How do I use my roadside assistance benefit?

To use your roadside assistance benefit, call the number on your insurance card or app, provide your location and a description of the problem, and wait for the dispatched service provider. Have your policy number handy.

What is the difference between towing coverage on my policy and roadside assistance towing?

Policy towing coverage reimburses a tow following a covered claim. Roadside assistance towing is a separate benefit that covers non-accident situations like breakdowns, dead batteries, or lockouts, often without requiring a claim.

Does roadside assistance cover a vehicle lockout?

Yes. Lockout service is a standard benefit in most roadside assistance programs. If you lock your keys inside your vehicle, a service technician is dispatched to unlock the car using professional tools.

Does roadside assistance cover a dead car battery?

Yes. Battery jump-start service is one of the most common benefits included in roadside assistance programs. A service technician is dispatched to your location to restart your vehicle at no additional cost per call.

What towing distance does roadside assistance typically cover?

Most roadside assistance programs cover towing to the nearest qualified repair facility, with mileage limits that commonly range from 10 to 100 miles depending on the plan.

Auto FAQs

What does roadside assistance cover?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Roadside assistance typically covers towing to a nearby repair shop, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery when you run out of gas, and lockout service. Coverage specifics and mileage limits vary by policy.

What does roadside assistance cover?

Roadside assistance covers the common breakdowns and mishaps that leave you stranded, dispatching help to your location so you can get back on the road or reach a repair shop. It is designed for the everyday problems that are not accidents but still ruin your day.

Typical roadside assistance includes:

Towing. Tows your disabled vehicle to a repair shop, usually up to a set number of miles.
Battery jump-start. Gets you moving after a dead battery.
Flat tire change. Swaps your flat for your spare.
Fuel delivery. Brings enough gas to reach a station if you run out.
Lockout service. Assists when your keys are locked inside the vehicle.
Winching. Pulls your car out if it is stuck in a ditch or mud nearby.

What does roadside assistance not pay for?

Roadside assistance pays for the service call, not the underlying repair. If your battery is dead, it covers the jump-start, but you still buy the new battery. Most plans cover the fuel delivery service but not the cost of the gas itself. Towing is usually limited to a set mileage, so a long haul to a dealership may carry an additional charge past that limit.

For example, a driver on I-75 near Macon gets a flat tire with no usable spare. Roadside assistance dispatches a tow truck that hauls the car 20 miles to a tire shop at no out-of-pocket cost, saving what would have been a $150 tow bill and hours of waiting. That single event can pay for a full year of coverage.

How does roadside assistance relate to your auto insurance policy?

Roadside assistance is typically an optional add-on to an auto insurance policy, often added as an endorsement or through a separate membership plan. Some insurers include it at no additional cost; others offer it for a few dollars added to your premium. It is separate from collision or liability coverage and does not involve a deductible when you use it. If you are also reviewing your required auto coverages, see our guide on Georgia auto minimum limits.

How much does roadside assistance typically cost to add?

Roadside assistance is one of the lower-cost add-ons available on most personal auto policies. A single tow in metro Atlanta commonly runs $75 to $150 before mileage charges. A lockout service call typically runs $50 to $100. For drivers who commute regularly or travel long distances, a single use can recover the annual cost of the add-on several times over.

For example, a family in Atlanta uses roadside service twice in one year, once for a dead battery and once for a lockout. The two service calls recover roughly eight times what the annual add-on cost them. Questions about how an advisor selects coverage for a specific driver are answered in our overview of how carriers are selected. For a broader look at personal coverage options, see specialty personal insurance options at Olive Cover.

Check your current policy’s declarations page to see whether roadside assistance is already included. Many drivers pay for it through an auto club membership and through their insurer at the same time without realizing it. A free coverage review can confirm what is already on a policy and identify any duplicates.