Affordable Roadside Assistance Coverage (2024)

Auto coverage with roadside assistance coverage policies is there to help drivers who experience breakdowns on the side of the road. All the best auto insurance companies offer this “add-on” to car insurance policies.

If you experience a breakdown and need assistance, you can call up your insurer’s roadside assistance number and they will dispatch someone to come help you.

To easily find affordable auto insurance with roadside assistance, compare rates by using our free quote tool.

What does roadside assistance cover?

Roadside assistance coverage works like this: Insurance companies employ a network of roadside assistance businesses to help policyholders who get “stuck” on the side of the road. Keep reading to learn more about affordable auto insurance with roadside assistance.

When can roadside assistance help?

What to do when your car breaks down? First, put on your hazards and move out of the road, if possible.

Roadside assistance is there to get your vehicle moving again (without taking it to a repair shop) if it stalls on the side of the road. Here are some common scenarios in which your auto insurance company’s roadside insurance coverage can help you out:

• Emergency Jumpstarts:If your battery dies, roadside assistance can deploy somebody to you to give you a jumpstart or even replace your battery with a new one. This service can be especially useful for people who frequently leave their lights running or drive an older vehicle.
• Flat Tires: When you get a flat, you probably have a lot of questions, like “How did this happen,” or “Will auto insurance cover a flat tire?”
  • If you don’t know how to replace a flat tire or you don’t have a spare, roadside assistance can do it for you.
  • USAA roadside assistance for flat tires is an option. Progressive auto insurance and Geico auto insurance also offer roadside assistance for flat tires, as do many other insurance companies.
• Fuel Delivery:If you run out of gas while driving, a qualified agent can come and deliver fuel to you. Unfortunately, they will not come and fill up your tank for you on the spot. Usually, they will just give you enough fuel so you can make it to the nearest gas station.
• Lockout/Locksmith Service: If you get locked out of your car, roadside providers can help. A lockout service will first try to gain entry to your vehicle by using a wedge, a “Slim Jim,” or a reach tool. If they cannot help, a more expensive locksmith will be deployed who can pick the lock (in older vehicles) or reprogram the key. (For more information, read our “Does auto insurance cover a locksmith?“).
• Extrication/Winching Service: If your vehicle gets stuck in a ditch, the snow, or any place it can’t get out of, roadside assistance can use their tools to try and dislodge the vehicle.
• Towing Coverage: If roadside assistance fails to get your vehicle up and running again, they will tow your vehicle to the closest in-network repair shop. They can also help tow your vehicle to your home or to your preferred mechanic, but that might cost you extra.
  • It’s worth noting different companies may offer different towing distances. In your area, the Farmers Insurance towing distance may not be the same as the State Farm auto insurance roadside assistance towing distance or USAA towing assistance. It’s important to contact an agent from your service provider for specifics.

Read more:

• Does my auto insurance cover towing and roadside assistance?
• Does Liberty Mutual offer roadside assistance as part of their auto insurance coverage?

If you want to learn more before you buy auto insurance with roadside assistance from reputable companies, keep reading.

Who should get roadside assistance coverage?

Roadside assistance provides you with the peace of mind of knowing that there’s always somebody to help you out if your insured vehicle breaks down on the side of the road.

If that’s not enough to make it worth it to you, you should really still consider adding roadside assistance coverage to your current auto policy service options if one or more of the following conditions are met:

1. You Drive an Older Vehicle – Old cars break down more often than new cars. Newer cars drive smoother and have fewer issues. Sometimes, they even have complimentary roadside service from their manufacturer’s warranty. Old cars, however, seem to experience one issue after the next. If you drive an older car, roadside assistance coverage might be a wise investment.
2. You Drive Long Distances – If your daily commute is lengthy, you might consider getting roadside assistance coverage, especially one with towing benefits. Being stuck far away from home in a broken-down car is not fun.
3. You Know Nothing About Car Repair – If you have no clue how to fix or maintain a vehicle, roadside assistance coverage is a must. Instead of having to locate a local mechanic or towing service every time your vehicle experiences the slightest issue, you can simply rely on your insurance company’s roadside assistance. Not only is it convenient, but it’s also cost beneficial.

For some statistics about roadside assistance services, check out the chart below.

As you can see, roadside assistance can be very beneficial.

How much does roadside assistance coverage cost?

The cost of roadside assistance coverage all depends on the amount of coverage you purchase and which auto insurance company you use. In most cases, however, roadside assistance plans pay for themselves after just one use.

For example, Geico charges $14 per year for roadside assistance coverage. In comparison, just one tow can cost over $200. Below, let’s compare some roadside assistance plans from major American insurance carriers.

How much does roadside assistance cost without insurance? Remember, auto insurance is required in almost every state, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to purchase roadside assistance without first having auto insurance.

Full coverage car insurance policies from many companies can include collision and comprehensive car insurance with roadside assistance.

What insurance companies offer roadside assistance?

If you contact agents from these various companies, they will usually provide a roadside assistance quote. See some of the best roadside assistance programs and companies. Geico insurance offers roadside assistance coverage and tire repair.

• Geico
  Cost: $14 per year, per car
  Includes: Emergency Jumpstart Services, Tow services (to the closest service station), Vehicle Lockout (up to $100), Flat Tire Service
• USAA
  Cost: Depends
  Includes: Emergency Jumpstart Services, Towing, Emergency Fuel Services, Vehicle Lockout, Flat Tire Service
  The USAA roadside assistance number is 800-531-8555.
• Progressive
  Cost: $10-$18 per policy period
  Includes: Emergency Jumpstart Services, Towing to a qualified repair facility (towing miles limit 15-mile radius), Emergency Fuel Services, Vehicle Lockout, Flat Tire Service, Extrication/Winching Service, One Hour of Labor/Mechanical Repair
• State Farm
  Cost: $5-7 per policy period
  Includes: Emergency Jumpstart Services, Towing, Emergency Fuel Services, Vehicle Lockout, Flat Tire Service
• AARP Auto Insurance
  Cost: $58-74 per year
  Includes: Emergency Jumpstart Services, Standard Towing, Emergency Fuel Services, Vehicle Lockout, Flat Tire Service, Extrication/Winching Service, Labor/Mechanical Repair

Other options are available, as well, such as Travelers auto insurance roadside assistance coverage. Listed above are simply some of the most popular.

Cheap roadside coverage options can be found at almost every major company; however, it’s important to determine what options you’d like included before deciding on an auto insurance policy. Geico offers 24-hour roadside assistance, as do many other insurance companies.

How can you find roadside assistance coverage?

Before purchasing roadside assistance coverage through your auto insurance provider, first, check to make sure you don’t already have roadside assistance coverage through another outlet. Many credit cards, such as American Express, offer free roadside assistance to all cardholders.

If you have it, make sure American Express roadside assistance offers all the types of assistance you might need. It’s worth noting that auto liability insurance policies may not come with vehicle emergency road service or other types of roadside assistance.

Additionally, if you’re a AAA member, it should go without saying that you probably already have adequate roadside assistance coverage. As mentioned above, new vehicles still under their manufacturer’s warranty might have roadside assistance coverage included. There are many ways to receive auto insurance with free roadside assistance.

How do you get a quote on the types of coverage you need?

Roadside assistance coverage, regardless of how you get it, can be a very useful type of coverage.

It can offer you peace of mind, convenience, and can even save you money. It’s an invaluable service, especially to those who drive an older vehicle or have long commutes. If you think roadside assistance coverage is right for you, call your insurance provider today to see which plans they offer.

If you’re ready to look for cheap quotes for car insurance coverage with roadside assistance, use our free quote tool now to compare cheap car insurance premiums.