Roadside assistance: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What roadside assistance is

A roadside responder comes to where your car is stopped and helps with a flat tire, a dead battery, an empty tank or a minor mechanical issue, so you can keep moving or arrange a tow. You need it when the car stops somewhere unsafe or inconvenient and you cannot fix the problem yourself.

Signs you need it

  • The car has a flat tire and you do not have a spare or a jack you can use safely
  • The battery is dead and jump starting is not an option
  • You have run out of fuel or the fuel gauge is near empty on a long drive
  • The car will not start, or it overheats on the roadside
  • The car is locked out, stuck in snow or stranded in a parking lot

What the pro does

  • Confirms your location and the problem with you by phone
  • Arrives with the equipment for the common fault, such as a jack, a pump or a battery pack
  • Checks the car's safety before any work, including whether it is parked safely
  • Performs the roadside fix or arranges a tow if the car cannot be moved
  • Explains what was done and what the car needs before it is driven far

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The service plan you have, and whether the call is included or billed separately
  • The distance the responder has to travel to reach you
  • The time of day and whether the call is after hours
  • Whether the car needs a tow and how far it must go
  • Whether the fix is a simple one or needs a part the responder does not carry
  • Whether the car is in a hard to reach or unsafe spot

What a written quote should spell out

  • The service requested and the work done on the roadside
  • Any travel or dispatch charge and whether it is included in a plan
  • Whether a tow is needed and where the car is being taken
  • What the responder could not fix and why
  • Any follow up work the car needs before it is driven far

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is my roadside call covered by my plan, and what is billed separately?
  • Can you fix the problem here, or will you need to tow the car?
  • How long will you take to reach me?
  • Where will the car go if it needs a tow?
  • Can I ride along if the car is towed?
  • What do you recommend I do before I drive the car again?

Red flags

  • Says a tow is needed without checking the problem on the roadside
  • Will not show the charges before work starts
  • Pushes a tow to a shop you did not choose without telling you the fee
  • Adds unrelated repairs on the roadside without a written list

What you can do yourself

Keep a charged phone, a safety triangle or flares, and your roadside provider's number in the car. If you have a spare and a jack, check that the spare is inflated and that you know where the jack point is. If you cannot get the car safely off a busy road, stay buckled in with the hazard lights on and call for help. Call a responder for any problem involving the brakes, fuel system or airbags.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for roadside assistance. Towing involved in the call commonly needs commercial registration and insurance, so check with your state or local licensing agency and ask the responder to show its registration.

Roadside assistance questions

Is roadside help the same as a tow?

No. Roadside help fixes or moves the car on the spot, and a tow takes the car to a shop or another place. Ask which one the responder is offering.

What if the responder cannot fix the car on the roadside?

They should explain why and offer a tow or next steps. Ask for that in writing before the car moves.

Will a roadside call affect my insurance?

It depends on your plan and policy. Ask your provider how roadside calls are recorded.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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