Accident Insurance Billing

Pay nothing upfront

Little or nothing to pay at the scene when the tow is covered.

Direct billing

We invoice your insurer directly so you skip the paperwork.

All major insurers

We work with every major insurer in Alberta and Canada.

Pre-negotiated rates

Insurer rates keep the claim smooth and the cost fair.

Itemized invoice

Clear, itemized paperwork for your claim, every time.

24/7 dispatch

Around-the-clock dispatch after any collision.

Call and share your policy

You call us after your collision and share your insurance provider and policy number.

We dispatch to bill directly

We send a tow truck with the intent to bill your insurer directly.

We tow or recover

We tow or recover your vehicle under the terms covered by your policy (accident, collision, and so on).

We submit the invoice

We submit the invoice and required documentation to your insurance company.

Insurer settles

The insurer handles payment and settlement, so you avoid paying at the scene (unless your policy requires a deductible).

Collision coverage

Optional in Alberta, this pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, minus your deductible, whether or not you were at fault. The tow from the scene is normally handled as part of that collision claim.

Comprehensive coverage

This covers non-collision damage such as theft, fire, hail, vandalism, or hitting an animal. If your vehicle has to be recovered or towed after one of these events, it is usually covered under your comprehensive claim.

Roadside assistance

Many policies offer this as an optional add-on. It covers everyday help like a basic tow, a battery boost, a lockout, or a flat tire, usually up to a set distance or dollar amount. See what is included on our roadside assistance page, and remember a basic plan tow may not cover a full accident recovery.

Accident and collision recovery

Accident recovery and collision towing, including winching a vehicle out of a ditch or off the road.

Vehicle storage

Short-term and long-term storage while your claim is assessed, if your policy requires it.

Tow to the repair shop

A tow to an authorized repair or body shop, so your vehicle gets where it needs to go.

A second tow later

A follow-up tow from the compound to the shop you choose once your claim moves ahead.

Heavy-duty recovery

Heavy-duty recovery for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles on a commercial policy.

Permitted surcharges

Surcharges permitted under your policy, such as after-hours work or special equipment.

Your deductible and when to claim

Most Alberta policies carry a deductible, often $500 or more, which you pay before the insurer pays the rest. For a short local tow that costs less than your deductible, it is usually cheaper to pay out of pocket. Claiming makes the most sense when the tow is part of a larger accident or recovery claim, or when storage is involved. Compare prices on our towing cost guide.

Will a claim affect my premium?

A tow on its own is not usually what moves your premium; the claim it is attached to is what matters. A not-at-fault or comprehensive claim (such as hail or theft) generally has less impact than an at-fault collision claim. When a tow is one line on an accident claim you are already filing, it rarely adds a separate cost. Check with your insurer or broker before you decide, and we are happy to provide the detailed, itemized invoice you will need for your claim either way.

Direct billing vs reimbursement

With direct billing, we send the invoice straight to your insurer under their pre-negotiated rates, so you pay little or nothing upfront. With reimbursement, you pay now and your insurer typically mails a cheque back within one to two weeks. Direct billing is the easier option and the one we recommend.

• Your insurance company name and policy number
• Your claim number, if you have already opened a claim
• The vehicle year, make, model, and plate
• Where the vehicle is and where it needs to go
• A short description of what happened (collision, theft recovery, breakdown)

Collisions

Single-vehicle and multi-vehicle collisions of every kind.

Hit-and-run

Hit-and-run and uninsured-driver incidents.

Comprehensive claims

Hail damage, theft recovery, and animal strikes.

Off-road recovery

Vehicles that need off-road or ditch recovery.

Out-of-province

Visitors whose policy covers towing in Alberta.

What does insurance billing for towing mean?

Insurance billing for towing allows the tow service to bill your auto insurance provider directly for eligible towing and recovery costs, reducing or eliminating upfront payment depending on your coverage.

Is towing covered by insurance in Alberta?

Many Alberta auto insurance policies include coverage for collision-related towing, roadside recovery, or post-accident vehicle transport. Coverage depends on your policy type and provider.

When can insurance billing be used for towing services?

Insurance billing is most commonly used after accidents, vehicle recovery incidents, or insured breakdowns where towing is required to move a non-drivable vehicle from the scene.

Do I need to contact my insurance company before requesting a tow?

Not always. In urgent situations, towing can be dispatched first. Insurance details can usually be provided afterward so the billing process can be coordinated properly.

What information is required for insurance-based towing claims?

Typically, insurers require your policy number, claim number (if available), vehicle details, and incident location. This information helps ensure accurate claim processing.

Is insurance billing available for accident recovery towing?

Yes. After a collision, accident recovery towing in Calgary is often eligible for direct insurance billing when permitted by the policy.

Does insurance billing apply to roadside assistance calls?

In some cases, roadside services such as battery boosts or winching may be covered. For minor issues, roadside assistance in Calgary may be billed through insurance or membership plans.

Will I still have to pay anything out of pocket?

Out-of-pocket costs depend on policy limits, deductibles, and service coverage. Any non-covered charges are explained clearly before billing is finalized.

Can insurance billing be used for commercial or fleet vehicles?

Commercial and fleet vehicles may qualify for insurance-based towing depending on the policy. Business operators often use centralized billing to simplify claims and accounting.

Does insurance billing slow down towing response time?

No. Towing is dispatched based on urgency and location. Insurance details are handled separately and do not delay vehicle recovery or transport.

Does insurance cover towing after an accident in Alberta?

Usually yes. If you carry collision coverage, the tow from the scene after a crash is normally handled as part of your collision claim. We can bill your insurer directly when the tow is covered.

Do I have to pay my deductible for towing?

It depends on your policy and the claim. For a small local tow that costs less than your deductible, it is often cheaper to pay out of pocket. When the tow is part of a larger accident or recovery claim, it is usually included in that claim.

Will using insurance for a tow raise my premium?

A tow on its own is not usually what changes your premium; the claim it is attached to is what matters. A not-at-fault or comprehensive claim generally has less impact than an at-fault collision claim. Check with your insurer, and we will provide an itemized invoice either way.

Which insurance companies do you bill directly?

We bill all major insurers operating in Alberta and Canada, including Intact, AMA Insurance, TD Insurance, Aviva, Wawanesa, Co-operators, belairdirect, Peace Hills, Economical, Allstate, and SGI Canada, among others.

Does insurance cover vehicle storage fees?

Often yes. When your vehicle is held while a claim is assessed, short-term and long-term storage is commonly covered under an accident or comprehensive claim. We explain any storage terms upfront.

Does comprehensive insurance cover towing for hail, theft, or hitting an animal?

Yes. Comprehensive coverage handles non-collision events such as hail, theft, fire, vandalism, and animal strikes, and towing or recovery after one of these is usually covered under that claim.

What if my policy does not offer direct billing?

No problem. We provide a clear, itemized invoice so you can pay and then claim reimbursement from your insurer, who typically sends a cheque within one to two weeks.

Do I need a police report to claim towing in Calgary?

Since January 2024, a collision in Alberta only needs to be reported to police when damage is estimated over $5,000 or there are injuries. In Calgary you report through the Calgary Police Service online or at a district office. Your insurer will tell you what documentation your specific claim needs.