Do I Have Roadside Assistance?

Where to check

Review your auto policy declarations page for coverage labeled "Towing and Labor" or "Emergency Roadside Service," typically with per-occurrence limits like "$100 per call, up to 3 or 4 calls per year."

1. 1
   Find your declarations page

   Your dec page lists all the coverages you pay for. Look for "Roadside Assistance," "Emergency Road Service," or "Towing and Labor" in the coverage list.

2. 2
   Check your carrier's app or website

   Most carriers have a mobile app where you can view your current coverages. If roadside is listed, it will show a benefit amount or number of uses.

3. 3
   Call your carrier or agent

   If you can't find your dec page, call the carrier's service line or us. We can pull your policy details in minutes.

What auto-policy roadside covers

Main coverages include towing to the nearest repair shop, roadside labor (flat changes, battery jumps, fuel delivery), and sometimes lockout service. It excludes repair costs, parts, and fuel itself in most cases.

• Towing to the nearest repair facility (often up to a set dollar amount)
• Lockout service (locked keys in car)
• Jump start for a dead battery
• Flat tire change (using your spare)
• Fuel delivery for an empty tank

Vehicle clubs versus insurance roadside

Membership-based clubs like AAA offer higher per-call limits, broader coverage (any vehicle you drive, not just yours), and annual billing. They work differently from insurance-tied roadside services.

• Auto policy roadside: $5 to $20 per vehicle per six-month policy term.
• Vehicle club memberships: $60 to $150 per year.
• Some credit cards include roadside as a complimentary benefit.

Example

You add roadside to a two-car auto policy. At roughly $5 to $20 per vehicle per six-month term, you are paying on the order of $20 to $80 a year across both cars, generally less than a single AAA membership at $60 to $150 per year. The trade-off: insurance roadside is tied to the specific vehicles on your policy, while a club membership follows you into any vehicle you drive.

Should you add it

Roadside assistance is more commonly added on older vehicles, by drivers who commute long distances in rural areas, or by those without existing vehicle club or credit card coverage; whether it fits your situation is something a coverage review can weigh.

A common gotcha

Some roadside policies only cover the vehicle, not the driver, creating coverage gaps when you are driving someone else's vehicle. If you frequently drive cars that aren't on your policy, a club membership that follows the driver may close that gap.

The one thing to know about using roadside

Roadside assistance is handled as a service call rather than a formal property claim, so a minor roadside issue typically does not go through the property claims process. Using roadside assistance is separate from your claims record and typically won't raise your rates. Filing a property claim for a tow, when you have roadside coverage, is unnecessary and can affect your loss history.

How to add roadside if you don't have it

Auto-policy roadside endorsements typically run $5 to $20 per vehicle per six-month policy term. You can add it mid-policy. Send us your dec page and we'll verify what you have and quote the add-on if needed.