Roadside Assistance Coverage in 2025

Roadside assistance coverage typically costs $6 to $15 per month and is available with all types of auto insurance, with support tailored to your coverage, driving habits, and vehicle.

Explore a variety of coverage options, from basic to comprehensive, with 24/7 technician access and increased towing and trip interruption benefits. Knowing what’s covered allows you to choose the plan best suited to your budget and desired peace of mind.

Insure your vehicle from everything the road can throw at it by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool for cheap auto insurance quotes.

Roadside Assistance Coverage Explained

Roadside assistance offers fast help for common problems like a dead battery or flat tire to help you get the vehicle back on the road without having to take it in for a full repair.

Many plans are available via mobile app, 24/7 phone hotline, or your insurance provider’s website, so you always know that help is within easy access.

Roadside Assistance Coverage Details

Standard core services tend to include battery jumpstarts, flat tire changes (using your spare), fuel delivery (usually 2 to 3 gallons to get you to the nearest gas station), and lockout service for when you’re locked out of your car.

Towing is another major feature, most covering 5 to 25 miles to the closest qualified repair facility. Most standard features are included in all plans, though there can be limits depending on your provider and plan tier.

Vehicle recovery is added to most roadside assistance plans for the extra tough cases. This includes extracting a vehicle from snow, mud, or a ditch, with the use of one service truck and up to 20 feet of winch line.

While less common than other services, recovery assistance is considered essential in many auto insurance guide recommendations, especially for drivers in rural areas or during the winter months.

Understanding Roadside Assistance Coverage Tiers

Roadside assistance comes in tiers, offering different kinds of towing, lockout help, fuel drop-offs, and trash removal. The more expensive tiers offer increased coverage, so the right plan for you depends on your driving habits and car reliability.

Basic coverage provides 5-10 miles of towing, a $50 lockout limit, 2 gallons of fuel, and limited recovery for the local driver. Standard coverage comes with 20-50 miles of towing, a $75 per month lockout benefit, which makes this our pick for commuters.

Roadside Assistance Service Limits by Tier

Premium plans offer 100-mile towing, $100 per month lockout coverage, unlimited fuel, and enhanced recovery, suited for long-distance drivers. Elite plans include over 200 miles of towing, unlimited assistance, and full recovery services.

Roadside assistance levels vary based on driving needs. Basic plans are for local drivers, and premium plans cover out-of-town or country drives. Use how to compare auto insurance companies to find the best match.

How Much It Costs to Add Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is very budget-friendly when you add it to auto insurance, and in most cases, your monthly cost will be between $6 and $15, but the price will depend on the company issuing your policy and how much coverage you carry.

These add-ons typically include services such as towing, flat tire changes, battery jumpstarts, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance, though towing mileage limits and service networks vary (Read More: Allstate vs. Geico Auto Insurance Review).

Roadside Assistance Monthly Rates by Provider

At the low end, Erie offers budget-friendly roadside assistance at $6 per month with 10–15 miles of towing. These plans will work for drivers who want dependable coverage with a modest increase in premium.

Liberty Mutual and Nationwide charge around $9 per month for 15–25 miles of towing. State Farm offers basic towing to the nearest shop for $10 per month, while Farmers provides more flexible coverage for $12 per month.

These rates offer a range of options that are relatively less costly depending on how much they drive, the average amount of mileage, and their level of comfort with little or extended coverage.

Budget plans work well for local driving, while premium options like AAA or Allstate are better for frequent travelers or rural drivers. Compare coverage, limits, and pricing to find the best plan for your needs.

Compare Roadside Assistance vs. Emergency Service Costs

Roadside assistance provides broader and cheaper coverage, even if roadside assistance customer service offerings, such as towing, can run $150 a month, plus miss basics like jumpstarts.

Highway patrol offers free safety checks but no towing or repairs, making emergency roadside assistance essential. Mobile services can cost $120, while a $15 monthly plan covers common issues at a much lower rate than the average cost of auto insurance.

Roadside Assistance vs. Emergency Services: Coverage & Cost

Roadside assistance plans are the solution for drivers who want freedom from surprise auto expenses and fines when roadside mishaps occur, such as unexpected delays.

These plans make it easier to get help in emergencies, especially in remote areas or after hours. A monthly plan is a simple, cost-effective way to handle common vehicle issues.

Roadside Assistance Plans & Prices Vary by State

Roadside assistance costs in a monthly plan may vary widely, depending on your location, because of differences in insurance laws, cost of living, availability of service, and provider networks.

In Idaho, plans fall between $12 and $29 per month bundled with full coverage auto insurance, which helps demonstrate how pricing can be affected not only by the coverage type you are buying but also by service costs in your area.

Texas has higher rates, with basic plans starting at $41 and premium options reaching $59 per month. These include more towing miles, additional service calls, and quicker response times, which are helpful in large or rural areas.

Roadside assistance varies by state, making it important to compare by ZIP code. Costs may be lower in urban areas but higher in rural areas. Combine the coverage area, service area, and response time to find the best fit for your budget.

Different Types of Roadside Assistance

Not all roadside assistance plans are tied to your auto insurance. Membership-based services like AAA and Good Sam offer roadside support independently and don’t require any specific insurance coverage.

These are great options for drivers with basic liability or no insurance who still need services like flat tire changes, jumpstarts, and fuel delivery. Some plans even come with benefits like hotel discounts or unlimited towing, while Good Sam is especially great for RVs.

Roadside Assistance: Insurance Add-Ons vs. Memberships

Most insurance companies require drivers to carry at least one form of physical damage coverage, such as collision vs. comprehensive auto insurance, before allowing roadside assistance to be added to a policy.

This prerequisite ensures the vehicle is already covered against particular forms of loss, such as accidents, theft, or weather-related damage, before other services, such as towing, lockout assistance, or jump starts, are added in.

Cell phone carriers like Verizon and AT&T offer roadside assistance as a mobile plan add-on, usually under $5 per month, with services like towing, jumpstarts, and lockout help.

That’s an easy option for drivers who carry minimum liability and don’t want to switch insurance coverage or become full members.

A few state insurance or transportation departments also provide low-cost or free roadside assistance on major highways. The programs vary by state and are typically limited in scope, yet they can provide a helpful backup for drivers left stranded.

Services and availability vary, so it’s best to check with your state’s DOT or insurance department site.

How to File Roadside Assistance Claims

Being prepared to file a roadside assistance claim is valuable knowledge. Whether you have a flat tire, a dead battery, or are locked out of your car, knowing what to do can save precious time and offer peace of mind that help is on the way.

Most companies have 24/7 support through mobile apps, websites, or hotlines so you can ask for help on the spot.

• Contact Your Provider: Call the provider’s app, website, or round-the-clock hotline to ask for roadside assistance. Provide your location or a brief description of the issue, such as “flat tire” or “dead battery.”
• Confirm Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): Your provider should provide you with an ETA and update you on the status via text or app notifications.
• Stay Safe While Waiting: Pull over to a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and, if possible, wait inside the car for assistance.
• Keep Your Receipts: When service is completed, take a receipt if your plan requires reimbursement.

It’s all about being ready for a breakdown. If you follow these steps and keep your roadside provider’s phone number with you, you can reduce the time it takes to get help and make emergencies less stressful.

Review your policy details in advance so you know exactly what’s covered and refer to how to file an auto insurance claim & win to understand the steps for filing a claim when the time comes.

Common Roadside Assistance Claims

Some roadside problems are much more frequent than others. The data on claims shows jumpstarts lead at 28%.

Flat tires, towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and ditch or snow recovery are the other most common types of roadside assistance claims.

Response times are important after a roadside claim, especially if you’re stranded on a busy highway or stuck in bad weather. AAA and automaker plans are typically fastest, averaging 30–60 minutes (Learn More: AAA Auto Insurance Review).

AAA and automaker roadside assistance programs typically offer the fastest response times, averaging 30 to 60 minutes, thanks to large networks and efficient dispatch systems.

Roadside Assistance Response Time Comparison

Response times can be influenced by factors such as network connectivity, dispatch systems, and whether the service is delivered directly or through third parties.

Factory-built roadside plans provided by automakers often tie directly to national service centers designed for efficiency and coverage.

Find the Right Roadside Assistance Coverage

Roadside assistance coverage starts at $6 per month and covers common issues like flat tires and dead batteries. Erie is the cheapest, with Geico and Travelers at $7–$8 per month.

AAA and Allstate provide more comprehensive plans at $13 to $15 per month with added benefits that often go beyond what’s included in standard comprehensive auto insurance. Good Sam offers RV owners unlimited towing for just $12 a month.

Some companies stand out more than others, not only in price but also in the services they offer. Allstate offers 24/7 nationwide towing and trip coverage, AAA adds perks like identity theft protection and travel discounts, and Erie offers inexpensive coverage.

Some drivers may also receive free roadside assistance through new-car warranties, credit cards, or automaker programs, though these often have limitations. Enter your ZIP code in our free tool to see how much roadside assistance costs near you.