Everything You Need To Know About Esurance Roadside Assistance

Esurance, an Allstate company, includes roadside assistance in all auto policies that include comprehensive and collision coverage. With this convenient and complimentary add-on, policyholders can call for tows, jumpstarts, fuel delivery and more.  If you don’t have these coverages, roadside coverage is still available and you will need to call an Esurance agent for a quote.

Our Esurance roadside assistance review answers all of your questions about Esurance's options and how they compare with the competition.

Overview

	Esurance Roadside Assistance Add-On
Availability	43 states
Annual Pricing	Free for policies with comprehensive and collision coverage
Service Calls	3-6
Tow Truck	Up to $75
Battery Jumpstart	Yes
Lockout	Yes
Flat Tire	Yes
Fuel Delivery	Yes
On-Scene Labor	No
Winching/Extrication	No
Trip Interruption Service	No
Contact information:	Phone: 1 (800) 378-7262 Online Mobile app

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Our Thoughts on Esurance Roadside Assistance

Esurance roadside assistance provides a critical lifeline to drivers who need emergency roadside services. Fortunately for Esurance customers that have purchased collision and comprehensive coverage, roadside assistance is included as a bonus perk.

If your Esurance auto policy does not include collision and comprehensive coverage, you can call an agent to ask how much it will cost to add roadside assistance to your policy.

With the endorsement, you'll receive three to six service calls depending on your location. A term cap of six service calls is relatively high when compared to other providers who place the limit at three to four. Even when using the lower end of three service calls, the overall cost is cheaper than ordering a tow, which may cost $35 to $125 just for five miles of towing. On top of tows, you also have access to flat tire changes, fuel deliveries and flat tire changes.

Esurance Roadside Assistance Plan Cost

Esurance towing and labor coverage is included at no additional cost if you purchased collision and comprehensive coverage. If you did not add these two coverages to your auto policy, it is still possible to add this coverage to your auto policy. However, the cost is quote-based and it will apply per vehicle. When SmartFinancial called Esurance for a quote range, we were instructed that you must be an existing Esurance customer before a quote can be provided.

What's Included and What's Not Included?

Most common roadside services are included with Esurance roadside assistance except for winching. There are other coverage exclusions that policyholders should carefully note.

What's Included?	What's Not Included?
Covers three to six service calls per year	Trip interruption benefit
Vehicle towing	Winching/extraction
Flat tire change	Fixes for underlying issues
Fuel delivery	Costs that exceed claim limit
Battery jumpstart	Coverage for unlisted vehicles
Locksmith service

What's Included?

Esurance roadside assistance may include coverage for up to six disablements per year for flat tires, jumpstarts and more.

• Covers three to six service calls per year: On average, Esurance covers three to six service calls per year. Drivers in some states may be capped at $450 in roadside service costs per policy term.
• Vehicle towing:  You can contact Esurance's roadside assistance if you're ever stranded because of a vehicle breakdown. The car insurer pays for the first $75 of towing services (5 to 7 miles) to take your vehicle to a repair shop. Esurance only covers towing for non-collision events.
• Flat tire change: Esurance will send a mechanic to your location to switch out damaged, flat and deflated tires with spares.
• Fuel delivery:  Esurance roadside assistance will deliver gas to your location if your car runs out of gas. Oil and water deliveries are also available.
• Battery jumpstart: If your vehicle doesn't start, Esurance will send a service person to your location to jumpstart or recharge your dead battery.
• Locksmith services: Esurance will send a locksmith to open your vehicle if you lock your keys inside your car.

What's Not Included?

Esurance roadside coverage does not extend to the following scenarios and expenses:

• Trip interruption benefit: This plan doesn't provide a trip interruption reimbursement to cover your meals or hotel expenses due to an unexpected breakdown.
• Winching/extrication: Esurance doesn't pay for winching or extrication services. These services typically involve a towing company using a cable to pull a vehicle when it's stuck in terrain, like mud, snow or sand.
• Fixes for underlying issues:  This roadside assistance plan doesn't pay for repairs but will pay for a tow truck to take you to the nearest repair shop.
• Costs that exceed your claim limit: Esurance doesn't cover service costs beyond your plan's coverage. For example, you'll have to pay for towing costs that exceed $75.
• Coverage for unlisted vehicles: Roadside assistance plans follow the vehicle, not the person. You can't use your roadside assistance to help friends or family members whose vehicles aren't covered in the policy.

How To Request Esurance Roadside Assistance

If your car has mechanical issues, you can arrange for roadside assistance by dialing 1-800-378-7262. An automated message will prompt you to download Esurance's app to get immediate roadside assistance. 

When calling this number, make sure you have your policy number handy. Also, save copies of towing and contractor bills to expedite the claims process.

How To Add Esurance Roadside Assistance

Esurance makes it easy for customers to add roadside assistance. You can add this coverage by calling 1-800-378-7262 from 6 am to 12 am (CST). You can also buy roadside assistance by logging into your online account or through Esurance's mobile app. After signing up, your roadside assistance coverage may not be available immediately.

Esurance Roadside Assistance Pros and Cons

Learn about the upsides and downsides you can expect from Esurance roadside assistance.

Pros	Cons
Free coverage with collision and comprehensive coverage	No on-scene labor or winching
Includes most basic services	No trip interruption coverage
The plan covers $75 of towing	Not available in all states
Convenient mobile app

Pros

• Free coverage with collision and comprehensive coverage:  Roadside assistance is complimentary if your Esurance auto policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
• Includes basic services: With this plan, you'll receive basic roadside assistance services, such as towing, fuel deliveries and flat tire changes.
• Covers up to $75 of towing: Esurance will pay up to $75 for each towing incident.
• Convenient mobile app: You can track the progress of any roadside service claims through the Esurance mobile app. Additionally, you can track the estimated arrival time for technicians.

Cons

• No on-scene labor or winching: These plans don't offer onsite mechanical repairs or winching services to vehicles.
• No trip interruption coverage: Esurance doesn't provide a trip interruption coverage benefit for its roadside assistance members.
• Not available in all states: Esurance is not licensed to sell insurance products in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wyoming.

Esurance vs. the Competition

Roadside coverage through Esurance generally holds up to what other roadside providers are offering. The potential of six service calls per policy term in certain locations is where Esurance shines most.

	Esurance	Allstate Add-On	Nationwide Basic	Farmers
Annual Cost	Free*	$25	$22-$24	$23
Service Calls	3-6	3	6	3
Towing	Up to $75	Up to $100	15 miles	Up to $150*
Winching	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Locksmith	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
On-Site Labor	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fuel Delivery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jumpstart	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flat Tire	Yes	Yes	No	No

*For Esurance auto policies with collision and comprehensive coverage

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Key Takeaways Esurance roadside assistance provides access to tows, battery jumpstarts, locksmith services, fuel delivery and other services. Esurance roadside assistance is automatically included if you have collision and comprehensive coverage in your auto policy. Policyholders who do not qualify for free roadside assistance can speak with an insurance agent to obtain a quote. Esurance will cover up to $75 in towing costs.

Buy affordable car insurance that protects your vehicle and wallet. Signing up for a roadside assistance plan provides essential protection, but don't forget about other coverages that will protect you and your car. If you're unhappy with your current policy provider, Smart Financial can help you find an affordable auto insurance plan that's right for you. Just enter your zip code below or call 855.214.2291 and we'll provide you with free car insurance quotes from local and national carriers.

Sources:

• Esurance. “Free Roadside Assistance.” Accessed Dec. 19, 2022.
• Esurance. “Towing and Labor.” Accessed Dec. 19, 2022.
• Esurance. “Rating and State Licenses.” Accessed Dec. 19, 2022.
• JD Power. “How Much Does It Cost To Tow A Car?.” Accessed Dec. 19, 2022.