Roadside Assistance by Car Insurance Company

Roadside assistance is a low-cost add-on on most car insurance policies, but each company names it differently and sets its own towing limits and rules. This guide explains what roadside usually covers, how the main insurers offer it, and when a motor club or other option may fit better.

Quick answer

What it is: An optional add-on that sends help for breakdowns, flats, lockouts, and dead batteries.
What it covers: Service calls and towing up to a limit. You usually pay for parts, repairs, and fuel.
Crash tows: Towing after an accident is normally part of the auto claim, not roadside.
Check first: Your new car or credit card may already include roadside help.

By the InsuranceNew.org Editorial Team. Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. How we research carriers

What roadside assistance usually covers

Roadside assistance helps when your car stops running for a reason that is not a crash: a dead battery, a flat tire, an empty tank, keys locked inside, or a breakdown that needs a tow. On a car insurance policy it is almost always an optional add-on, and the insurer sends a contracted provider to you.

Usually included: towing (to the nearest qualified shop or within a set distance), jump-starts, changing a flat with your working spare, lockout service, fuel delivery, and winching if you are stuck near the road.
Usually not included: the parts and repairs themselves, the fuel, replacement keys, and towing beyond the covered distance.
After a crash: towing after an accident is normally handled through the auto claim (for example under collision), not through roadside. USAA says this directly on its roadside page.

Roadside assistance by insurer

Roadside assistance by insurance company
Insurer	What it is called	Typical services
Progressive	Roadside Assistance (optional add-on)	Towing, winching, jump-starts, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire changes; trip interruption add-on where available
GEICO	Emergency Roadside Service (optional add-on)	Towing to the nearest qualified shop (mileage limits apply), jump-starts, spare tire changes, lockout, winching, fuel delivery
State Farm	Emergency Road Service (optional coverage)	Towing and roadside repairs such as a flat tire
Allstate	Roadside on the auto policy, separate roadside memberships, or pay-per-use	Jump-starts, tows, flat tires and more; Allstate notes that policy-based roadside events are handled as claims
USAA	Towing and Labor coverage with Roadside Assistance (optional)	Towing to a nearby shop, winching, jump-starts, spare tire changes, lockout, fuel delivery
Farmers	Roadside Assistance, with an enhanced option on some policies	Towing, plus a longer towing distance and rideshare help with the enhanced option
The Hartford	Towing and Labor / roadside assistance (optional)	Towing and on-the-spot labor such as jump-starts and lockouts

For Esurance and The General, ask when you quote; options vary by state and policy. Towing distances and the number of service calls differ by company and plan, so check your declarations page.

Insurer roadside vs a motor club or other options

Insurer add-on: usually the simplest to buy and request through the insurer's app. It covers the cars on your policy, and the details are set in your policy.
Motor club or standalone plan: can follow the person rather than the car and may add perks, but it is a separate membership.
Credit card or new-car manufacturer coverage: some cards and new-vehicle warranties include roadside help. Check what you already have before you pay twice.

Does using roadside count as a claim?

It depends on the company. Progressive says you file a roadside claim to use the coverage, and Allstate notes that roadside on an auto policy is handled as a claim, while its separate memberships are not. Roadside requests are generally not treated like at-fault accident claims, but frequent use can matter for some companies. Ask your insurer how it treats roadside use at renewal.

Before you need it

Save the roadside number and your policy number in your phone, and install the insurer's app.
Check that your spare tire is inflated and the jack is in the car; most services change a flat only if you have a working spare.
Keep a basic kit: phone charger, blanket, flashlight, water, and in winter an ice scraper.

Frequently asked questions

These questions cover towing without roadside, other cars, and newer vehicles.

Is towing covered if I do not have roadside assistance?

After a covered accident, towing is often handled through the claim, for example under collision or the other driver's liability. For a breakdown with no accident, you usually pay yourself unless you have roadside coverage or a separate plan.

Does roadside cover me in any car I drive?

Usually it follows the vehicle on your policy. Some plans, such as Allstate's policy roadside, cover named insureds in other cars they drive. Check the wording on your policy.

Is roadside worth it on a newer car?

Many new cars come with manufacturer roadside help for a period. Check that first. If you already have it, you may not need to pay for an insurer add-on until it runs out.

Compare car insurance quotes by ZIP Code

Enter your ZIP Code to compare quotes. Ask each company to add or remove roadside so the quotes match. The form continues to a partner site, not to any carrier named on this page.

Car insurance quotes

Sources

Checked on October 20, 2026 on each insurer's official pages: Progressive roadside claims and coverages, GEICO Emergency Roadside Service, State Farm coverage options, Allstate roadside assistance, USAA roadside assistance, Farmers Flex options and The Hartford towing coverage. Your policy and declarations page set the actual limits.

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