Roadside assistance exists to help you out if your car gets stuck on the side of the road. You can use the coverage for a tow if your engine breaks down. Emergency roadside service also covers services like battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout assistance and more.
You can get stand-alone roadside assistance memberships from companies like AAA. Many people also get roadside assistance coverage from their car insurance company. Your manufacturer or extended car warranty may come with roadside coverage as well.
Roadside assistance most often applies to cars and trucks, but coverage can include RVs, motorcycles and bicycles depending on the provider.
What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?
Towing. Getting stuck on the side of the road is a hassle, and figuring out how to secure a tow truck can be a challenge in an unfamiliar area. All roadside assistance plans offer towing services for this situation — just call the number for your company and they’ll send a tow to your location. Some plans cover towing only to the nearest mechanic while others will tow your vehicle to a mechanic of your choice.
Battery Jump-Start. Perhaps all you need is a jump but there aren’t any neighborly travelers to help you out. Roadside assistance services can help by jump-starting your dead battery to get you back on the road.
Fuel Delivery. Running on fumes only works for so long. It’s disheartening to feel the engine sputter as you finally run out of gas. But with a roadside assistance plan, you can get fuel delivered to your location. Some plans provide a certain amount of fuel for free while others charge you for the fuel. If your car breaks down because you are low on other fluids like coolant or brake fluid, the roadside technician may be able to supply those as well.
Lockout Service. It’s a hassle to lock your keys in your car. But instead of looking up mobile locksmiths in your area, you can call your roadside assistance number and get one dispatched to your location.
Spare Tire Installation. Getting a flat tire can grind your road trip to a halt. Roadside assistance services cover a spare tire change to get you moving again. Note that this requires you to have your own spare tire — the roadside company won’t provide a spare for you to use.
How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost?
How much roadside assistance costs depends largely on how you buy a plan. Insurance companies offer roadside assistance as an insurance add-on for as low as $10 to $20 per year, while auto clubs like AAA can cost about $70 to $150 per year. Roadside plans from insurance companies may have lower coverage limits than plans from auto clubs.
Either type of roadside plan can usually save you money if your vehicle breaks down. Without roadside assistance, you might pay $50 to $100 for a jump-start or spare tire installation out of pocket. And getting a tow could cost $100 to $200 depending on how far you are from a mechanic.
FAQ
Roadside assistance covers services like towing, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and minor mechanical repairs. Coverage varies by insurer, so it’s important to check what’s included in your policy.
Roadside assistance typically covers towing for mechanical breakdowns but may not include accident-related towing. Some insurers offer accident towing under collision coverage or separate towing and labor coverage.
Costs vary based on the insurer and policy, but roadside assistance is usually an affordable add-on to auto insurance. Some insurers offer it as part of a membership or bundle it with comprehensive or full coverage policies.
Some policies cover the insured person regardless of the vehicle, while others are tied to the insured car. If you frequently drive different vehicles, check with your insurer to see if your coverage follows you or the specific car.
Insurers often limit the number of service calls per year. Exceeding the limit may result in extra charges or policy restrictions. It’s best to review your policy to understand any usage caps.