Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is an optional part of an auto insurance policy that covers help when your car breaks down on the side of the road. Most roadside assistance plans will either pay upfront for towing, a tire change, or getting your car jumped or will reimburse you for out-of-pocket costs. You can also get roadside assistance separate from your insurance policy. AAA roadside assistance is one of the most well known, and roadside assistance near you may be available from local or regional groups, too. Read on to learn all about roadside assistance.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 19, 2023
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Whether it’s a flat tire, a large mud puddle, or engine trouble, nobody likes being stuck on the side of the road with an immovable vehicle. Predicting the future is impossible, but being prepared is simple. Purchasing roadside assistance insurance coverage from your policy provider can either cover your towing expenses upfront or reimburses you for them after you’ve paid out of pocket.
Roadside assistance is one of many auto insurance coverage options that not everyone needs or chooses to pay for. If you want to add roadside assistance car insurance coverage to your plan you may want to compare rates. To begin your search and compare auto insurance premiums, use our FREE rate comparison tool.
How to Choose Roadside Assistance Insurance Coverage
There are many different Roadside Assistance programs available to you, and not all of them come directly from your insurance company. So whether you’re considering a 3rd party Roadside Assistance package or going directly through your insurer, it’s important to shop around. Carefully select a policy that caters to your budget and your needs. There are a few key things you should look for when deciding on a policy. Most drivers – and rightfully so – make finding a good price their first priority. But there are other important questions to consider, too:
- How many drivers can you cover?
- How many tows per year does your coverage provide?
- How many miles can you tow your vehicle and still be covered?
- Can you get services 24/7, 365 days out of the year? Or are there restrictions?
You should also look into additional services and discounts that your Roadside Assistance may offer. Some programs, such as AAA, offer discounts for vehicle maintenance services and/or seemingly unrelated services, such as prescription lenses. Others, such as those offered through auto insurance providers, are more bare-bones (but less costly).
Read more: Do You Need Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Roadside Assistance Insurance – Options, Options, Options
When people think about roadside assistance automobile insurance, they think of auto clubs. This is the most direct way to obtain roadside assistance. Membership covers the driver and oftentimes additional drivers no matter what car they are driving at the time of service. But some of these clubs put some potentially expensive charges into their fine print, so be sure to read your contract very carefully.
When automakers provide complimentary roadside assistance, it is usually associated with new or certified vehicles. Roadside assistance obtained in this fashion is generally bound by limits imposed by the dealership, usually in the form of maximum mileage or amount of time. But there could be additional costs if your tow truck has to take you farther to get to the right location, if your preferred dealership isn’t open when your vehicle is towed, or if you have to take it to a non-authorized shop.
Auto insurance companies also offer roadside assistance plans. They are very similar to auto-club plans in that they don’t have very many restrictions — with the exception of the specific vehicle covered, of course. Most insurance providers only cover you if you use the service to tow the vehicle you are currently insuring on your auto policy. There is also the risk that your monthly premiums may go up of you make too many Roadside Assistance claims.
Credit card companies and cell phone providers have begun offering this service as well. The most common restriction with cell phone companies is that the roadside assistance only covers the person with the cell phone at the time. So, if you left your phone at home, it is possible that you can be turned away. Some credit card companies have offered the service, but then billed their cardholder’s account at a later date. When obtaining a plan through these mediums, keep a wary eye out for the details.
| Company or Club | AAA | Allstate | BP Auto Club | GM |
| Yearly Cost | $56 | $52 | $96 | $94 |
| Yearly Cost (Add a Member) | $34 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Service Call Limit | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Towing Limits | 5 miles | $100 | 5 miles | Unlimited |
| Lockout Assistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tire Change Assistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dead Battery Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gas Delivery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Remember that your auto insurance company may offer roadside assistance as an optional service in addition to these auto services and clubs.
Have we answered all your questions about roadside assistance?
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