What roadside information covers and how it works

Roadside information is a service that sends help to you when your car breaks down, runs out of fuel, or gets a flat tire on the road. When you call the roadside information number, a dispatcher records your location and the problem, then sends a tow truck or service vehicle to meet you. The service pays the cost of that visit — you do not pay the driver or the company when they arrive.

Roadside information is usually sold as an add-on to your auto insurance policy, though some people buy it separately through membership programs like AAA. Your membership card or insurance documents will have a phone number to call 24 hours a day. The dispatcher will ask for your location (your GPS coordinates, nearby landmarks, or the highway mile marker), your vehicle description, and what is wrong with the car.

Most roadside information includes towing to a repair shop of your choice, lockout service if you lock your keys in the car, fuel delivery if you run out of gas, and tire changes for a flat. Some plans also cover jump-starts for dead batteries and winching if your car is stuck. The exact services depend on which plan you bought.

Key Takeaways

  • Roadside information sends a tow truck or service vehicle to your location and covers the cost of that visit when your car breaks down or you lock yourself out.
  • Most roadside information is sold through your auto insurance company, though you can also buy it separately through membership programs.
  • You call a 24-hour dispatcher number, give your location and vehicle details, and a service vehicle arrives within 30 to 90 minutes depending on how remote you are.
  • Towing distance limits vary by plan — some cover unlimited miles, while others cover only 50 or 100 miles before you pay extra.
  • If you do not have roadside information, you can call a local tow company directly, but you will pay out of pocket, usually $75 to $200 for a basic tow.

How to add roadside information to your insurance

If you have an auto insurance policy, you can usually add roadside information by calling your insurance company or logging into your online account. The cost is typically $5 to $15 per month, depending on the coverage level and your location. Some insurance companies include it automatically at no extra charge, so check your current policy first to see if you already have it.

When you add it, you will choose a towing distance limit — how far the service will tow your car for free. Common limits are 50 miles, 100 miles, or unlimited. If you choose 50 miles and need a 75-mile tow, you pay the difference. Unlimited towing costs more per month but removes that worry if you break down far from home or a repair shop.

After you add the coverage, your insurance company will mail you a membership card or send you a digital card through their app. Keep that card or the phone number in your phone. You do not need to do anything else — the coverage is active as soon as you pay the first premium.

What happens when you call for roadside help

When your car breaks down, call the number on your roadside information card. A dispatcher will answer and ask you to describe the problem — whether the car will not start, you have a flat tire, you are out of fuel, or something else. They will ask for your exact location: your address if you are near home, the highway name and mile marker if you are on an interstate, or nearby landmarks if you are on a rural road.

The dispatcher will also ask for your vehicle's year, make, model, and color so the driver can find you. They will give you an estimated arrival time, usually 30 to 90 minutes depending on how busy the service is and how remote your location is. If you are on a busy highway, stay in your car with the doors locked and hazard lights on. If you are in a safe location, you can wait outside.

When the service vehicle arrives, the driver will confirm your name and what is wrong with the car. For a flat tire, they will change it on the spot. For a lockout, they will unlock the door. For a dead battery, they will jump-start it. For a breakdown that cannot be fixed roadside, they will tow your car to a repair shop you choose or to the nearest shop if you do not have a preference.

Towing limits and what you pay if you exceed them

Every roadside information plan has a towing distance limit — the number of miles the service will tow your car for free. If your plan covers 100 miles and you need a 120-mile tow, you will be charged for the extra 20 miles. The per-mile rate for overage varies by company and region, but typically ranges from $3 to $7 per mile.

If you frequently drive far from home or repair shops, an unlimited towing plan is worth the extra cost. If you mostly drive in town and rarely go more than 50 miles from home, a 50-mile limit is usually enough. Check your plan documents to see what limit you have, and ask your insurance company what the overage rate is in your area.

Some roadside information plans also limit how many times per year you can use the service — for example, four times per year. If you exceed that limit, you may have to pay for additional calls out of pocket. Check your policy to see if there is an annual limit and what it is.

Roadside information through AAA and other membership programs

If you do not have auto insurance or want additional roadside coverage, you can buy a separate roadside information membership through AAA or similar programs. AAA membership costs roughly $50 to $150 per year depending on the membership tier and your region. The basic membership includes towing up to 100 miles, lockout service, fuel delivery, and tire changes.

AAA has its own network of tow trucks and service providers, so you call AAA's number instead of your insurance company's number. The process is the same: you give your location and vehicle details, and a service vehicle arrives. If you are an AAA member, you show your membership card to the driver and do not pay anything.

Other membership programs like Better World Club and roadside information apps like Honk and Roadtrippers offer similar services. These are worth considering if you do not have insurance-based roadside information or if you want backup coverage. Some of these programs are cheaper than AAA but may have smaller service networks in rural areas.

What to do if you do not have roadside information

If you do not have roadside information through insurance or a membership program, you can call a local tow company directly. Search online for "towing near me" or "roadside information near me" and call a company in your area. They will ask for your location and vehicle details, send a tow truck, and charge you when the driver arrives.

A basic tow typically costs $75 to $200 depending on the distance and your location. Urban areas are usually cheaper than rural areas. If the tow is longer than 10 or 15 miles, the cost increases. Some tow companies charge a flat rate for short distances and then a per-mile rate for anything beyond that.

If you are stranded and do not know which tow company to call, you can call the local police non-emergency line and ask for a referral. Police dispatch often has a list of licensed tow companies in the area. You can also call your insurance company — even if you do not have roadside information, they may be able to refer you to a tow company or help you find one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take for roadside information to arrive?

Arrival time depends on how busy the service is and how remote your location is. In cities and suburbs, expect 30 to 60 minutes. On rural highways, it may take 60 to 90 minutes or longer. The dispatcher will give you an estimated arrival time when you call. If you are on a major highway, the service usually arrives faster than if you are on a back road.

Can I choose which repair shop the tow truck takes my car to?

Yes. When you call roadside information, tell the dispatcher which repair shop you want to use. If you do not have a preference, they will tow you to the nearest shop or a shop in their network. You can also ask the driver to take you to a specific shop when they arrive, and they will do so as long as it is within your towing distance limit.

What if I run out of gas in the middle of the night?

Roadside information operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the number on your card anytime, day or night, and a dispatcher will send a service vehicle with fuel. The driver will deliver enough fuel to get you to a gas station — usually a few gallons. You will not be charged extra for calling at night.

Does roadside information cover accidents or collision damage?

No. Roadside information covers breakdowns, lockouts, flat tires, dead batteries, and running out of fuel. It does not cover damage from accidents, collisions, or weather events like flooding. If your car is damaged in an accident, you would file a claim with your auto insurance company's collision or comprehensive coverage instead.

Can I use roadside information if I am driving someone else's car?

It depends on your plan. If you have roadside information through your auto insurance, it usually covers you when you drive any car, not just your own. If you have AAA membership, it covers you in any vehicle. Check your policy or membership documents to confirm, or call the roadside information number and ask before you need help.