Is Your Insurance Towing Benefit Worth It? What SA Policies Actually Cover

Most comprehensive car insurance policies in South Africa include a towing benefit at no extra cost, but the coverage is often more limited than you think. Common restrictions include 50-100km distance limits, approved provider requirements, and exclusions for mechanical breakdowns on some policies.

Key Takeaways:

Most SA insurers cover towing up to 50-100km for accident-related incidents
Mechanical breakdown towing is NOT always included — check your policy
Using your insurance towing benefit does NOT count as a claim with most insurers
You may be restricted to insurer-approved towing companies and workshops

What Major SA Insurers Include for Towing

We work with all major South African insurance companies on a daily basis. Here's what their standard comprehensive policies typically include for towing and roadside assistance:^[1]

Insurer	Towing Distance	Mechanical Breakdown	Other Benefits
Outsurance	Up to 100km	Yes (with roadside option)	Battery jump, flat tyre, locksmith, fuel
Discovery Insure	Up to 100km	Yes	Emergency fuel, flat tyre, key lockout
Santam	Up to 80km	Limited	Tyre change, basic roadside repairs
MiWay	Up to 100km (Premier)	Premier plan only	Battery boost, tyre change, locksmith
King Price	Up to 80km	With add-on	Flat tyre, fuel delivery
Budget Insurance	Up to 50km	Limited	Basic roadside only
Auto & General	Up to 100km	Yes	Tyre change, battery jump, locksmith

Important: These are typical coverages for standard comprehensive policies. Your specific plan may differ. Always check your policy schedule or call your insurer to confirm your exact benefits.

Kilometre Limits on Towing Benefits

The distance limit on your towing benefit is one of the most important details to understand. Here's what it means in practice:

50km limit: Enough for a tow within Pretoria (e.g., from Centurion to Hatfield is about 20km). Not enough for Pretoria to Johannesburg (60km) or Pretoria to OR Tambo (55km+).
80km limit: Covers most tows within Gauteng. Pretoria to Midrand (35km), Pretoria to Sandton (55km), and Pretoria to OR Tambo (50km) all fit within this limit.
100km limit: Covers virtually any tow within Gauteng and some inter-provincial tows. Pretoria to Johannesburg CBD (60km) is well within range.

If your tow exceeds the distance limit, you'll need to pay the per-kilometre rate for the additional distance. This is usually R15-R25/km.^[2] We can handle the split billing — your insurer covers the included distance, and you pay the difference.

Mechanical Breakdown vs Accident Towing Coverage

This is where many policyholders get caught out. There's a significant difference between the two:

Accident Towing

If your vehicle is damaged in a collision, all comprehensive insurance policies cover towing as part of the accident claim. This is straightforward — the tow is part of the claim process, and your insurer will authorise it directly.

Mechanical Breakdown Towing

If your car simply breaks down (engine failure, transmission issue, overheating), the towing coverage depends on your specific policy:

Included as standard: Outsurance, Discovery Insure, Auto & General (on most plans)
Included with add-on/upgrade: MiWay (Premier only), King Price (add-on required)
Limited or excluded: Santam (varies by plan), Budget Insurance (limited roadside)

If your policy doesn't cover mechanical breakdown towing, you'll need to pay out of pocket. That's where we come in — our insurance and direct towing service handles both insured and cash calls.

How to Use Your Insurance Towing Benefit (Step by Step)

When you need a tow and want to use your insurance benefit, here's the process:

Call your insurer's roadside assist number (found on your insurance card or app). Do NOT call a random tow truck first — most insurers won't reimburse if you don't go through their system.
Provide your policy number, location, and vehicle details. Drop a GPS pin if possible to speed up dispatch.
Wait for authorisation. The call centre will confirm your benefit and authorise a towing company. This can take 5-15 minutes.
A towing company is dispatched. The insurer's network will send the nearest available truck. This may or may not be us, depending on the insurer's panel.
Confirm destination. You may be limited to insurer-approved workshops. Ask if you can choose your own destination.
Sign the paperwork. The tow truck driver will have documentation. Review it and sign.

Pro tip: Some insurers allow you to arrange your own tow and submit for reimbursement. If you call us directly and then submit the invoice to your insurer, you may get faster service. Ask your insurer if they accept third-party invoices.

When to Pay Cash Instead of Using Insurance

There are situations where paying for towing out of pocket makes more sense than using your insurance benefit:

When speed matters: Insurance dispatch can take 45-90 minutes. Calling us directly gets you help in 20-30 minutes. If you're on a dangerous highway at night, faster is better.
When you exceed the distance limit: If your tow is well beyond your km limit, the per-km excess charges through your insurer may not be cheaper than our direct rate.
When you want to choose the destination: Insurers often restrict you to their approved network. If you want your car at your own trusted mechanic, paying directly gives you full control.
When it's a minor issue: For a short tow (under 10km) that costs R850-R1,000, it may not be worth the hassle of calling through your insurer, waiting for authorisation, and dealing with their paperwork.
When you've used your benefit limit: Some policies limit you to 2-4 callouts per year. If you've used your allowance, you'll be paying out of pocket anyway.

We offer competitive direct rates for all emergency towing and flatbed towing calls. No hidden fees, no markup — just an honest quote upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using my towing benefit count as a claim?

With most SA insurers, using the roadside assistance / towing benefit does NOT count as a claim and will not affect your claims history or premiums. However, if the tow is part of an accident claim, then yes, the accident itself is a claim. Check with your specific insurer to confirm.

Does insurance cover towing for mechanical breakdown?

It depends on your policy. Outsurance, Discovery Insure, and Auto & General typically include mechanical breakdown towing as standard. Other insurers may require an add-on or upgraded plan. Check your policy schedule or call your insurer to confirm.

Can I choose my own tow truck company?

Some insurers allow you to use any towing company and reimburse you, while others require you to use their approved panel. Outsurance and Discovery generally allow more flexibility. If you want to use us specifically, ask your insurer about third-party reimbursement.

How many times can I use my towing benefit per year?

Most comprehensive policies allow 2-6 roadside assistance callouts per year, depending on the insurer and your plan level. After you exceed this limit, you'll need to pay for towing directly.

Need Help with Insurance Towing?

We work with all major SA insurers and can handle the authorisation process for you. Or pay direct for faster service — your choice.

Call for Towing

Sources

Hippo.co.za. "Car Insurance Roadside Assistance Comparison 2026." hippo.co.za
MechanicBuddy. "Understanding Your Insurance Towing Benefit." mechanicbuddy.co.za