Does Roadside Assistance Cost Money? YES! (with minimal cost)
Flat tires or lack of fuel is damn frustrating on the road, especially at night. Thanks to the roadside assistance providers, they will be beside you regardless of the time and weather conditions.
The average cost range of roadside assistance is between $5-$100 per year. However, it varies based on a few considerations like vehicle make and model, the distance of your location, time of the day, and many more.
I shared more details about the cost of roadside assistance in this comprehensive guide. Let’s get going.
Does Roadside Assistance Cost Money?
RSA costs anywhere between $5 to $ 100 a year, or it can be free from your car manufacturer or credit card company. But you have to pay a yearly fee to the manufacturer or card company. This is a base price, and you may require extra expenses for specific services.
For instance, some roadside assistance covers fuel delivery but needs to pay for gas. While most RSA providers limit the towing distance or the hours of manual labor.
Generally, customers buy RSA services for a year. Upfront or installment payments throughout the year options are available for the customer.
See the below price chart for your understanding.
| Company | Cost ($)/year | Tow Limit (miles) | Winching | Service Call Limit | Family Coverage | Minor Mechanical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 59 | 5 | Yes | 4 | No | Yes |
| Geico | 14 | 20 | Yes | Unlimited | No | No |
| Allstate | 79 | 10 | No | 3 | Yes | No |
| Erie | 5 | 20 | Yes | Unlimited | No | Yes |
| Nationwide | 22 | 15 | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | No |
| AARP | 66 | 10 | No | 2 | Yes | No |
| Good Sam | 49.95 | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | No |
| Better World Club | 61.95 | 5 | Yes | 4 | No | No |
| Progressive | 16 | 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| USAA | 14 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| CARCHEX | 60-110 | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| OnStar | 300-756 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Factors that Affect the Cost of Roadside Assistance
I listed a few factors below that affect the cost of roadside assistance.
Vehicle Size
RSA service is significantly influenced by vehicle size.
Generally, most providers offer service to light, medium, and high-end cars. The cost varies depending on the car size.
It is evident that providing RSA will cost a lot for a heavy-duty car. At the same time, light and medium vehicle owners won’t have to spend much money on RSA service.
Day, Night, and Weather Conditions
Weather conditions greatly affect the RSA service cost.
The cost will be cheaper for an RSA on a sunny day. On the other hand, if the weather is a blizzard or you need help on a stormy night, the charge will be a little more compared to usual.
Special Handling for Luxury Car
Undoubtedly, handling luxury or exotic cars requires a special tow truck or care. Towing these vehicles is challenging, so the towing price is also high.
So, when requesting roadside assistance or towing service, inform the professional that you have an electric or hybrid car.
Types of Roadside Assistance Services and Their Costs
You can choose roadside assistance types as per your preference by reading below.
- Membership-based Programs & Cost
Drivers or car owners can get RSA service coverage by buying a membership card from an auto club named AAA, National General, or Better world.
Membership-based programs are expensive compared to other RSA services, costing you roughly $60/per year.
Renowned clubs offer towing, battery jump-start, fuel delivery, flat tire, winching, lockout services, and trip interruption services to the members.
- Insurance-based Programs & Cost
Most auto insurance companies provide RSA as a policy add-on, but costs and benefits vary from company to company.
Insurance-based programs cover basic roadside help like towing, gas delivery, flat tire, lockout help, defective battery, etc.
Find the below chart for the cost based on the company,
| Insurance Company | Annual Cost ($) | Labor | Winching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 25 | N/A | N/A |
| Geico | 14+ | N/A | Yes |
| PROGRESSIVE | 11 – 16 | Yes | Yes |
| USAA | 15 – 20 | Yes | N/A |
| StateFarm | 5 – 10 | N/A | Yes |
- Credit card-based Programs & Cost
Some credit card companies, including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, etc., also automatically offer roadside assistance services to their card holders.
The below chart shares more about the services and costs of these companies.
| Card Company | Cost per Call ($) | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | 59.95 | i) Towing service (up to 5 miles)ii) Jump startsiii) Winchingiv) Fuel Deliveryv) Tire change |
| CHASE | 50/incident (maximum of 4 times a year) | i) Towii) Jump Startiii) Locksmithiv) Gas deliveryv) Tire change |
| WELLS Fargo | 69.95 | i) Towing service (up to 5 miles)ii) Jump startsiii) Winchingiv) Fuel Delivery (up to 5 gallons)v) Tire change |
- Pay-per-use Programs & Cost
Becoming a member of an auto club is not always necessary with a pay-per-use program. Whether a flat tire, tire change, jump starts, or lockouts, Allstate provides pay-per-use to the non-member for $149/tow.
- Car Manufacturers Programs
Renowned car manufacturers Ford, Hyundai, Honda, etc., offer RSA service for new vehicles. Similar to other RSA providers, they also provide towing, flat tires, jump starts, and fuel delivery. Read the below charts for more details.
| Brand | RSA Service (Years/Miles) |
|---|---|
| Ford | 5 / 36,000 |
| GM Motors | 5 / unlimited |
| Honda | 3 / 36,000 |
| KIA | 5 / 60,000 |
| Hyundai | 5 / unlimited |
| Toyota | 2 / unlimited |
| TESLA | 4 / 50,000 |
How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost for a Flat Tire?
Towing is one of the most expensive services of roadside assistance. This service is required when your car stops unexpectedly or is involved in an accident.
The cost of a flat tire depends on whether you have a spare tire and the RSA service provider. The service cost is $20 – $100 a year if a spare tire is available in your car.
In case the spare tire is unavailable, your vehicle will be towed to the nearest mechanic shop.
On the other hand, the average cost without an RSA plan is $75-$125.
Roadside Assistance Fuel Delivery Cost
Consumers get plenty of services from RSA providers, and fuel delivery is one of them. Most providers listed fuel delivery within their basic services.
Roadside assistance fuel delivery cost is $5 – $80.
Remember, you will have to bear the fuel cost separately. The service provider will bring the fuel for you to your location.
In contrast, the average cost for fuel delivery without an RSA plan is $50-$75.
Roadside Assistance Jump Start Cost
Roadside assistance jump-start costs anywhere between $20-$100 per year. The price varies based on your vehicle type, location, and time of the day.
For example, consider paying extra if you need help for a jump start on a stormy night. The condition is similar to a luxury or exotic car.
Additionally, some providers may cost you more if the technician needs to cover a long distance to reach you.
While the average cost for a jump start without a roadside assistance plan is $100-$200.
Roadside Assistance Price List in a Table
The below table shows the price and coverage of different roadside assistance companies. I listed auto clubs, insurance companies, and credit card companies in this list.
| Company | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $14 per car or year | Jump start, towing, flat fire, winching, manual labor |
| State Farm | $5 – $7 per policy period | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire |
| Progressive | $10 – $18 per policy period | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire |
| AARP | $66 – $143 / year | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire, winching, manual labor (up to 1 hour) |
| AAA | $38 – $156 | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire, winching, manual labor, theft protection, trip planning |
| Better World Club | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire, winching, trip planning, car rentals, discount on hotels, etc. | |
| CARCHEX | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire, winching, manual labor, theft protection, trip planning | |
| OnStar | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire, winching, manual labor, theft protection, trip planning, emergency cash response, assistance for stolen car | |
| CHASE | $50 per incident | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, lockout, flat tire |
| WELLS Fargo | $69.95 | Jump start, towing (max 5 miles), fuel delivery (max 5 gallons), lockout, flat tire, winching |
| Bank of America | $59.95 | Jump start, towing, fuel delivery, winching, lockout, flat tire |
Tips for Reducing Roadside Assistance Costs
You can reduce roadside assistance costs by following the below tips.
- Comparison Shopping among Providers
Before choosing a roadside assistance package:
- Consider comparing the price of the service providers.
- Look at the coverages and understand which service is important for you.
- Decide on the package.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Add-ons
Remember, all coverages or services of an RSA provider are not helpful for everyone. Find out which add-ons are unnecessary for you. By not choosing those add-ons, you can easily reduce the roadside assistance cost.
- Keeping Vehicles Well-maintained
Regular maintenance is the key to keeping the RSA cost minimal. Follow periodic maintenance of your vehicle, which will surely help your car to provide long-term service. At the same time, a perfectly maintained vehicle shows efficient and trouble-free performance for an extended period.
- Bundling Services
Look for RSA service providers offering bundling services. For instance, a flat tire, fuel delivery, and towing service bundle will cost less than other bundles of 4-5 services.
Roadside Assistance Cost related FAQs
In reality, there are no RSA providers available offering free service. You will have to pay the cost either to a membership-based company, an insurance company, a credit company, your car manufacturer, or based on your use.
Roadside assistance is a highly profitable business. Although the business requires high startup costs, profit is guaranteed as the industry has been booming at a 5.5% annual rate over the last 5 years. The US roadside assistance industry was worth $11.3 billion in 2022.
How Much Does It Cost: Roadside Assistance (Know Before You Go) >> Check out the video below:
Recap
So, does roadside assistance cost money? Impressively, most companies provide affordable service. They cover different services, and you must choose by looking at their plans.
This piece gives you a clear picture of the cost of roadside assistance. Compare the offers and decide which meets your budget.
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.