If you need a tow but have no money, first check whether you already have roadside assistance through AAA, auto insurance, a vehicle warranty, a credit card, or another membership. You can also ask towing companies about payment arrangements, discounts, or a shorter tow to a nearby repair shop.
Never attempt an unsafe DIY tow simply because you cannot afford professional service. Your safety and the safety of other drivers should come first.
Can You Get a Tow With No Money?
Yes, depending on your situation, you may be able to get a tow without paying the full cost upfront.
Possible options include:
- AAA or another roadside membership
- Auto insurance roadside assistance
- Vehicle warranty coverage
- Dealership assistance
- Credit card roadside benefits
- Local assistance programs
- Towing company payment arrangements
- Discounts or reduced rates
- A shorter-distance tow
There is no universal free-towing program for everyone, so available options depend on your location and circumstances.
Check AAA or Another Roadside Membership
If you already have AAA, check your benefits before paying for a private tow. Depending on your plan and location, roadside assistance may include towing, battery service, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and tire service.
Towing mileage limits vary by membership level and region. If your tow is covered, you may not need to pay the normal private towing cost at the time of service.
If you don’t already have AAA, don’t assume joining after a breakdown will make the tow free. Some plans may have waiting periods, restrictions, or additional fees for immediate service.
Check Your Auto Insurance
Call your insurance provider and ask whether your policy includes roadside assistance.
Ask:
- Is towing covered?
- How many miles are included?
- Is there a service limit?
- Will the insurer dispatch the tow truck?
- Do I have to pay upfront?
- Can I choose the repair shop?
Roadside assistance is often optional, so verify your specific policy.
Check Your Vehicle Warranty
A newer vehicle may include manufacturer roadside assistance. Depending on the manufacturer, benefits can include towing, battery jump-starts, flat-tire service, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance.
Check your owner’s manual, warranty documents, or manufacturer’s roadside assistance number.
Ask the Dealership for Help
If your vehicle is under warranty or recently received dealership service, contact the dealership. They may be able to arrange a tow or explain whether roadside assistance is included with your vehicle.
Ask whether they can arrange transportation directly to their service department.
Check Your Credit Card Benefits
Some credit cards provide roadside assistance. However, the service may not be completely free and could involve a fixed fee or limits.
Call the number on the back of your card and specifically ask about emergency towing and roadside assistance.
Ask the Tow Company About Payment Options
If you don’t have roadside coverage, call local towing companies before dispatching a truck. Explain your situation and ask whether they offer:
- Payment plans
- Partial payments
- Credit or debit card payments
- Financing
- Discounts
- Reduced rates for short-distance towing
Not every company offers these options, but asking beforehand can help you avoid an unexpected bill.
Always request the complete estimated price before authorizing the tow.
Request a Shorter Tow
A shorter tow can significantly reduce the cost. If you need to reach a repair shop, ask about nearby shops rather than automatically towing the vehicle home.
Ask the towing company for prices to several practical destinations and choose the most affordable option.
Determine Whether You Actually Need a Tow
You may only need roadside assistance instead of a tow. A dead battery, flat tire, empty fuel tank, or vehicle lockout can sometimes be handled at the roadside.
Services such as battery jumps, tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance may cost less than transporting the vehicle to a repair shop.
Contact Local Assistance Programs
If you genuinely cannot afford vehicle-related expenses, contact local community organizations. Depending on your area, possible resources include:
- Community action agencies
- Churches and charitable organizations
- Local social-service programs
- Transportation assistance programs
- Workforce assistance organizations
- Community nonprofits
These organizations may not pay the towing company directly, but they may know about emergency assistance programs in your area.
Ask a Friend or Family Member
A trusted friend or family member may be able to help with transportation or assist you in arranging professional towing.
Avoid using ropes, chains, or improvised towing equipment unless you know the vehicle and towing method are appropriate. Some AWD, 4WD, electric, and automatic-transmission vehicles have specific towing requirements, and improper towing can cause expensive damage.
What If My Car Is Stranded on a Highway?
If your vehicle is disabled on a busy road, safety should come before cost.
- Move away from traffic if it is safe to do so.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay in a safe location.
- Call 911 if you’re in immediate danger.
- Check for highway or government roadside assistance.
- Contact your insurance or roadside assistance provider.
- Compare private towing options if necessary.
Never remain in an unsafe location simply because you cannot afford a tow.
Can a Tow Company Let You Pay Later?
Some towing companies may offer delayed or partial payment, but this depends on the company’s policies.
Ask before dispatch:
“I can’t pay the full amount today. Do you offer payment arrangements?”
If they agree, confirm the terms in writing, including the total cost, payment deadline, and possible storage or administrative fees.
What If Your Car Is Already in an Impound Lot?
Contact the impound facility as soon as possible. Ask about:
- Your current balance
- Daily storage fees
- Vehicle release requirements
- Available payment options
- Payment arrangements
- The process for disputing the tow
Storage fees can continue accumulating, so don’t ignore the situation. If you believe the vehicle was wrongfully towed, research the tow-dispute process in your state or municipality.
Is There a Free Tow for Low-Income Drivers?
There is no universal free-towing program for all low-income drivers in the United States. However, some cities, states, highway agencies, and nonprofits offer limited roadside or emergency transportation assistance.
Government highway assistance programs may provide free help within designated areas, particularly when a disabled vehicle creates a traffic or safety hazard.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Tow?
If you have no money, an existing roadside assistance benefit is usually cheaper than paying for a private tow.
Try these steps:
- Check insurance and roadside memberships.
- Ask about warranty or manufacturer coverage.
- Contact your dealership.
- Check credit card roadside benefits.
- Call several towing companies.
- Request the shortest practical tow.
- Ask about payment arrangements or discounts.
- Determine whether roadside service can solve the problem without towing.
- Look for local emergency assistance.
Don’t choose a towing company based only on an advertised price. Ask for the total estimated cost, including mileage and additional fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free tow if I have no money?
Check AAA, auto insurance, vehicle warranty, dealership, credit card, and local roadside assistance benefits. If you have no coverage, ask towing companies about discounts, payment arrangements, or shorter-distance towing.
Can AAA tow me if I have no cash?
If you have an active AAA membership and your situation is covered, AAA can arrange roadside assistance without requiring you to pay the normal private towing price upfront. Mileage and service limits depend on your membership.
Can I buy AAA after my car breaks down?
Some AAA regions allow immediate roadside service after joining for an additional fee, while other benefits may have waiting periods or restrictions. Check the terms for your specific AAA region.
Does car insurance pay for towing?
It can if your policy includes roadside assistance or applicable coverage. Contact your insurer to confirm whether your breakdown qualifies and how much towing is covered.
Can a towing company give me a free tow?
A private towing company may offer a discount or waive a charge in certain situations, but there is no general requirement for towing companies to provide free service.
What should I do if I can’t afford any towing service?
Move yourself and passengers to a safe location, check all existing roadside benefits, contact local assistance programs, and ask towing companies about payment arrangements. Avoid unsafe DIY towing methods.
Conclusion
If you need a tow with no money, check existing roadside assistance before paying out of pocket. AAA, auto insurance, vehicle warranties, dealerships, credit cards, and local assistance programs may provide towing or other roadside services.
If you don’t have coverage, contact local towing companies and ask about payment plans, discounts, and the least expensive destination. You may also be able to resolve the problem with a battery jump, tire change, fuel delivery, or another roadside service instead of paying for a full tow.
When you need professional help, Towing Recovery Rebuilding Assistance Services can help with towing, towing near me, towing service, tow trucks, tow trucks near me, and towing service near me. Call 630-200-2731 for assistance.
