Should I Get Roadside Assistance Through My Insurance
It's usually worth adding if you don't already have coverage somewhere else, and it's rarely worth paying for twice.
Add it if you have no other coverage, skip it if you're already covered elsewhere
Roadside assistance through your insurer is worth having if you don't already have it through another source. Added to a policy, it's usually a small amount on top of your premium, and it covers towing, a jump start, a lockout, or a flat tire without you having to pay out of pocket at the time.
The only reason to think twice is if you're already paying for the same thing somewhere else. Some car warranties include roadside help for a set number of years. Some credit cards include it if you use that card to pay for the tow. Some auto clubs sell it on their own. Check what you already have before you add another version of it through your insurer.
What you're already covered for changes the answer
Look at your car's warranty first, if the car is still within it. Many new cars come with roadside assistance built in for a number of years, and it covers the same things your insurer would offer: towing, lockouts, a dead battery. If your car still has this, adding it to your insurance policy means paying for something you already have.
Check your credit card next. Several cards that charge an annual fee include roadside assistance as a built-in benefit. It's often listed in the card's benefits guide, not advertised when you sign up, so it's worth calling the number on the back of the card and asking directly.
If you already belong to an auto club, that membership usually includes roadside service on its own, separate from any insurance policy. Compare what the club covers against what your insurer is offering before you decide you need both.
If none of these apply to you, adding it through your insurer is usually the simplest way to get the coverage, since it's billed with a policy you're already paying for rather than a separate membership to track.
What roadside assistance through insurance actually covers
Roadside assistance added to a car insurance policy typically covers a short list of situations: a dead battery, a flat tire, running out of fuel, being locked out, or needing a tow to the nearest repair shop. It's meant for getting the car moving again or getting it somewhere safe, not for repairs.
It won't cover the cost of a new battery, new tire, or whatever repair the car actually needs once it gets to the shop. It also usually has a limit on how many times you can use it in a year, and a limit on how far a tow will go before you start paying the difference. Ask your insurer what the limits are before you count on it.
If you drive an older car, or drive long distances regularly, read the tow distance limit closely. A short tow radius might not get you to a shop you trust if you break down somewhere unfamiliar.
Questions people ask about this
Does roadside assistance cover a car that won't start because of a mechanical problem?
It usually covers getting the car towed, but not fixing what's actually wrong. If the issue is a dead battery, many plans include a jump start on the spot. If it's something mechanical, the plan typically pays for the tow and the repair shop handles the rest, billed separately.
Can I use roadside assistance if someone else is driving my car?
In most cases coverage is tied to the vehicle, not the driver, so whoever is driving your insured car can usually call for help. Check with your insurer directly, since this can vary by policy.
Will using roadside assistance raise my insurance premium?
Calling for a tow or a jump start is not the same as filing a claim for an accident, and in most cases it does not affect your premium the way an at-fault claim would. Ask your insurer how they treat roadside calls specifically, since practices can differ.
What happens if I need a tow and don't have roadside assistance at all?
You pay for the tow yourself, usually at the time of service, and then you're on your own for arranging a repair shop. This is the main reason people add the coverage, even if they rarely expect to use it.
Is roadside assistance worth it if I mostly drive short distances near home?
It depends more on the reliability of your car than how far you drive, since a dead battery or flat tire can happen in your own driveway. If your car is older or has needed roadside help before, it's worth having regardless of your typical drive.
Compare what adding roadside assistance would cost through a few insurers before you decide you need it.
Before you add anything, pull out your car's warranty paperwork and check whether roadside assistance is still included. Call the number on the back of any credit card you carry with an annual fee and ask if roadside benefits are part of the card. If you belong to an auto club, check what it already covers and whether it has any distance or usage limits. Once you know what you already have, ask your insurer what they'd add, what it would cost, and what the tow distance and yearly use limits are. Compare that against what you found before you decide whether to add it to your policy.
