Does Roadside Assistance Cover Towing? YES! (full Process)
A car breakdown on the highway on a stormy night is frustrating. Many car owners don’t understand what to do. The good news is that you are just a phone call away from roadside assistance. Whether you require spare tire replacement, fuel delivery, winching, etc. RSA is always beside you.
Yes, Roadside Assistance covers towing. If your car problem can’t be solved on the spot, assistance on the road guarantees that your vehicle reaches a safe destination like a mechanic shop or other similar services.
They will help you wherever you are, regardless of the time. Know the cost, where and how to get it, and other required information regarding towing service by reading this piece.
Types of Roadside Assistance that Include Towing
Different types of roadside assistance offer towing services upon request. Here is an overview of the types of roadside assistance.
- Auto Insurance Companies: Most auto insurance companies provide roadside assistance services. You can choose monthly or yearly plans according to your preference. While some providers include RSA in their complete car insurance package.
- Membership Auto Clubs: There are several membership auto clubs in the USA. A few renowned companies are AAA, Good Sam, etc. They have different plans. For example, AAA has 3 plans: Classic, Plus/Plus RV, and AAA premier. Towing services and costs are different from plan to plan.
- Car Manufacturers: Vehicle makers provide roadside assistance during the warranty period. For instance, Honda’s RSA service is for 3 years or 36,000 miles. In comparison, KIA offers their car owners 5 years or 60,000 miles of RSA.
- Credit Card Companies: Premium credit card companies offer 24X7 RSA service to their cardholders. The RSA service fee of Visa is $69.95/service. On the flip side, Mastercard offers services at a pre-negotiated fee.
Read the below chart carefully, where I crafted the comparison of different plans for towing services.
| Company Name | Towing Limit (Miles) | Additional Services |
|---|---|---|
| Blink | 5 | i) Fuel deliveryii) Jump startiii) Battery changeiv) Flat tire changev) Lock-out service |
| AAA | Classic Plan: 3 milesPlus/Plus RV: 100 milesAAA Premier: 200 miles (1st tow); 100 miles (after the 1st service) | i) Fuel deliveryii) Jump startiii) Battery changeiv) Flat tire changev) Manual laborvi) Lock-out servicevii) Trip planningviii) Mechanical first aidix) Passport photos |
| Good Sam | No Limit | i) Fuel deliveryii) Jump startiii) Battery changeiv) Flat tire changev) Lock-out service |
| Allstate Motor Club | 5 | i) Fuel deliveryii) Winchingiii) Jump startiv) Battery changev) Flat tire changevi) Lock-out service |
| Erie | 20 | i) Minor mechanical servicesii) Winching |
| Geico | 20 | i) Jump startii) Flat tire changeiii) Lockout service |
| Nationwide | 15 | i) Winchingii) Family Coverage |
| Better World Club | Bicycle Plan: 30 milesBasic Auto Plan: 5 milesPremium Auto Plan: 100 miles | i) Fuel deliveryii) Jump startiii) Trip routingiv) Lockout servicev) Rental carsvi) Flat tire changevii) Hotel discounts |
| AARP | 10 | i) Fuel deliveryii) Winchingiii) Jump startiv) Battery changev) Flat tire changevi) Manual laborvii) Lock-out serviceviii) Emergency hospital bondix) Trip routing |
| Carchex | 25 | i) Flat tire changeii) Emergency battery serviceiii) Fuel Deliveryiv) Mechanical first aidv) Theft rewardvi) Trip routingvii) Lockout service |
| Progressive | 15 | i) Fuel deliveryii) Winchingiii) Jump startiv) Battery changev) Flat tire changevi) Manual laborvii) Lock-out service |
| OnStar | 40 | i) Remote vehicle diagnosticsii) Flat tire changeiii) Lockout serviceiv) Assistance for stolen vehiclev) Automatic crash response |
Does Roadside Assistance Cover Towing?
Yes, roadside assistance covers towing.
Many roadside assistance providers automatically include towing to the closest repair shop or safe place in the case of an accident. Generally, towing service is provided due to below reasons,
- Mechanical breakdown
- Misfiring engine
- Overheating
- Transmission failure
- Loss of power steering
- Severe accident
- Low or dead battery
- Brake issues
In addition, RSA providers offer to tow up to a certain number of miles. If your car is far from the closest repair shop or safe place, you may have to pay an extra cost.
For this reason, before choosing a provider or an insurer and plan, knowing the maximum distance for towing is crucial.
Usually, RSA towing comes with the below restrictions.
- Distance Limits: RSA providers like Budget Direct offer free towing up to 20 km in the metropolitan area and 50 KM in rural areas.
- Size Limits: Towing luxurious cars is challenging and subject to the additional service cost. Cars no more than 3 meters high and 3.5-4 tons in weight are considered luxurious.
How to Access Towing Services through Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance providers have different procedures for accessing towing services. Some companies have dedicated contact numbers. While others introduced mobile apps.
A provider will be issued for towing regardless of your accessing method. The mobile app feature has a benefit. You can track the service provider through it.
If you need towing service in a rural area, during busy hours, or inclement weather, you may need to wait longer than usual.
The cost of the towing service depends on the RSA provider.
When requesting a towing service, the provider may ask for a few pieces of information, such as,
- Your membership number (if you are a member)
- Your exact location
- Your vehicle make and model
Find the contact number or accessing option of some reputed RSA providers in the below table.
| Company Name | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| AAA | 1-800-222-4357 |
| StateFarm | 877-627-5757 |
| AllState | 877-321-5991 |
How is Towing Covered Under Roadside Assistance?
All roadside assistance services have towing plans. Your vehicles will be towed due to the below conditions.
- During flat tires, if spare tires are unavailable in your car
- If your vehicle is severely damaged and needs to tow to the nearest mechanic shop
However, car towing has a few restrictions.
- Some roadside assistance providers offer to tow up to specific distances like 5 KM or 20 KM. In order to get towing service for additional distance, you have to pay the service cost.
- There are size limits as well. If your vehicle weighs more than the specified weight limit from the RSA providers, extra cost needs to be paid.
Requesting towing service is not a big deal. You can ask for the service by calling a contact number or visiting an app made by the providers.
Every provider has a dedicated contact number providing service 24X7. This is the fastest and most efficient way to ask for assistance when you are on a highway experiencing a car breakdown.
A smartphone app is also a good option as it will help you easily track the technician’s activities.
Factors that Affect the Availability of Towing Services
Remember that a few factors determine the cost and availability of towing services. I have shared the considerations for your convenience.
- Location
Towing cost significantly relies on the location where your vehicle stopped functioning.
An RSA service provider will ask you about the exact location first. Then the next question will be whether the breakdown occurs on the highway or in a residential area.
Recovering a vehicle on the highway is challenging and potentially dangerous. At the same time, vehicle recovery in a residential area is much easier.
If your vehicle is involved in an accident or goes off the road into a ditch, a skilled or professional driver can efficiently deal with vehicle towing on the highway. This type of situation directly affects the towing cost.
- Time of Day
Time of the day is another crucial factor that can reduce or increase the towing service cost.
All roadside assistance companies provide service at a higher cost when you request it during the night, rainy, snowy, or harsh weather conditions.
On the other hand, service costs will be lower on a sunny day.
Also, remember that the holiday rate is a bit higher than the regular days. It is because you will find fewer companies providing services during the holidays. Charges are also higher on weekends.
Most providers charge you more if you require services during peak hours, holidays, or severe weather.
- Type of Vehicle
Don’t assume that towing is a simple task. Towing mechanisms for small, larger, and luxury cars are different.
Using complex machineries for towing a small car is unnecessary. In contrast, the weight of larger vehicles possibly increases the risk of damage if towing is done improperly. So, towing a larger car needs special machinery.
At the same time, towing luxury cars are difficult to tow, require more attention, and cost higher.
- The severity of the Problem
The severity of the problem also determines the towing service cost.
For instance, if your car breaks down due to an accident, careful handling is necessary with special tools. On the contrary, a flatbed towing truck is a must for flat tires, increasing the cost.
In addition, if the vehicle is in a trench or a ditch, taking assistance from towing trucks, automatic axles, and winching machines is mandatory. These factors greatly impact the towing cost.
Roadside Assistance Towing related (FAQs)
Roadside assistance is pretty beneficial for car owners and drivers for the below reasons,
1. Getting help on the road is faster through RSA. You won’t have to wait several hours for a tow truck to arrive.
2. The service rate is affordable
3. Offer breakdown protection
Yes. Benefits and coverage vary depending on the car insurance companies. So, read the company policy carefully before signing a contract.
Yes. The reason is RSA plans cover the individual instead of the vehicle. But check with the provider if they provide the service when you require it most.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, reading this comprehensive guide clarifies your doubt regarding whether roadside assistance covers towing. If driving your vehicle is impossible for reasons like a dead battery, flat tire, lack of fuel, etc., you can request service from a roadside assistance provider. They will send a professional technician to restore your car.
Car insurance companies, car manufacturers, credit card companies, and membership auto clubs offer RSA services. Get the service paying monthly, yearly, or pay-per-use plans and rest easy.
Want more articles like this? Here are other related articles you might like:
Does Roadside Assistance Cost Money? YES! (With Minimal Cost)
Does Roadside Assistance Cover Flat Tires? YES! (Service Details)
Does AAA Change/Fix Tires For Free? [AAA Tire Service Guide]
Certification: BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Education: Mechanical engineer
Lives In: 539 W Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75208, USA
Rasel is an auto mechanic student and writer with over half a decade of experience in the automotive field. He has worked with top automotive brands such as Lexus, Quantum, and also owns two automotive blogs autocarneed.com and taxiwiz.com.