Roadside assistance coverage on your auto insurance pays for emergency services when your vehicle breaks down or becomes disabled. It covers towing, jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and fuel delivery — the kind of help you need when you are stranded on the side of the road.
Roadside assistance through your auto insurer works similarly to a standalone membership like AAA, but it is typically cheaper — often just $10 to $30 per year per vehicle. The trade-off is that insurer-based roadside assistance may have lower service limits than premium standalone memberships. Some standalone memberships also offer trip planning, travel discounts, and other perks that insurance-based coverage does not.
For most drivers, yes. The cost is minimal, and a single tow can easily exceed $100 to $200 without coverage. If you drive an older or less reliable vehicle, if you commute long distances, or if you frequently drive in remote areas, roadside assistance is especially valuable. Even newer vehicles with manufacturer roadside assistance eventually age out of that coverage.
At a few dollars per month, roadside assistance is one of the easiest coverage decisions on your policy. At Truscott, we include it in our coverage recommendations for most clients. Request a Truscott policy checkup and we will make sure this small but valuable coverage is in place.
Learn whether your car insurance covers vehicle theft, what comprehensive coverage pays for, and what to do if your car is stolen.
Auto InsuranceFind out whether your car insurance covers windshield cracks and chips, which coverage applies, and whether you will pay a deductible.