Towing and Insurance — What Do OC, AC, and Assistance Cover?

Towing and Insurance — What Do OC, AC, and Assistance Cover?

A car breakdown on the road is stressful. Towing costs in Poland range from 50 to 500 EUR depending on distance and vehicle type. The good news? In many cases, insurance covers towing costs — you just need to know which policy to use.

We get this question almost every day: "Can my insurance pay for the tow truck?" The short answer is usually yes, but it depends on who caused the incident and what policies you carry. Here's how the three main types break down.

OC (Third-Party Liability) — When Does It Cover Towing?

OC covers damages caused by the at-fault party. If someone else caused the accident, their OC insurance pays for towing your vehicle.

What OC covers:

• Towing from the scene to a workshop
• Transport to your home location
• Guarded parking if repairs are delayed
• Rental car during repairs (in justified cases)

Limits:

• No upper limit on towing under OC — the at-fault party's insurer covers reasonable costs
• Costs must be documented with an invoice
• You must choose a reasonable route

How to get reimbursed:

1. Collect documents: towing invoice, accident report, photos
2. File a claim with the at-fault driver's OC insurer
3. Provide the at-fault driver's OC policy number
4. Wait for decision — reimbursement usually within 30 days

AC (Comprehensive Insurance) — When Does It Cover Towing?

AC is voluntary insurance that covers your vehicle no matter who's at fault.

AC covers towing for:

• Accidents you caused
• Recovered stolen vehicles
• Vandalism, hail, flood damage
• Animal collisions

AC does NOT cover:

• Mechanical breakdowns
• Normal wear and tear
• Running out of fuel

AC limits:

• Varies by policy — typically 125–500 EUR for towing
• Some AC policies include built-in assistance

Assistance — The Broadest Towing Coverage

Assistance insurance is the best protection against breakdowns. Unlike OC and AC, assistance covers towing even for mechanical failures.

What assistance covers:

• Towing after mechanical/electrical breakdown
• Towing after accident
• On-site help (tire change, jump start, fuel delivery)
• Rental car, hotel, passenger transport

Assistance limitations:

• Distance limit — usually 50–200 km
• Minimum distance from home — many policies require 25–50 km
• Vehicle age — some exclude cars over 10–15 years
• Interventions per year — usually 2–4
• Waiting period — 14–30 days from purchase

Comparison: OC vs AC vs Assistance

5 Myths We Hear on Every Call-Out

1. "OC covers all towing" — False. Only when someone else is at fault.
2. "Assistance works immediately" — Often has 14–30 day waiting period.
3. "I can choose any towing company" — With OC yes, with assistance usually their assigned operator.
4. "Insurer always reimburses full cost" — Only "reasonable costs" with documentation.
5. "I don't need assistance if I have AC" — AC doesn't cover mechanical breakdowns, the most common towing reason.

What This Means for You

The right insurance can save hundreds of euros on towing costs:

• Not-at-fault accident? The at-fault driver's OC pays
• Your-fault accident? AC or assistance
• Mechanical breakdown? Only assistance
• Always get an invoice for towing

Need towing now? Call +48 571 426 225 — we also help with insurance paperwork. Available 24/7.