
Adding roadside assistance to your auto insurance policy can be a low-cost way to get help for common breakdowns like dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts, and towing—often with one phone call and no need to shop for a service provider. It’s especially useful if you drive frequently, commute in heavy traffic, or want predictable help when something goes wrong in Greenville, SC.
Why You Should Consider Adding Roadside Assistance To Your Auto Insurance Policy
What Roadside Assistance Actually Is (And What It Isn’t)
Roadside assistance is a service benefit that helps when your vehicle becomes disabled and you need help to get moving again or get towed to a repair facility. It’s not the same as collision or comprehensive coverage, and it’s not meant to pay for major repairs. Instead, it covers the “urgent basics” that keep a minor incident from turning into a long, expensive day.
Most roadside assistance programs are designed to handle routine, high-frequency problems such as:
- Towing after a breakdown
- Battery jump-start
- Flat tire change (with a spare)
- Lockout service
- Fuel delivery (usually you pay for the fuel, service may be covered)
- Winching or extraction in limited scenarios (varies by plan)
In our work with clients, a common issue we see is people assuming roadside assistance covers the cost of a new battery, tire, or repair. Typically, it covers the service call and labor for simple roadside tasks, not the parts.
Why Adding It To Your Auto Policy Can Be Convenient
You can get roadside assistance from several sources: auto clubs, vehicle manufacturers, credit cards, or insurance companies. Adding it to your auto insurance policy can be appealing because it consolidates your coverage and makes access simple.
Practical advantages often include:
- One number to call, especially if you already have a claims or service app
- Straightforward eligibility because it’s tied to a covered vehicle
- Less need to compare multiple third-party plans
- Often a modest premium add-on compared to standalone memberships
If you’re trying to reduce “subscription overload,” bundling roadside assistance with your auto policy can simplify your setup.
The Real-World Situations Where It Pays Off Quickly
Roadside assistance is most valuable in predictable, common scenarios—especially when you’re stuck and can’t safely solve the issue yourself.
Dead Battery Or No-Start
Battery failures are common, and they often happen at the worst time: early morning, after work, or during bad weather. Jump-start service gets you moving quickly, and if the battery is truly failing, it at least gets you to a shop without needing to coordinate a tow separately.
Flat Tire On The Road
If you have a spare and the tire can be changed safely, roadside assistance can handle the swap. If you don’t have a spare (which is increasingly common) or your tire is damaged beyond a quick fix, towing can be the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a long, stressful delay.
Lockout
Lockouts happen to careful people, too—especially with key fobs, trunk lockouts, or distracted moments when juggling groceries or work equipment. Roadside assistance can prevent you from paying high out-of-pocket locksmith rates.
Out Of Fuel Or Charging Issues
Fuel delivery can help if you misjudge distance or run into unexpected traffic. For EVs, roadside services vary, but many programs can still provide towing to the nearest charging location if you’re stranded.
Breakdown And Towing
This is the biggest value driver. A tow arranged in the moment—especially after hours—can be expensive and hard to coordinate. Having towing included or discounted can reduce cost uncertainty.
Along busy stretches near Haywood Mall, it’s not unusual for a minor mechanical problem to become a bigger safety concern simply because traffic makes it hard to wait or troubleshoot. Getting help quickly matters.
What Roadside Assistance Typically Covers And Common Limits
Roadside assistance is not unlimited. Most plans include limits that you should know before you rely on it.
Common limitations include:
- Towing distance limit (for example, a set number of miles per event)
- Number of service calls allowed per year
- Coverage restrictions for certain vehicles (heavy-duty trucks, specialty vehicles)
- Winching/extraction limits (distance off-road, severity of situation)
- Service availability based on provider networks and location
Practical tip: ask what towing distance is included and whether you can choose the destination or if it must be the nearest qualified repair facility.
Roadside Assistance Vs Towing And Labor Coverage: Are They The Same?
Depending on the carrier, “roadside assistance,” “towing and labor,” and similar names can mean slightly different things. Some emphasize towing after disablement, while others emphasize small roadside services.
When reviewing options, confirm:
- Does it include towing and roadside labor, or towing only?
- What counts as a covered disablement?
- Are lockouts included?
- Is tire service included if there’s no spare?
- Is there a per-incident dollar cap?
These details can change the value more than the premium difference.
Will Using Roadside Assistance Affect My Premium?
This is one of the most common questions. Roadside assistance is typically treated differently than at-fault accidents, but every insurer handles service usage and claims history differently. The key is to view it as a convenience feature and use it appropriately.
Practical approach:
- Use it for true roadside needs (tow, lockout, no-start, flat)
- Keep records of repeated issues (multiple battery calls often signal a replacement is needed)
- If you’re concerned about how service calls are recorded, ask how roadside events are categorized under your specific policy
In many cases, the bigger risk is not “rate impact” but repeatedly relying on roadside service instead of fixing the underlying maintenance issue.
Who Benefits Most From Adding Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance is often a good fit if:
- You commute regularly or drive daily for work
- You have an older vehicle or higher mileage car
- You drive at night, travel with family, or prefer safer, faster assistance
- You don’t want to coordinate towing/locksmith services on your own
- You want predictable help without carrying a separate membership
We also see it help newer drivers and families with teen drivers, where the peace-of-mind benefit is often just as important as the cost benefit.
How To Decide If It’s Worth It For You
Instead of guessing, look at your driving reality and the alternatives you already have.
Ask yourself:
- Do I already have roadside help through a manufacturer warranty, credit card, or membership?
- If my car broke down today, would I know who to call and what it would cost?
- Is my vehicle equipped with a spare tire and tools, or would I need a tow for a flat?
- Do I drive in areas where being stuck would be a safety concern?
If you already have reliable roadside coverage elsewhere, adding it may be redundant. If you don’t, the value often comes from the first or second time you need help.
A practical comparison method: price out a single tow in your area, then compare it to the annual cost of adding roadside assistance. For many drivers, one tow can exceed a full year (or more) of the add-on premium.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
To get full value from roadside assistance, avoid these common problems:
- Assuming it covers repairs or parts (it usually doesn’t)
- Not knowing towing distance limits until you need a long tow
- Forgetting to update the covered vehicle list after buying/selling cars
- Relying on roadside assistance repeatedly instead of fixing maintenance issues
- Assuming every vehicle you own automatically has the benefit (it’s usually tied to specific listed vehicles)
If you live or travel around areas like Five Forks, it’s also smart to confirm service availability and whether coverage applies seamlessly across county lines and longer trips.
Conclusion
Roadside assistance can be a practical, low-stress add-on that turns common breakdown problems into manageable inconveniences—especially when towing, lockouts, and jump-starts happen at inconvenient times. The best way to decide is to compare the modest add-on cost to the real cost and hassle of arranging emergency help on your own, and to confirm the limits that matter most (towing distance and number of calls). If you want help reviewing whether roadside assistance makes sense on your policy in Greenville, SC, we can walk through your options and match the coverage to how you actually drive.
At Priority Insurance LLC, we put our clients first by offering them policies that they can afford. Having insurance is a necessity nowadays, and we're here to help you out. Learn more about our products and services by calling our agency at (864) 297-9744. You can also request a free quote by CLICKING HERE.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It is crucial to consult with a qualified insurance agent or professional for personalized advice tailored to your specific circumstances. They can provide expert guidance and help you make informed decisions regarding your insurance needs.
Priority Insurance LLC
Greenville, SC
(864) 297-9744
https://www.priorityi.com/









