Consent Towing vs. Non-Consent Towing in Texas — Know the Difference

Every towing company operating in Texas must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Licensed operators are required to carry commercial auto liability insurance, maintain proper equipment, follow maximum rate schedules for non-consent tows, and provide itemized invoices. You can verify any company's license status in seconds at tdlr.texas.gov.

Texas law also gives you the right to choose your tow destination in most circumstances, receive a copy of your invoice before paying, and dispute charges you believe are excessive. If a company refuses to provide an invoice or insists on cash only without documentation, those are red flags. NW Towing provides digital receipts on every job, no exceptions.

Many major insurers — State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive — operate their own dispatch networks that route your tow call to a contracted provider. While convenient, these programs sometimes prioritize cost over proximity, leading to longer wait times. You always have the right to call your own towing company and request direct reimbursement instead of using the insurer's network provider.

NW Towing works directly with major insurance carriers and third-party administrators including Agero, Urgently, and Honk. If your insurer routes your call to us, the service you receive is identical to calling us directly. If you prefer to call us first and reimburse through insurance, we provide the exact documentation every major carrier requires.

Most auto insurance policies include a roadside assistance or towing and labor endorsement — but the coverage limits vary enormously. Some policies cap reimbursement at $50 per occurrence, which doesn't go far when a tow in DFW averages $125–$200. Others offer unlimited towing to the nearest qualified repair facility. Before you need a tow, pull out your declarations page and look for the roadside or towing section.

If your current policy's towing limit feels low, ask your agent about upgrading. The difference between a $50 and $150 towing endorsement is typically less than $5 per month on your premium. That upgrade pays for itself the very first time you need a flatbed.