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Roadside assistance helps you get back on the road when you’ve got a flat tire, an empty tank of gas or if your car is giving you trouble. Many companies provide this service, and some are free if you with a membership. All it takes is a simple phone call and help is on the way.
Yes, if you have roadside assistance on your car insurance policy, call your insurer’s roadside help line now. Most breakdowns are covered by your roadside coverage, depending on your exact policy details and any exclusions to watch out for.
Insurers and other companies cover a wide range of help when you’re stranded on the road, including:
You could have roadside assistance without even knowing it. If not, try contacting one of these towing providers to get help now even if you’re not a customer or member.
Compare popular roadside options and how you can get in touch. You can even get roadside assistance without membership from some of these towing providers.
| Name | Membership required? | Contact information |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent.ly | No | Download the app |
| Good Hands Rescue | No | 844-251-2475 |
| Honk | No | Download the app |
| Encore Protection | Yes | 844-636-2673 |
| AutoVantage | Yes | 800-999-4227 |
| State Farm | No | 877-627-5757 |
| Liberty Mutual | Yes | 800-426-9898 |
| SafeCo | Yes | 877-762-3101 |
| USAA | Yes | 800-531-8555 |
| Allstate/AARP | Yes | 800-555-1121 |
| Encompass | Yes | Download the app |
| American Family | Yes | 800-692-6326 |
| Geico | Yes | 800-424-3426 |
| Travelers | Yes | 800-252-4633 |
| Direct Auto & Life | Yes | 877-463-4732 |
| Progressive | Yes | 800-776-2778 |
| Nationwide | Yes | 800-421-3535 |
| AAA | Yes | 800-222-4357 |
| BP Motor Club | Yes | 800-732-9600 |
Roadside assistance is only a phone call away, but there are a few ways to speed up the process:
Usually, you can expect a tow truck within one hour.
Apps and in-vehicle communication systems like OnStar typically have faster response times compared to phone calls. A growing number of roadside assistance apps aim to save you time and money, allowing you to send your location and issue directly to the dispatcher. AAA, Encompass, Honk and Urgent.ly are a few of the top roadside apps.
If you’re on a road trip and your car breaks down, towing your car home might not be the cheapest solution. Here are a few options.
The situation shouldn’t be any different even if you have kids or pets in the car with you. When you call for roadside assistance, just mention how many passengers you have with you so the technician can have room for everyone in the tow truck if you need a ride. Also, mention if any of your passengers need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
If your vehicle is still drivable after a car accident, you can typically take it to a repair shop that you choose.
If not, you may need to call for roadside assistance to get your vehicle towed. Most insurance policies don’t cover towing fees after a collision. But if you have additional roadside assistance protection through your provider, insurance could waive the fee.
Expect to wait between 30 and 90 minutes for help to arrive. Wait times vary depending on your location and damage to your vehicle, but most of the time multiple technicians arrive ready to help you.
When you call for roadside assistance, the nearest qualified technician is dispatched to your location. It all depends on how many technicians are in the area.
In most cases, you’ll be given an estimated waiting time, though you can usually expect to wait between 30 and 90 minutes. If assistance hasn’t arrived within an hour of you calling, you may want to call again to follow up and make sure the tow truck’s not lost. If you’re still waiting after another hour or so, consider calling another roadside assistance company.
If your technician can fix your car right there, you could be ready to roll in as little as an hour. Here’s how long you can expect to wait for common roadside repairs.
Roadside assistance typically covers the cost of most fixes. If you don’t have roadside assistance, compare average out-of-pocket costs.
| Type of service | Time to fix | Out of pocket cost |
|---|---|---|
| Jump start | 15 minutes | $25–$75+ |
| Battery replacement | 60 minutes | $75+ plus cost of battery |
| Emergency fuel | 5 minutes | $25–$75+ plus cost of fuel |
| Tire change | 30–60 minutes | $25–$75+ |
| Locksmith service | 10 minutes | $25–$75+ |
| Winch | 30+ minutes | $100+ |
| Tow | 10 minutes | $75+ |
Each company charges differently, but most will charge a monthly or yearly fee for a subscription to the service. From there, you’ll get a set number of times that you can call for roadside service per six months or year, along with set towing mileage. Some companies also give you a free hour of labor.
If it takes longer than an hour to repair your vehicle or if it needs to be towed outside the allotted mileage, you’ll pay extra fees for labor or mileage.
Roadside assistance can come in handy, but there are a few things to watch out for know exactly what you’re paying for.
Roadside assistance can provide peace of mind when you’re on the road, and it might be more affordable than you think. Though prices vary depending on the location, type of breakdown, company and other factors, this service is convenient if you travel often or commute to work.
Policies are often available directly through insurance providers, so compare your options to find the best coverage for your situation.
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