KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Crash tows: ICBC pays towing and storage once coverage is confirmed.
- Ask if the tow company is in the ICBC Towing Program before the car leaves.
- Breakdowns: Roadside Plus repays up to $50, two claims per term.
- BCAA Basic includes 5 km of towing, Plus 160 km and Premier 320 km.
- No coverage? Get the full price before hook-up and keep the receipt.
By Zip Towing Bridgeport BC · Published October 31, 2026
Does ICBC cover towing after a crash in Richmond?
Does ICBC cover towing? It depends on why the car needs moving. After a collision, ICBC's partner guide to Basic Vehicle Damage coverage says reasonable towing and storage are covered, and its page on Collision coverage lists towing and storage among the costs it helps with, even when you caused the crash. A deductible may apply to the Collision claim.
If you weren't responsible for a crash in BC, your own Basic Vehicle Damage coverage pays for repairs. Either way, once a crash has occured, the claim has to be reported and accepted, so get safe first, then book accident towing and report the claim. Our Hwy 99 safety checklist covers the first minutes after a crash near Bridgeport.
Who pays the tow truck on the day: you or ICBC?
ICBC says a towing company in its ICBC Towing Program can bill ICBC directly for towing and storage after your claim is submitted and coverage is confirmed. If the company isn't in the program, you pay and then submit your eligible receipts to ICBC for reimbursement consideration, which means repayment isn't automatic.
So ask the dispatcher whether they are in the program before the car leaves the scene. If you are choosing between companies, our list of Richmond towing companies explains what else to check. Storage is charged daily, so move the car from a yard to the body shop quickly; a flatbed tow is safest for a car that won't roll.
Does ICBC cover towing for a breakdown, a flat or a dead battery?
Basic insurance doesn't pay for a breakdown tow. ICBC's optional Roadside Plus package includes Emergency Roadside Expense Repayment, which covers mechanical breakdowns, keys locked in the car, flat tires and boosts. For a breakdown tow, it repays the cost of the tow truck attending, but not parts, fuel, oil, batteries or tires.
The limit is small: ICBC lists up to $50 per claim, two claims per policy term, made within 12 months. Check your policy first. Many breakdowns don't need a tow at all; a battery boost, a mobile tire change or fuel delivery can be the cheaper fix.
How far will BCAA tow you from Bridgeport?
BCAA's membership page lists free towing distance by plan. Basic includes up to 5 km, Plus up to 160 km and Premier up to 320 km. BCAA's plan comparison shows up to four roadside calls a year, with Premier's split as one tow up to 320 km and three up to 160 km. Plus and Premier ask you to allow 72 hours after joining before roadside help starts.
Five kilometres from Bridgeport Rd won't reach every Richmond shop, so distance past your plan is usually yours to pay. If the wait is long, you can call one of our local towing services and keep the receipt.
| Situation | Who usually pays | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Crash, claim accepted | ICBC, directly or by repaying your receipts | Is the tow company in the ICBC Towing Program? |
| Breakdown, Roadside Plus | You, then ICBC repays up to $50 | Can I get an itemized receipt? |
| Breakdown, BCAA member | BCAA, within your plan's distance | How many km does my plan cover? |
| Breakdown, no coverage | You | What is the total price before hook-up? |
What will you pay out of pocket if nothing covers the tow?
If you have no BCAA plan and it isn't an accepted claim, you pay the tow company. We can't give you a figure here, because the price depends on distance, the truck needed and where the car is stuck; our Richmond tow cost guide breaks it down, and our late-night towing guide covers calls after dark.
Zip Towing confirms the price on the phone before we hook up, so you can decide before anything moves, with a receipt for ICBC or BCAA. Our list of hidden towing fees shows which extras to ask about. It's a good habit to recieve every quote as a total, not just a hook-up fee.
Bridgeport drivers: where coverage runs out
Bridgeport sits at the north edge of Richmond, next to the Knight Street Bridge and the Oak Street Bridge approach on Hwy 99. A tow from Bridgeport Rd to a dealer in Vancouver crosses the river, and a trip to the Tsawwassen ferries is longer still, so check how far your plan actually goes. For longer runs, ask about long-distance hauling.
Zip Towing is based at 12127 Bridgeport Rd and runs 24 hour roadside help. If you aren't sure what you're covered for, call or message us with the car, the spot and the drop-off, and we'll give you the price so you can compare it with your plan. Definately keep the receipt. More guides are on the Zip Towing blog.
Questions drivers ask
Does ICBC Basic insurance cover a tow after a breakdown?
No. Breakdown help comes from the optional Roadside Plus package, which repays up to $50 per claim, two claims per policy term.
Will ICBC pay storage fees after a crash?
ICBC says towing and storage are covered once coverage is confirmed. Storage is charged daily, so move the car to the body shop soon.
Can I use BCAA for a tow in Richmond right after I join?
BCAA asks Plus and Premier members to allow 72 hours after purchase. Basic offers immediate access for a fee.
Does Zip Towing bill ICBC directly?
Ask us on the call before the tow. Either way, you get the price before hook-up and a receipt you can submit to ICBC.