Roadside assistance is one of the most popular insurance add-ons. According to a report from Towards Automotive, the global roadside assistance market is expected to reach nearly $42 billion by 2031.
Roadside assistance provides vehicle services if you get stranded, like flat tire changes, battery replacements and fuel delivery. Most plans also cover towing up to a certain distance. Many car insurance providers offer roadside assistance as an endorsement to your car insurance policy. You can also get roadside assistance through third-party companies like AAA.
Pros and cons of roadside assistance through your insurance company
Pros
- Easy to add to your auto insurance policy
- Usually cheaper than third-party plans
Cons
- Offers fewer perks than an AAA membership
- Coverage might not transfer between vehicles
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance connects you with services if your car breaks down or you get stranded. A technician will come to your location, assess the situation and make your car driveable again. If the car can’t be repaired, most plans will pay to tow it.
“You can think of roadside assistance as having a safety net for your car. Just imagine yourself stuck on the road at night with a flat tire or dead battery. It can be overwhelming, especially if you’re far from home. This is where roadside assistance comes into the picture. You’ll get the help you need quickly so you can be on your way,” says Nick Schrader, owner of Texas General Insurance in Houston.
Here’s what is typically covered under a standard roadside assistance plan:
- Towing
- Winching
- Battery jumpstarts
- Flat tire changes
- Lockout services
- Fuel delivery
Whether you purchase roadside assistance through your insurer or a third party, you typically get a certain number of calls per year. If you exceed the limit, you’ll have to pay for the service out of pocket. Most roadside repairs are free, like flat tire changes (if you have a spare). But if you need fuel delivered, you will likely pay for the cost of gas.
Which insurance companies offer roadside assistance?
Most car insurance carriers offer roadside assistance as a policy endorsement. You can add an emergency roadside plan to your policy for a few extra dollars annually. Here are some of the biggest insurance companies with roadside assistance:
- Nationwide: Nationwide offers two 24/7 roadside plans, Basic and Plus. The Basic plan provides roadside services, including 15 miles of towing. The Plus plan covers the same services but includes 100 miles of towing and trip interruption coverage.
- Geico: Geico’s Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) plan costs as little as $14 per year. You can call for help 24/7 through the Geico mobile app, and the service tracker shows how far the technician is from your location.
- Progressive: Policyholders can get roadside assistance coverage through Agero, a third-party company. Plans include essential services, including 15 miles of towing and charging for electric cars. Drivers can add trip interruption coverage for an additional fee.
- State Farm: State Farm’s 24/7 emergency roadside assistance covers services like towing, flat tire changes, fuel and oil delivery and lockouts. The plan also pays for one hour of mechanical labor for battery replacements, electrical problems, transmission issues, fluid leaks and more.
- Allstate: Allstate offers three roadside service plans. Its membership plan is available to customers who aren’t policyholders and starts at $73 per year. The pay-per-use plan is also available to non-policyholders, starting at $154 per tow. For Allstate policyholders, the roadside assistance add-on costs $25 per vehicle.
- USAA: USAA insures military members and their families and offers roadside assistance as a policy add-on. Even if you don’t have roadside coverage on your policy, you can still call for help through USAA. The company negotiates special roadside service rates for customers, so you’ll pay less than if you called a tow truck directly.
- Travelers: Travelers offers two 24/7 roadside plans. The Standard roadside assistance plan covers all the usual services with up to 15 miles of towing. The Premier plan covers the same services, plus 100 miles of towing, trip interruption coverage and $500 in coverage for personal items that get damaged or stolen as part of a collision or comprehensive insurance claim.
How much does roadside assistance cost?
If you purchase roadside assistance through your car insurance company, the average cost typically ranges between $10 and $80 annually. That cost depends on several factors, including the type of coverage, your driving history and your vehicle type and age.
Roadside assistance through insurance vs. AAA: Which is better?
If you want roadside assistance, you must decide whether you want coverage through your insurance company or an organization like AAA. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at how roadside assistance through an insurer vs. AAA differs in cost and coverage.
Cost comparison: Insurance vs. AAA
Roadside assistance through an insurance company is sold as an add-on to your car insurance policy. You’ll pay a small fee on top of your premium. AAA roadside insurance is a standalone plan with an annual fee.
In general, AAA roadside assistance is more expensive than insurance add-ons. In most locations, AAA’s lowest-cost plan is $64.99 per year. The company also sells more expensive plans that include additional services, longer towing distances and other perks.
To compare, Geico’s insurance add-on starts at $14 per year, and Allstate’s roadside endorsement costs $25 per vehicle.
Insurance vs. AAA coverage differences
When comparing insurance-based roadside assistance vs. AAA, it’s essential to understand that most plans only provide a limited number of service calls yearly. For example, standard AAA memberships include four service calls each year. Allstate provides five service calls with its roadside assistance plans. After you reach the limit, you’ll pay a fee each time you call for help.
There are also service limits for roadside assistance plans, especially regarding towing. AAA’s basic plan covers five miles of towing, but its Premier plan provides up to 200 miles. Most car insurance companies offer 15 miles of towing with a basic plan and up to 100 miles with higher-tier plans.
Perks of AAA membership
One of AAA’s biggest draws is its perks. Members can access benefits like travel planning, hotel and entertainment discounts, notary services and identity theft monitoring. Its higher-level plans include savings on car rentals, windshield repair discounts, worldwide travel accident insurance, lost baggage coverage and trip interruption coverage. While some auto insurance roadside assistance plans provide similar non-vehicle services, AAA offers a much bigger selection.
The most common benefit of insurer roadside assistance policies is trip-interruption coverage, which pays for a rental car, hotel and restaurant meals if your car breaks down more than 100 miles from home.
When insurance-based roadside assistance makes more sense
If you’re looking for cheap roadside assistance, an insurance-based plan probably makes the most sense. Roadside assistance add-ons are budget-friendly and provide the peace of mind you want.
“Insurance-based emergency roadside assistance is a good option for almost any driver, but especially for people who don’t need the extra perks of AAA that typically come with a high price tag,” Shrader says.
While AAA’s plans offer more comprehensive member benefits, they are also much more expensive than insurance-based options.
How to add roadside assistance to your auto insurance policy
Adding roadside assistance to your insurance policy is simple. Depending on your insurer, you can add roadside coverage through your online customer account or by calling the company.
You’ll need to choose which plan you want (if there are multiple options) and provide some information about your vehicle. Make sure to find out what services are included, what you’ll pay for out-of-pocket assistance, how much towing is included and how many service calls you can make.
The best roadside assistance plan will provide the coverage you need at the most affordable price. For example, if you drive an older vehicle at risk of breaking down, you might benefit from a plan with 100 miles of towing instead of 15 miles. However, the lowest-tier plan might be sufficient if you just want the cheapest plan and don’t need the most benefits.
Frequently asked questions
What does roadside assistance cover?
Roadside assistance plans typically cover towing, fuel delivery, battery replacements, battery jumpstarts, lockout services and winching. However, some plans provide more benefits, like trip interruption coverage if you get stranded far from home.
Is roadside assistance worth adding to my insurance?
Roadside assistance can be worth adding to your car insurance policy. It provides peace of mind if your car breaks down or you get stranded. Additionally, insurance-based roadside assistance is more affordable than AAA plans.
How many times can I use roadside assistance in a year?
Most roadside assistance plans include four or five service calls per year. If you exceed the limit, you can continue to use your plan, but you’ll get charged for each subsequent service call.
Does filing a roadside assistance claim increase premiums?
Calling roadside assistance typically isn’t considered a claim (like an accident), so it shouldn’t increase your premium. However, remember that most insurers cap the number of roadside assistance calls you can make during the policy period.
Can I use roadside assistance if I’m not driving my car?
It depends. If you have AAA or another third-party roadside assistance plan, you can call for help if you drive someone else’s car. In this case, the plan follows the person, not the driver. But if you have insurance-based roadside assistance, the plan only covers the vehicle, so it can’t be used if you’re driving a car that’s not your own.
What happens if I need roadside assistance and don’t have coverage?
Call your car insurance company if your car breaks down and you don’t have coverage. Some insurers, including State Farm and USAA, negotiate lower fees for emergency vehicle services and can dispatch a technician to your location. Otherwise, you can contact a local towing company.
Final thoughts
Roadside assistance provides peace of mind if your car breaks down and is usually cheaper than calling a towing company.
If you’re considering getting roadside assistance, it’s a good idea to compare insurance-based options and third-party providers like AAA. When researching options, consider the plan cost, services covered, number of service calls per year and extra member benefits.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- AAA. “How Much Does AAA Membership Cost? Compare Plans.” Accessed April 2025.
- AAA. “AAA Premier Membership Benefits, Cost and Coverage.” Accessed April 2025.
- Globe Newswire. “Vehicle Roadside Assistance Market Size Expected to Reach USD 43.60 Bn by 2032.” Accessed April 2025.
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