What Is Roadside Assistance Insurance and How Does It Work?
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Roadside assistance insurance is an optional add-on that covers emergency help, like towing, jump-starts, flat-tire changes, and lockouts, when your car breaks down. Adding it to your auto insurance policy typically costs $6–$15 a month ($70–$180 a year), making it one of the most affordable coverages you can buy. You can also get roadside assistance through a club like AAA, your credit card, or your car’s manufacturer, though cost, coverage, and towing limits vary by option.
Below, we break down what’s covered, what it costs, whether using it can affect your insurance rate, and how to decide if it’s worth adding to your policy.
Roadside assistance added to an existing auto insurance policy is generally the cheapest way to get coverage. Here’s a general range by provider:
| Provider | Monthly Range | Towing Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $5 – $7/mo | 10–15 miles |
| Liberty Mutual / Nationwide | $8 – $10/mo | 15–25 miles |
| State Farm | $9 – $11/mo | Basic towing |
| Farmers | $11 – $13/mo | Basic towing, added flexibility |
| Typical overall range | $6 – $15/mo ($70–$180/yr) | Varies by provider and plan |
Using insurance-based roadside assistance is typically logged as a claim on your policy. A single use usually won’t affect your premium, but filing two or more roadside claims within a 12-month period can lead some insurers to raise your rate or decline to renew your policy. Standalone plans through a club like AAA or a credit card don’t carry this risk, since they’re completely separate from your auto insurance record.
For most drivers, yes. A basic roadside assistance add-on costs $70–$180 a year, often less than the cost of a single service call. Without coverage, a tow alone can cost $99 or more, and services like a lockout or battery jump-start commonly run $75 or higher out of pocket, according to ValuePenguin’s analysis. In many cases, using roadside assistance just once can cover the cost of a full year’s coverage.
If you’ve ever run out of gas or locked your keys in your car, you can probably attest to the fact that having roadside assistance insurance coverage was—or would have been—handy. Roadside assistance insurance is an affordable and easy way to get out of inconvenient and potentially dangerous situations.
After all, there’s nothing like being stuck on the side of the road at midnight to bring to mind every episode of Forensic Files you ever watched. But when you have this roadside coverage, you can rest easier knowing someone is on the way to help.
Roadside assistance car insurance is extremely affordable and can cost as little as $50 a year or as much as $360. The only real way to get a handle on what it will cost you is to check with your insurance company. After all, it may already be included.
Of course, there are also completely separate plans not linked to your insurance policy, like AAA, which can cost you $60 to $350 a year. The benefits of these third-party roadside assistance programs are they offer you discounts on flights and hotels, making it a great option if you travel a lot.
But if you don’t, then an insurance add-on may be your best bet. Weigh your options and see what sits well with you.
This table shows you rates for roadside assistance and will give you an idea of what to expect to pay. Just keep in mind rates are not locked in and are subject to change. Get a free roadside insurance quote to find out how much this coverage will cost you.
| Roadside Assistance Coverage Provider | Approximate Cost | BBB Rating | Expected Coverage | Towing Limits | Policy Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $16 | A+ | Towing, winching, jump-start, fuel delivery, battery change, lockout service, flat tire change, on-scene labor | 15 miles or nearest repair shop | Service limits vary by policy |
| AAA | $38–$164 | A+ | Towing, flat tire change, jump-start, fuel delivery, mechanical first aid, locksmith service, identity theft protection, passport photos, trip planning | The nearest gas station, AAA-approved repair facility, or preferred mechanic | Limit of four service calls per membership year |
| Better World Club | $58-$98 | A+ | Battery jump-start, flat tire change, lockout service, fuel delivery, trip routing, discounts on hotels, rental cars, and some other perks | Five miles with the Basic Auto package, 100 miles with the Premium Auto package | Limit of four service calls per year |
| USAA | $14 | A- | Towing, lockout service, jump-start, flat tire change, fuel delivery | Nearest repair shop | Pays up to $100 per occurrence |
| Geico | $14 | A+ | Towing, jump-start, flat tire change, lockout service | Nearest repair shop | Limit of five service calls per year |
| CARCHEX | $60–$110 | A+ | Towing, mechanical first aid, flat tire change, emergency battery service, lockout service, fuel delivery, theft reward, trip route mapping | 25 miles | Limit of five to unlimited service calls per year—package depending |
| Allstate Motor Club | $86–$144 | A+ | Towing, jump-start, fuel delivery, lockout service, flat tire change, trip planning | $150–$250 benefit per tow, depending on package | Limit of three to five service calls per year, depending on package |
| AARP | $64–$84 | A+ | Towing, flat tire change, fuel delivery, battery boost, winching, lockout service, trip routing, auto theft reward, emergency hospital bond, arrest bond certificate, legal defense reimbursement, trip interruption guarantee | Five miles with the basic package, 100 miles with premium package | Limit of 3–4 service calls per year, depending on package |
| OnStar | $300–$756 | F | Automatic crash response, automatic emergency services contact, towing, flat tire change, fuel delivery, stolen vehicle assistance, remote vehicle diagnostics, 2GB hotspot data | 40 miles or nearest repair shop | Service limits vary by customer and state |
*These rates are to be used as an average and that the actual rates may vary depending on the information gathered during the quoting process.
If you don’t have an insurance company or what to get a quote on the best roadside coverage, request a quote with us. We’ve curated a list of the best insurance with roadside assistance and can pair you with your perfect provider.
For very little, roadside assistance insurance can give you so much peace of mind—and you may already have it included with your existing coverage!
It may be, though not all insurers provide this coverage. Call your provider to ask.
Fuel delivery, towing, locksmith and lock opening services, winching and extraction, flat tire service, and battery charging are the most common services provided with roadside coverage.
A single use is unlikely to affect your premium, but filing two or more roadside claims in a 12-month period can lead some insurers to raise your rate or decline to renew your policy. Standalone plans don’t carry this risk.
For most drivers, yes. Coverage typically costs $70–$180 a year, while a single tow can cost $99 or more out of pocket, and other services often run $75 or higher without coverage.
You can also get roadside assistance through a club like AAA, some premium credit cards, or your vehicle’s manufacturer, which often includes free coverage for the first three to five years of ownership.
An insurance add-on is usually cheaper but offers more limited service calls and towing distances, and repeated use can affect your insurance rate. A standalone membership costs more but typically includes more service calls, longer towing limits, and added perks, without affecting your auto insurance record.
Probably not right away. Many new vehicles include manufacturer-backed roadside assistance for the first three to five years, so check your owner’s manual before paying for separate coverage.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
