Nationwide Roadside Assistance: What You Should Know

If you’re a Nationwide customer without roadside assistance, consider adding this coverage to your existing auto policy to protect you from car issues that leave you stranded on the road. Depending on your state, Nationwide roadside coverage can start at less than $24 per year, and it provides coverage for tows, jumpstarts, flat tire changes and other roadside emergency services.

Read more in our Nationwide roadside assistance review to answer your questions about how it works, what’s covered, how much it costs and potential drawbacks.

Key Takeaways

Adding roadside assistance coverage to your auto policy will allow you to gain coverage for tows, fuel deliveries, winching and other emergency roadside services.
The Nationwide Basic plan costs around $20 to $22 per year, or around $42 per year if you upgrade to the Plus plan, depending on your state.
Nationwide roadside coverage includes up to six service calls per year, depending on your location.
In most states, the Basic plan will tow your car up to 15 miles, while the Plus plan will tow your car up to 100 miles.

Nationwide Roadside Assistance Overview

	Basic	Plus
Availability	46 states^[1]	46 states^[1]
Annual Pricing	$20 to $22 (varies by state)	$42 (varies by state)
Tow Truck	15 miles	100 miles
Winching	Yes	Yes
Battery Jumpstart	Yes	Yes
Lockout	Yes	Yes
Flat Tire	Yes	Yes
Fuel Delivery	Yes	Yes
Trip Interruption	No	$500
Contact	Roadside assistance: 1-800-421-3535 Online portal Mobile app

Keep in mind that some services may vary by location. For example, in Virginia, policyholders receive $75 worth of towing coverage through the Basic plan and $300 through the Plus plan.[2] Considering a tow generally costs between $2.50 and $7 per mile, policyholders may get between 10 and 30 miles for the Basic plan or 42 to 120 miles with the Plus plan.^[3]

Additionally, Virginia policyholders receive $600 in trip interruption coverage on the Plus plan.^[2]

Our Thoughts on Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Nationwide offers two roadside plans: Basic and Plus. Each plan covers standard roadside services, but the Plus plan offers broader coverage — such as a 100-mile towing radius and trip interruption coverage — for an additional cost. With the cheapest plan potentially starting at less than $2 per month, roadside coverage through Nationwide is an affordable option.^[2]

According to the Nationwide representatives we spoke with, you’re covered for up to six service calls annually, regardless of the number of vehicles on your policy. Considering some roadside assistance plans — such as those offered by Allstate or AAA — limit you to only four or five service calls per year, Nationwide may be a better deal than some other insurers.^[4][5]

However, Nationwide may fall short in comparison to some of its competitors in customer satisfaction. According to J.D. Power’s 2025 Insurance Shopping Study, which ranks major auto insurance companies on overall customer satisfaction, Nationwide ranked eighth, although it did perform better than the study’s average score.^[6]

Nationwide Roadside Assistance Cost

Nationwide representatives informed us that the Basic plan generally costs between $20 and $22 annually. You can upgrade to the Plus plan for $42 per year, although costs for both plans may vary between states.

Nationwide Roadside Assistance Coverage

what does roadside assistance cover

Below, we’ll discuss what level of coverage you can expect from Nationwide.

What's Included?

Nationwide roadside coverage includes access to common emergency services, such as:^[2]

Towing services
Winches if your vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, snow, water or another terrain
Dead battery jumpstarts
Fuel delivery
Lockout services
Flat tire changes

Additionally, the optional upgrade to the Plus plan includes added benefits, such as:^[2]

Increased towing distance
Trip interruption coverage, including alternate transportation, lodging and meals

What Isn’t Included?

Towing beyond the amount covered by your tier may result in additional costs that you’ll need to pay out of pocket. For example, the towing service may charge you for an additional five miles if the nearest repair facility is 20 miles away and you only have the Basic plan.^[2] You may also be responsible for the cost of delivered parts or items, such as fuel or a battery replacement.

Additionally, trip interruption coverage under the Plus plan only applies if you are more than 100 miles from your home and stranded, and it only covers up to $500 of reimbursement for up to 72 hours after the time of displacement. Food and lodging costs are also capped at $100 per day during this period. Any additional expenses will likely need to be paid out of pocket.^[2]

How To Request Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Nationwide roadside assistance is available 24/7. If you’re stranded on the road, you can contact Nationwide’s roadside assistance phone number at 1-800-421-3535, use Nationwide's mobile app to file a claim or access help through Nationwide’s website.^[2][7]

If you’ve already arranged roadside services yourself and want to request reimbursement, you can send an email to tow@nationwide.com. Include your service bill, vehicle year, vehicle make and model, home address, phone number and policy number. Alternatively, you can mail this information to Nationwide Claims Services, PO Box 182068, Columbus, OH 43218-2068, or fax it to 1-866-201-2423.^[8]

How To Add Nationwide Roadside Assistance

You can add roadside assistance to your Nationwide auto policy by either calling a Nationwide insurance agent or logging into your online portal or mobile app to add it yourself.^[2] Keep in mind that adding this coverage will increase your policy premium. Additionally, Nationwide only offers roadside assistance coverage as an endorsement, so if you’re not a current Nationwide policyholder, you’ll need to switch to this insurer.

Note: In North Carolina, roadside assistance may be referred to as “Towing and Labor” coverage.^[2]

Pros and Cons of Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Higher towing mileage restricted to Plus plans
Six service calls covered in some states	Limited availability
Decent towing mileage

Pros

Affordable: Nationwide's roadside assistance plans are priced lower than those offered by some other companies. For instance, depending on your state, AAA memberships may start as high as $67 for their Basic tier, while the Nationwide Basic plan typically starts around $22.^[9]
Six service calls covered in some states: In certain locations, a Nationwide roadside plan may cover you for up to six service calls per year, which is more than what some other roadside assistance programs offer.
Decent towing mileage: Nationwide's Basic plan offers a 15-mile towing radius, which can help you reach the nearest repair shop or gas station. Towing coverage increases to a 100-mile radius if you upgrade to the Plus plan.^[2]

Cons

Higher towing mileage restricted to Plus plans: Depending on your location, you may not have many mechanics or repair facilities available within the Basic plan’s 15-mile towing radius. This could lead to out-of-pocket costs if you need to be towed further.
Limited availability: Nationwide does not have dedicated auto insurance pages for Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Massachusetts.^[1] As a result, you may not find roadside coverage if you live in one of these states.

Nationwide Roadside Assistance vs. the Competition

	All Basic Services Covered?	Towing Coverage
Nationwide (Basic)^[2]	Yes	15 miles
Travelers (Basic)^[10]	Yes	15 miles
USAA^[11]	Yes	Nearest auto body shop (most locations)
Liberty Mutual^[12]	Winching is not covered	Nearest qualified facility
Farmers (Standard)^[13][14]	Fuel delivery is not covered	20 miles
Esurance^[15][16]	Winching is not covered	Up to $75
AAA (Classic)^[17][18]	Yes	5 miles
State Farm^[19]	Yes	Nearest repair facility plus 10 miles

Get a Free Quote for Auto Insurance With Roadside Assistance

FAQs

How much extra is roadside assistance with Nationwide?

Depending on your state, Nationwide’s roadside assistance can cost less than $24 annually for its Basic plan.^[2] However, according to Nationwide representatives, you may need to pay $42 annually to access its higher-tiered Plus plan, depending on your state.

Can I use my Nationwide roadside assistance for someone else?

Yes. Since your insurance follows the car — not the driver — you can use your Nationwide roadside assistance coverage for someone else only if they’re driving one of your cars covered in your policy. However, coverage won’t apply if someone else is driving a car that isn’t named in your policy.

How often can I use my Nationwide roadside assistance?

According to Nationwide representatives, you can make up to six roadside assistance service calls annually.

How do I get reimbursed for towing with Nationwide?

You can send an email to tow@nationwide.com that includes your service bill, vehicle year, make and model, home address, phone number and policy number. Alternatively, you can physically mail this information to Nationwide Claims Services, PO Box 182068, Columbus, OH 43218-2068 or fax it to 1-866-201-2423.^[8]

How far will National roadside assistance tow my car for free?

Nationwide roadside assistance will cover towing up to 15 miles on the Basic plan and up to 100 miles on the Plus plan. Keep in mind that in Virginia, you may be given a dollar amount for towing based on your plan tier instead of a flat amount of mileage.^[2]

Sources

Nationwide. “Car Insurance Quotes by State.” Accessed May 13, 2025.
Nationwide. “24 Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 13, 2025.
J.D. Power. “How Much Does It Cost To Tow A Car?” Accessed May 13, 2025.
Allstate. “Membership Plans.” Accessed May 14, 2025.
AAA. “AAA Membership Benefits Guide.” Accessed May 15, 2025.
J.D. Power. “2025 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study.” Accessed May 14, 2025.
Nationwide. “Create an Emergency Phone Numbers List.” Accessed May 14, 2025.
Nationwide. “Towing and Labor Reimbursement.” Accessed May 14, 2025.
AAA. “Join AAA Today.” Accessed May 14, 2025.
Travelers Insurance. “Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
USAA. “Roadside Assistance Overview.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
Liberty Mutual. “24-Hour Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
Farmers Insurance. “Get Towing and Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
Farmers Insurance. “Farmers Flex Personal Car Insurance Options.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
Esurance. “Free Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
Esurance. “Towing and Labor.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
AAA. “AAA Roadside Assistance.” Accessed May 12, 2025.
AAA. “How Far Will AAA Tow My Car?” Accessed May 12, 2025.
State Farm. “Emergency Roadside Service.” Accessed May 12, 2025.

Everything You Need To Know About Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Preston Micalizio

Richard Murphy

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