown, read our guides on your towing rights under the TSSEA and how to choose a towing company you can trust.
Collision Reporting Centres: When You Must File a Police Report
In Ontario, you must report the accident to a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC) within 24 hours if the combined vehicle damage appears to exceed $2,000, anyone is injured, there’s damage to municipal or highway property, or you suspect the other driver is impaired or uninsured.
Hamilton’s CRC location: The Hamilton Police Collision Reporting Centre handles collision reports for the Hamilton area. You drive the vehicle there (or have it towed there if it’s not driveable) to file the report.
How this affects towing: If the vehicle isn’t driveable, you may need to tow it to the CRC for the report, then tow it again to the body shop or storage facility. This means potentially paying for two tows. Some drivers avoid this by filing the police report first and then having the tow truck take the vehicle directly to the body shop from the CRC.
Coordinate with your tow operator. When you call Towing Hamilton, mention that you need to visit the CRC. We can plan the route to minimize total towing distance and cost — for example, towing to the CRC first, waiting while you file the report, then continuing to the body shop as a single trip.
Why You Should Always Use a Flatbed After an Accident
After a collision, the safe assumption is that your vehicle has hidden damage — even if the visible damage looks minor. This is why flatbed towing is strongly recommended for all accident-damaged vehicles:
Hidden suspension damage. A collision can bend control arms, tie rods, and struts without any visible sign. Rolling on damaged suspension components can worsen the alignment damage or cause a wheel to collapse.
Wheel bearing and hub damage. Impact forces transfer through the wheels to the bearings. A damaged bearing may hold together while stationary but fail catastrophically when the wheel is rolling under tow.
Drivetrain concerns. AWD and 4WD vehicles must always be flatbedded — and after an accident, even FWD and RWD vehicles should be treated with the same caution because drivetrain damage may be hidden. See our detailed guide on how drivetrains affect towing.
Insurance documentation. A flatbed tow preserves the vehicle exactly as it was after the accident. If the vehicle sustains additional damage during a wheel-lift tow, it complicates the insurance claim — the insurer may argue that some damage was caused by the tow, not the accident.
The cost difference between a flatbed and wheel-lift accident tow is only $25–$50 in Hamilton. For the protection it provides — both to your vehicle and your insurance claim — it’s an easy decision. For a full comparison, see flatbed vs. wheel-lift towing.
The 5 Most Expensive Mistakes Drivers Make After an Accident Tow
These are the errors that turn a $200 tow into a $2,000+ financial headache:
🚩 Letting an uninvited tow truck take your vehicle. Chasers often charge inflated rates ($300–$500+) and tow to their affiliated storage yards where fees run $75–$100/day. This can cost $1,000+ within two weeks.
🚩 Towing to a storage yard instead of a body shop. Every day in storage is money lost. If the body shop accepts vehicles 24/7, have the car taken directly there. Storage at a body shop is often free or significantly discounted while awaiting repairs.
🚩 Delaying the insurance claim. Every day between the accident and the claim filing is a day of storage fees with no progress. File the claim the same day — before you leave the scene if possible.
🚩 Not following up with the adjuster. Adjusters handle dozens of claims simultaneously. If you don’t follow up, your file sits at the bottom of the pile while storage fees accumulate. Call every 2 days.
🚩 Not keeping the tow receipt. Without an itemized receipt, the insurer may refuse to reimburse the towing cost. Always get a proper invoice with the company name, TSSEA certificate number, date, service description, and total cost.
What to Do Right Now to Prepare for an Accident Tow
The worst time to figure out who pays for towing is while standing beside a wrecked car. Prepare now and the entire process becomes dramatically easier:
Know your insurance coverage. Call your insurer today and ask: “Do I have collision coverage? Do I have a roadside assistance add-on? What’s my collision deductible? What’s covered for towing after an accident?” Write down the answers and keep them with your insurance pink slip.
Save a towing company’s number. Store (905) 481-0133 (Towing Hamilton) in your phone contacts under “Tow Truck.” If you’re ever in an accident, you tap one contact instead of frantically Googling from the scene.
Identify a body shop in advance. Ask friends, family, or your mechanic for a trusted body shop recommendation. Having a destination ready when you call the tow company saves time and avoids the storage-yard trap.
Keep a copy of this checklist in your glove box: Insurer phone number, policy number, towing company number, body shop name and address, and the Collision Reporting Centre address.
For a full overview of all roadside assistance options in Ontario, including how each one handles accident towing differently, review our comprehensive guide.
Accident Towing FAQ
Who pays for towing after a car accident in Ontario?
Your own auto insurance pays for towing — regardless of who caused the accident. Ontario’s direct compensation system means each driver deals with their own insurer. Towing is covered under collision coverage (as part of the overall claim), DCPD (if the other driver is at fault), or a roadside assistance add-on. If you have none of these, you pay out of pocket — typically $100–$250 in Hamilton.
Can I choose my own tow truck after an accident?
Yes. Under Ontario’s TSSEA, you have the legal right to choose which tow company moves your vehicle and where it goes. No one — not police, not the other driver, and not an uninvited tow operator — can force you to use a specific company. The only exception is when police must clear the road immediately for safety, in which case they may direct a tow to move the vehicle off the road.
Does filing a towing claim after an accident affect my insurance rates?
The towing claim itself doesn’t affect your rates — the accident claim does. Since towing is typically included as part of the overall collision or DCPD claim, it doesn’t generate a separate claim on your record. However, the accident itself may increase your premiums depending on fault. If you were not at fault (0%), there should be no premium impact. If you were at fault, your premiums will likely increase at renewal regardless of whether towing was included in the claim.
Should I use a flatbed or wheel-lift tow after an accident?
Always request a flatbed after an accident. Collision-damaged vehicles may have hidden suspension, wheel bearing, or drivetrain damage that makes wheel-lift towing unsafe. A flatbed keeps all four wheels off the ground and preserves the vehicle exactly as it was after the accident — which is important for insurance documentation. The cost difference is only $25–$50, and it protects both your vehicle and your insurance claim.
How do I avoid high storage fees after an accident tow?
Tow directly to a body shop instead of a storage yard — many shops reduce or waive storage while the vehicle is in their care. File your insurance claim the same day as the accident. Follow up with the adjuster every 2 days to ensure timely inspection. If your vehicle must go to storage, confirm the daily rate before the tow, and move the vehicle to a less expensive facility if rates are excessive. Under the TSSEA, storage rates must be published and cannot exceed the operator’s filed maximum.
What if a tow truck shows up at the accident without being called?
Do not use them. Under the TSSEA, soliciting towing services at accident scenes is a prohibited practice. These uninvited “chaser” operators often charge inflated rates and tow to affiliated storage yards with high daily fees. You are under no obligation to accept their service. Stay in your vehicle, do not sign anything, and call your preferred towing company. If the uninvited operator is aggressive, call police.
Do I need to go to a Collision Reporting Centre?
In Ontario, you must report to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours if the combined damage exceeds $2,000, anyone is injured, there’s damage to public property, or you suspect the other driver is impaired or uninsured. For minor accidents below $2,000 with no injuries, reporting is optional but recommended for insurance purposes. If your vehicle isn’t driveable, coordinate with your tow company to include the CRC in the tow route.
What if my car is totalled — do I still pay for the tow?
If your vehicle is declared a total loss, the towing cost is included in the overall insurance settlement. The insurer pays the towing and storage charges as part of the claim. However, if the vehicle sits in storage for weeks while the total loss determination is made, those storage fees can reduce the net amount you receive. This is another reason to push for a quick adjuster inspection and a fast claims decision.
Can I get reimbursed for towing if I pay out of pocket?
Yes. If you pay the tow company directly at the scene, keep the itemized receipt and submit it to your insurer as part of your collision or DCPD claim. Most insurers reimburse reasonable towing expenses within the claim. Some policies also allow direct billing — where the tow company bills the insurer directly. Ask your insurer about their preferred process when you file the claim.
How much does accident towing cost in Hamilton?
A local accident tow in Hamilton typically costs $100–$250 depending on distance and truck type. Flatbed towing (recommended after all collisions) runs $125–$250. After-hours calls are at the higher end. Daily storage fees at a facility are $40–$75/day on top of the tow. Get an instant personalized estimate at the Towing Hamilton cost estimator.
Accident Towing Done Right — No Surprises.
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Hamilton, Burlington, Waterdown & Grimsby — 24/7.
(905) 481-0133
