Whether your engine caught fire, you ran out of gas, or you've been in an accident, aside from ensuring your safety and that of your passengers, the first priority should be to remove your car from the road. But what if it's late at night, or you're miles away from home or civilization? That's when your towing and roadside assistance coverage can save the day.
A local independent insurance agent can help you add towing and roadside assistance coverage to your car insurance policy. But first, here's an overview of towing and roadside assistance coverage and why you'd need it.
Key Takeaways - Towing and Roadside Assistance
Towing and roadside assistance coverage is an optional endorsement that can be added to an existing car insurance policy.
Adding towing and roadside assistance coverage to your auto policy can increase your premium by $10-$20 per year.
You're often required to have both comprehensive and collision insurance before you can add roadside assistance to your policy.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can help shop and compare towing and roadside assistance coverage quotes and policy options from multiple carriers in your area to find the best deal.
What Is Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Towing and roadside assistance insurance is an optional type of coverage that can be added to standard car insurance policies. It can cover many unfortunate incidents that can occur on the road, including engine shutdowns, dead batteries, accidents, and more. If you end up stranded while out on the road, your towing and roadside assistance coverage can pay for a professional service to come out and tow your vehicle or perform necessary mechanic services to help you get your car home or to a repair shop.
Most car insurance companies require you to add comprehensive coverage, and sometimes even collision coverage, to your auto policy before you can add the emergency roadside service endorsement. An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the types of coverage you need.
What Does Towing and Roadside Assistance Cover (and Exclude)?
What roadside assistance covers is generally the cost of emergency roadside services, such as towing, battery jump-starts, and flat tire changes.
Common roadside services covered
The list of covered services under towing and roadside assistance can vary by carrier and policy, but typical policies cover:
- Towing
- Tire changes or flat tire fixes
- Locksmith/key replacement
- Mechanical labor
- EV battery charging or towing to the nearest charging station
- Jump starts
- Fuel delivery
- Winching (i.e., pulling your car out of mud, snow, ditches, etc.)
- Trip interruptions (e.g., reimbursement for food and lodging if you're stranded more than 50 miles away from home)
Be sure to look for a policy that offers 24/7 roadside assistance that includes flat tire change service, fuel delivery roadside service, and winching service for your car insurance. Your independent insurance agent can help you find coverage that's available to you, whenever you need it.
Towing distance limits by carrier
How far will roadside assistance tow your car? The industry standard ranges from 15 to 25 miles to the nearest qualified repair shop. Progressive's limit is 15 miles, while Liberty Mutual caps towing cost coverage at $200. Towing coverage car insurance can be added to your full coverage auto policy with the help of an independent insurance agent.
What roadside assistance does not cover
Car insurance with roadside assistance doesn't cover all roadside disasters and expenses that may arise. There are several common roadside assistance exclusions, such as the following:
- Parts and labor repair beyond on-scene fixes
- Electronic key fob reprogramming
- Dealer-only towing distance overages
- Off-road recovery beyond winching limits
- Non-emergency transports
Ask your independent insurance agent to review the list of specific exclusions for your roadside assistance coverage with you so you can be certain of what's not covered.
How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost in 2026?
Roadside assistance car insurance costs an average of $1 to $3 per month from certain carriers. So, how much does roadside assistance cost per year? It ranges from $10 to $20 annually. Considering the amount of coverage you get, that's not much to add to your overall car insurance premium.
Insurance add-on vs. AAA vs. standalone membership
Roadside assistance coverage is attached to the vehicle listed on the policy, while a AAA membership follows the member in any vehicle, whether they're the driver or passenger. Roadside assistance coverage is cheaper, but an AAA membership can be more versatile. The table below compares the average roadside assistance vs. AAA membership costs for 2026.
| Roadside Assistance Coverage | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Roadside Assistance Coverage | $10–$20 per year |
| AAA Classic | $64.99 per year |
| AAA Plus | $99.99 per year |
| AAA Premier | $124.99 per year |
Out-of-pocket cost without roadside coverage
Wondering about the average towing cost without insurance? It breaks down as follows:
- A 5-10 mile local tow costs $50-$125 at most towing companies.
- Long-distance towing costs a $75 hook-up fee and an additional $2-$4 per mile.
- The average 40-mile tow costs $125-$250.
Additional emergency roadside services are typically priced as follows:
- Lockouts: $166-$192
- Flat tire replacements: $50-$150
- Jump-starts: $50-$150
Car lockout service insurance can be especially helpful. Without 24/7 roadside assistance car insurance, these costs can add up quickly.
Does Filing a Roadside Assistance Claim Raise Your Insurance Rate?
No, a single roadside incident in a year typically does not affect rates at most carriers. However, two or more in a year can flag your account, raise your premiums at renewal, or trigger non-renewal with some carriers. AAA and credit card roadside services don't appear on your insurance records.
Does Your Car Warranty Include Roadside Assistance?
Often, yes. It's becoming more common for car manufacturers to offer limited roadside assistance as part of their warranty. But be aware that many car warranties expire after three to five years, and some only offer towing services to a specific dealership.
Additionally, warranty roadside assistance often only tows your vehicle to the franchise dealership, rather than the closest qualified shop. Review your vehicle's warranty information to decide if adding towing and roadside assistance coverage to your car insurance makes sense.
Do I Need Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage?
No matter how reliable you think your car is, every vehicle has a risk of breaking down eventually. Even a newer car can get a flat tire and leave you sitting in a parking lot with no way to get home.
The good news is that some auto insurance policies include towing and roadside assistance, so this coverage isn't always an add-on with an extra charge. But if you choose not to add roadside assistance coverage and find yourself stranded one day, you could be stuck with a hefty bill.
You could also find yourself having to pay for the cost of lodging, meals, and more if you're stranded away from home and don't have towing and roadside assistance coverage. Considering the average price of a hotel room for a single occupant is around $130 per night, you can easily see how much more affordable it is to add a towing and roadside assistance endorsement to your car insurance policy for most people.
You can also get roadside assistance coverage with a membership to an auto club like AAA, AARP Roadside (via Allstate), Better World Club, or Good Sam. These memberships usually start at around $50 per year, which is more than a typical driver would pay to add the coverage to their car insurance.
When to Consider Adding Towing and Roadside Assistance
Towing and roadside assistance coverage is more beneficial for some people than others. If any of the following apply to you, you might want to consider adding this coverage to your car insurance:
- Having a long work commute
- Taking long or frequent road trips
- Owning an older vehicle
- Lacking experience in vehicle maintenance or repairs, such as changing a tire
- Lacking the budget for emergency car services
- Drivers without an active auto club membership or a premium credit card with roadside benefits
For those with older vehicles, longer commutes, etc., having towing and roadside assistance coverage as part of a complete car insurance policy makes the most sense.
How to Add Towing and Roadside Assistance to Your Policy
Have you been wondering, "Can I add roadside assistance to my car insurance?" The answer is yes, and it's pretty easy to do. Just follow these simple steps:
- Confirm your auto insurance company offers roadside assistance coverage. Most do.
- Verify whether comprehensive and collision coverage are required, and, if so, whether your existing auto policy includes them.
- Request the endorsement at your next policy renewal or sooner, if desired.
- Review the terms of the towing distance limit and per-event coverage caps.
- Compare the cost of roadside assistance coverage to that of a AAA Classic membership, and consider the difference before adding it to your auto policy.
Your independent insurance agent can also help you add the best roadside assistance insurance to your auto policy.
FAQs About Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage
How much does towing and roadside assistance cost in 2026?
The cost of towing and roadside assistance coverage is about $1 to $3 per month, or $10 to $20 per year. Alternatives to this endorsement include AAA memberships, with three tier options priced at $64.99 per year (Classic), $99.99 per year (Plus), and $124.99 per year (Premier).
Does using roadside assistance raise my car insurance rate?
Typically no, a single claim won't affect your policy rate. However, two or more claims in a year can flag your account and lead to a policy rate increase or a non-renewal.
How far will roadside assistance tow my car?
Most insurers cap towing distance to 15-25 miles to the nearest qualified repair shop. Progressive caps its towing distance to 15 miles, and Liberty Mutual covers up to $200 in towing costs. AAA Plus memberships cover tows up to 100 miles, and Premier memberships cover towing up to 200 miles.
Is AAA better than roadside assistance insurance?
AAA is better for frequent drivers and multi-driver households, while roadside assistance insurance is better for single-vehicle households with occasional needs. AAA costs more annually but offers more service calls per year, applies to any vehicle the member is in, whether as a driver or passenger, and includes lockout service in every membership tier. Roadside assistance insurance is cheaper, but attaches to the listed vehicle.
Does roadside assistance cover EV battery charging?
Often, yes. Most major carriers (e.g., Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and USAA) include either mobile EV charging or a tow to the nearest charging station as part of roadside assistance coverage. However, the cost of electricity itself is generally the policyholder's responsibility, much like a fuel delivery service. Ask your independent insurance agent to review the terms of your EV dead battery roadside coverage with you or check your policy's declarations page.
Will roadside assistance cover my motorcycle, RV or boat trailer?
Not usually. Standard auto policy roadside assistance endorsements typically only cover the vehicles listed on the policy. Motorcycles, RVs, and boat trailers usually require separate endorsements or specialty coverage. However, AAA Plus RV and Good Sam Roadside Assistance are popular standalone options for covering these types of vehicles.
Can I add roadside assistance without comprehensive and collision coverage?
It depends on your carrier. Progressive requires you to have both comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy before you can add roadside assistance. However, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and many others sell this coverage as a standalone endorsement on liability-only policies.
The Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agent
You might not know whether your existing car insurance includes towing and roadside assistance, or you may just be starting to look for the right coverage. Either way, an independent insurance agent can help you find all the coverage you need.
They'll get you matched to the policy that offers the best overall blend of coverage and cost. They can also help you find special types of coverage, including roadside assistance for older cars and electric vehicles.
Be prepared to ask your agent which carriers offer the highest towing distance, the lowest event-frequency penalties, and complimentary battery charging service. And down the road, they'll be there to help you file car insurance claims or update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/best-roadside-assistance/#best-roadside-assistance-plans
https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/getting-a-good-deal/car-insuranceprovided-roadside-assistance-what-you-get/2429
https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/progressive-roadside-assistance-towing-miles-limit-1000239-2140748130/
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/what-is-roadside-assistance/#cost-of-roadside-assistance
https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/does-roadside-assistance-help-with-keys-locked-in-car/
https://homeguide.com/costs/towing-service-cost