Discovery Insure has left us in a financial mass

My wife and I were involved in a car accident on Thursday. Unfortunately at the time the our insurance had lapsed as my wife and i were battling to make payments. We were even in the process of selling the car before the accident had happened as finances have been a struggle.

At the accident scene, my wife and I were not in the best of state more so my wife as she had to be taken to the hospital.

The towing company on scene called Discovery and discovery approved for the towing of the vehicle and said it is covered knowing very well that it was not. The next day the towing company (First Help) informed me that insurance had instructed them to release the vehicle and that I am liable for all the costs.

But why did discovery approve for the towing in the first place whereas an alternative would have been made prior to us knowing having a bill of 12k.

I did not authorize for the towing, Discovery did knowing very well there was no cover.

They even gave a claims number to the towing company: ***