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RoadSide Assistance

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Key takeaways

  • Every year, about one out of every three drivers has vehicle trouble that necessitates roadside assistance.
  • From flat tires to towing to lockouts, roadside assistance insurance can cover a wide range of scenarios.
  • Roadside assistance coverage is available from a variety of sources, including car insurance providers, AAA, and your credit card company.
  • Having this coverage does not guarantee that you will not incur some out-of-pocket expenses.

What is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside Assistance (RSA) cover offers much-needed relief to car owners if their vehicle breaks down or has a mechanical failure on the road or at home. It can be very frustrating to be stranded in an unfamiliar place with no access to a mechanic. This is where the RSA cover comes in handy.

Some car insurance companies offer this protection as an inherent part of the comprehensive car insurance policy. Others offer it as an exclusive add-on insurance cover that can be opted for at the discretion of the car owner.

Possible rules and exclusions of Roadside Assistance

Coverage is mandatory: You will usually require collision and comprehensive coverage if you wish to acquire a roadside assistance rider via your auto insurance company. Roadside help is frequently an add-on bonus to your existing auto insurance policy.

Vehicle specific: Roadside assistance insurance is vehicle specific, meaning it only covers your vehicle. As a result, if you're driving your best friend's car and it breaks down, your insurance won't cover you.

Not only for cars: Roadside aid coverage is available for motorcycles, boats, and RVs.

A membership card is needed: You must usually present acceptable identification and/or your membership card to get emergency roadside assistance.

Choosing the right Roadside Assistance plan

You might be unsure which roadside assistance package is suitable for you because there are so many options. Of course, cost is crucial, but it should not be your only consideration. Roadside help plans come with a variety of coverage options and extra features to consider.


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How much does the plan cost?

Most insurance companies give Roadside Assistance cover to car owners at a low cost. The insurance company will estimate the cost and availability of the add-on cover based on the facts of each application. It is highly recommended for all car owners because it is a very beneficial add-on.

Provider Cost of Program
Statefarm  $5-$7 per policy period
USAA Not listed
Progressive $10-$18 per policy period
AARP $58-$74 per year
Way+ $7.95-$29.95/month (incl. towing, parking & car wash)

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What does the usual plan include?

Usual roadside assistance plans include standard services such as flat-tire service, towing service, battery jump-start service, lockout services, winching, fuel delivery etc,

Emergency Roadside Assistance Programs from car insurance companies

Roadside assistance is provided by several automobile insurance carriers including Way.com. While these programs differ by location and firm, the majority of them only apply to the vehicle and drivers named on the policy. Roadside help from a car insurance company is usually inexpensive.

Popular Roadside Assistance programs

Insurance Provider State Farm USAA Progressive
Emergency Jump Start Services Yes Yes Yes
Towing Yes Yes Within 15-mile radius
Emergency Fuel Services Yes Yes Yes
Vehicle Lockout Yes Yes Yes
Flat Tire Services Yes Yes Yes
Extrication/ Winching Services No No Yes
Labour/ Small Mechanical Repair No No Up to an hour

The Way+ Membership

Roadside Assistance is a part of the subscription service offered by Way.com. Named Way+, the membership package combines the exceptional services offered by way.com also including Car Parking and Car Wash apart from Roadside assistance.

Way.com’s Roadside Assistance gives you access to a network of 35,000 digitally connected tow trucks with real-time tracking.

Way+ comes with 3 subscription options. You can download the way app and easily choose the membership plan that suits your budget. Being a Way+ member gives you access to 10,000+ parking locations and 60,000+ Car washes.

How many claims for Roadside Assistance can you make a year?

While some policies allow unlimited service calls, most typically cover four claims per year. After then, you can usually still get assistance by paying a charge. However, if you file too many claims, certain carriers may refuse to renew your roadside assistance coverage.

Will this policy include other people?

Most membership groups will allow you to add family members for an extra price. Some cell phone plans cover whoever owns the enrolled device. If a friend borrows your enrolled cell phone and requires roadside help, the incident would be covered even if you weren't present.

Will multiple services claims impact your insurance rates?

Excessive claims on roadside assistance coverage purchased through your auto insurance company may affect your rates. Your prices are unlikely to rise if you just utilize the plan for unexpected emergencies. However, State Farm and Farmers representatives caution that a large number of emergency road claims could be classified as a risk, resulting in a rate hike.

If you have roadside help from a different source, such as AAA or a credit card business, your auto insurance premiums will not be affected.

How to get Roadside Assistance?

There are four easy ways to get roadside assistance.

  • Include it in your car insurance policy.
  • As a workplace benefit, you can get coverage.
  • Purchase a roadside assistance auto club membership.
  • Pay per use during an auto emergency.

How To Get Roadside Assistance?

If you want to buy a roadside assistance package, think carefully about where you want to buy it. We've listed a variety of options below to help you decide which approach is best for you.

Auto Insurance Company

Auto insurers typically provide roadside assistance as an optional coverage, but you may only be eligible provided you obtain comprehensive and accident insurance from them as well. Certain companies like State Farm have unlimited service coverage, while other auto insurance firms are willing to pay for only up to four incidents per year.  Although not all insurers provide roadside assistance, the ones that do include:

Farmers: Coverage costs with Farmers vary from state to state, with no fixed cap on the number of service calls. Some of the perks include towing services up to $150.

Erie: Roadside assistance coverage with Erie costs around $5 a year per vehicle and is only available if you have an Erie issued comprehensive insurance or crash insurance policy in place. Some of Erie's benefits include towing to the nearest garage station, plus 20 additional miles.

Allstate: You'll be able to add roadside assistance to your insurance policy starting at rates of $25 per vehicle per year. If you do not have an Allstate policy or prefer membership that requires extra benefits, there are two choices to choose from - these range from $80 to $140 a year. Depending on the membership type you choose, the policy will include three to five service calls a year. If you don't want to commit to a contract, Allstate has a pay-per-use option that starts at $120 per tow.

State Farm: Roadside assistance with State Farm costs around $10 a year per vehicle, and has no limits on the number of emergency service calls. State Farm also offers pay-per-incident coverage.

AAA and other similar organizations

Membership organizations such as AAA can be costlier than other roadside assistance options, but they come with advantages that you won't usually find with other roadside assistance offerings.

  • With organizations such as AAA or Better World Club, you can get emergency road benefits plus travel assistance and discounts on hotels, car rentals and movie tickets as well.
  • Both the AAA and the Better World Club offer various forms of membership. Better World Club, which focuses on environmentally friendly principles, costs under $60 a year for the standard package and under $100 for their premium plan.
  • AAA subscription rates vary depending on the level and venue, but prices can range from about $50 to more than $165 a year. These plans typically include four service calls a year but can differ depending on the organization and membership level chosen.
  • These companies allow you to add people who live in your household to your plan as well, for an extra fee.
  • AAA and Better World Club are not the only membership organizations to provide roadside assistance. For example, if you own a recreation vehicle and care more about camping discounts than travel, the Good Sam Club, which caters to RV owners, may be better suited to you. Good Sam provides auto-only coverage at under $50 a year, with auto and RV packages ranging from $65 to $120.

Vehicle manufacturers

You could also get access to free roadside assistance coverage if you have recently purchased a new car. Some car manufacturers automatically include this when you purchase a new car. This coverage is typically limited to a number of years or miles. 

Some car manufacturers allow for certified pre-owned vehicles to be granted two years of free coverage when the original coverage expires or when the certified pre-owned vehicle is sold.

Cell phone providers

Some mobile phone providers, including Verizon and AT & T, are now offering emergency road service coverage.

Verizon's coverage costs $3 a month per phone line for four claims a year. The overall gain for an incident varies depending on the service given. For example, a winch is given up to a service limit of $100. If you're a Verizon client, but you don't have an emergency roadside plan, you'll pay under $90 per incident. 

AT & T charges $2.99 a month for service, and the first month is free of charge. You are limited to four service incidents a year, up to a maximum profit of $75 per incident.

Both these companies offer roadside assistance through Signature Motor Club, a subsidiary of Allstate, and encourage anybody to use this service if they have a licensed and registered cell phone with them at the time of need.

Credit card companies

You could already have access to roadside assistance if you have a Mastercard or Visa credit card. Some of these cards have pay-per-incident coverage, which ensures that you will pay each time you use the service, but nothing will be paid if you never use the advantage.

There is no monthly or annual charge for this form of roadside assistance, although there may be an annual fee for the credit card itself. 

Visa and Mastercard provide roadside dispatch at various rates depending on the particular card you have. For example, Visa Signature Credit Cards usually charge $69.95 per incident, with no limit to how many times you use it.

List of Credit Card Companies that give Roadside Assistance

Company CARDS THAT OFFER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FEE TYPE OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE OFFERED COVERAGE LIMITS
Visa All Visa cards You pay a set rate per service call Standard towing: Up to 5 miles included, Tire changing: You must have good, inflated spare tire, Jump starting, Lockout service (no key replacement), Fuel delivery: Up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel), Standard winching No limit on usage
Mastercard All Mastercard Cards Fees for services are pre-negotiated. Road service fees will be automatically billed to your World MasterCard account Jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes Emergency road service is not available in areas not regularly traveled, in “off road” areas not accessible by ordinary towing vehicles, or for over one-ton capacity trailers, campers or vehicles-in-tow
American Express All American Express Cards Flat fee of $59.95 per service call,   24-Hour Emergency Towing service, Replacement of a flat tire with the replacement spare tire, Delivery of fuel or other standard fluids (cost of the fuel or the fluids is not included), Lockout service (no key replacement), Jump start a dead or weakened battery.
Discover All Discover Visa cards offer roadside assistance through Visa You pay a set rate per service call Standard towing: Up to 5 miles included, Tire changing: You must have good, inflated spare tire, Jump starting, Lockout service (no key replacement), Fuel delivery: Up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel), Standard winching No limit on usage
Bank Issuers
Bank of America All Bank of America Visa cards You pay a set rate per service call Standard towing: Up to 5 miles included, Tire changing: You must have good, inflated spare tire, Jump starting, Lockout service (no key replacement), Fuel delivery: Up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel), Standard winching No limit on usage
  Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card $95/yr Emergency roadside assistance, locksmith services, towing, and more Coverage is complimentary, but you pay a set rate for services
Capital One Many Capital One cards offer roadside assistance through Visa or Mastercard    
  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   Tire Changing, Jump Starting, Standard Towing (up to 5 miles included), Lockout Service (no key replacement), Fuel Delivery (up to 5 gallons), Standard Winching There is a fee of $69.95 for roadside assistance, and the cardholder is only responsible for uncovered services.
Chase All Chase Visa and Master cards offer some form of roadside assistance    
  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card $95/yr Towing, jump-starting, tire changing, fuel delivery, lockout service, and more Coverage is complimentary, but you pay a set rate for services
  Chase Slate $0 Towing – up to 5 miles, Lockout service (no key replacement), Jump starting – battery boost, Fuel delivery – up to 5 gallons (cost of fuel not included), Winching (within 100 feet of paved or county-maintained road only) eligible Chase card Rates apply to vehicles up to one-ton gross vehicle weight only. Emergency road service is not available in areas not regularly traveled, in “off-road” areas not accessible by ordinary towing vehicles.
  Chase Freedom Unlimited® $0 Towing, tire changing, jump-starting, lockout service, fuel delivery and more Coverage is complimentary, but you pay a set rate for services
  Chase Sapphire Reserve® $550/yr Towing, tire changing, lockout service, jump-starting, fuel delivery and more Covered up to $50 per service event, up to 4 events per year
Citibank        
  Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi $0 with your Costco membership Towing, duel delivery, battery charging, and more Coverage is complimentary, but you pay a set rate for services
Wells Fargo All Wells Fargo Visa cards You pay a set rate per service call Standard towing: Up to 5 miles included, Tire changing: You must have good, inflated spare tire, Jump starting, Lockout service (no key replacement), Fuel delivery: Up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel), Standard winching No limit on usage
U.S. Bank All U.S. Bank Visa cards You pay a set rate per service call Standard towing: Up to 5 miles included, Tire changing: You must have good, inflated spare tire, Jump starting, Lockout service (no key replacement), Fuel delivery: Up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel), Standard winching No limit on usage

Best Credit Cards that give Roadside Assistance

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: The best way to earn flexible travel rewards is with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the top rewards cards available right now. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and bill credits, as well as for booking travel through Chase or 1:1 point transfers to Chase airline and lodging partners. When you use this card's points to book travel through the Chase gateway, you'll get a 25% bonus on your rewards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited is the best way to get cash back.

Because you may get 5% back on travel booked through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore expenditures, and 1.5 percent back on all other transactions, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the most attractive cashback credit cards on the market today.

New cardholders can earn a 15-month 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (followed by a variable APR ranging from 15.24% to 23.99%), which can help them save money on interest while paying off a significant purchase or consolidating debt from other cards.

This card offers additional benefits in addition to roadside assistance, such as auto rental coverage and trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card.

Existing Bank of America customers who are members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program might consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. Members of this programme can earn an extra 25% to 75% more rewards for each dollar they spend if they achieve the minimum balance requirements for qualifying accounts.

This card includes trip delay compensation, luggage delay coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and a slew of other benefits in addition to roadside assistance.

Is it necessary to get Roadside Assistance?

This is dependent on the age of your car, how far you normally drive, and how important convenience is to you. Roadside assistance is provided by a number of motor insurance companies, auto clubs, credit card issuers, and car manufacturers.  Here's how we determine whether the advantages are worthwhile:

Vehicle age: If you have an older vehicle, roadside help may be a worthwhile purchase.

Convenience: If you value convenience, we believe that adding a roadside assistance program to your auto insurance coverage will be beneficial. You won't have to research which service provider is suitable for your requirements. This is especially beneficial if you're stuck late at night or in bad weather.

Costs: Roadside assistance programs negotiate pricing with service providers and pass the savings on to members, potentially saving you money. Many roadside help members use the service on a regular basis.

Free roadside assistance: If you already have free roadside help, you should take advantage of it. Some credit card companies and automobile manufacturers offer complimentary services, albeit some restrictions may apply.

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Best Roadside Assistance Coverage options

We offer you some of the best road trip assistance coverage options

Path Finder Trip Routing Service: Tips and maps on locations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are made available to the customers.

Trip Interruption: If your car is inoperable as a consequence of an accident, you will be compensated for our travel expenditures up to $1,500. To be qualified, you must be more than 100 miles from home.

Auto theft reward: If your vehicle is stolen, this will pay a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of the criminal.

Legal Defense Reimbursement: If you are taken to court for a traffic infringement, our service will defend you. There are several limitations.

Hospital Emergency Bond: If you're injured more than 100 miles away from home and need to provide proof of financial responsibility at a hospital, you'll need to post an emergency bond.

Arrest Bond Certificate: An AARP variant of a "get out of jail free card," the Arrest Bond Certificate. You can use this coverage as a jail bond if you're arrested for a driving-related infraction (but not DUI/DWI). Up to $1,000.

RV Roadside Coverage: This coverage is available for $24 per year and includes two additional service calls.

Will you have Coverage if you're not in a car that's your own?

While insurance companies and car manufacturers often give services based on the vehicle, membership organizations like AAA provide coverage for individuals. This means you can request assistance if your friend's car breaks down while you're riding a shotgun.

What makes Roadside Assistance different from other coverages?

Roadside assistance is not the same as other types of coverage available through a car insurance policy or a manufacturer's warranty. Basic car insurance often just covers the cost of fixing damage caused by accidents. Emergency assistance is usually not included. Flat tires and empty gas tanks are not covered by warranties, with a few exceptions.

You can typically purchase a roadside assistance plan as an add-on to your current service through your insurance provider or your vehicle's manufacturer. When you bundle roadside assistance with numerous services from the same supplier, you will benefit from convenience and potential cost savings. Simply browse around before committing to a plan to ensure you get the best price and service.

How to get Roadside Assistance with Way.com?

Getting Roadside Assistance with Way.com is simple. You just need to install the way app and choose one of the plans. In addition to Roadside Assistance, you can enjoy Car Wash and Car Parking services.

 

INSURANCE AGENT EXPERTS

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Principal

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Anthony Luu

Anthony Luu

Sr. Director of Insurance Operations

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Ezra Peterson

Ezra Peterson

Sr. Director of Insurance

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Danny Herrera

Danny Herrera

Head of Commercial Insurance

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Auto Insurance Data Methodology

The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of research completed by Way.com’s data team. Using a mix of public and internal data, we analyzed millions of rate averages across U.S. ZIP codes.

Quotes are typically based on a full coverage policy average unless otherwise noted within the content.

These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes will differ. Given this, it’s important to go through our insurance steps form to find how much you can save with way.com

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