Everything You Need To Know About USAA Roadside Assistance

If you’re part of a military family, USAA has a car insurance and roadside assistance solution for you. For around $18 to $24 per year, you can add roadside coverage to your USAA auto policy. Coverage will include tows, fuel delivery, tire replacement and other roadside emergency services. This USAA roadside assistance review will detail how this policy add-on works and how it compares to other providers.

Overview

Availability	All 50 states
Annual Pricing	$18-$24
Service Calls	Varies
Tow Truck	50 miles
Battery Jumpstart	Yes
Flat Tire	Yes
Fuel Delivery	Yes
On-Scene Labor	1 hour
Winching	Yes
Lockout	Yes
Trip Interruption	No
Contact	Phone: 210-531-USAA (8722) Mobile app Online portal

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Our Thoughts on USAA Roadside Assistance

USAA is available only to drivers who are active or veteran military personnel and their family members. USAA roadside coverage — and their auto insurance — will not cover drivers unaffiliated with the military.

USAA’s roadside assistance offers towing services within a 50-mile radius, far exceeding the towing mileage limits of other insurance companies.

Adding roadside coverage to your USAA auto policy is also easy on your wallet, costing only about $1.50 to $2.00 per month. At an annual cost of about $24, this beats the price of calling a tow truck yourself and potentially spending, on average, $109.

Bottom line: If you qualify for USAA auto insurance, then the low cost of roadside coverage can be of benefit to you and your family.

USAA Roadside Assistance Cost

The cost to add USAA roadside assistance to your auto insurance policy will typically increase your premium by $1.50 to $2.00 per month, according to our phone call with a USAA representative. Considering the range of services available to you — towing, winching, lockout services and more — spending just $24 per year is a low cost that buys tons of value when you’re in a roadside pinch.

Premium	Policy	Roadside Assistance	Total
Monthly	$149	$1.50-$2.00	$150.50-$151
Six-month	$894	$9-$12	$903-$906

We compiled the average cost of USAA auto insurance policies in 2021 using the average cost of auto policies in Colorado, Kentucky, Washington, Arizona, Hawaii, Virginia and Kansas. Based on those numbers, you could be spending about $150.50 to $151 monthly on car insurance after adding roadside assistance. Actual pricing will vary per policyholder.

What’s Included and What’s Not Included?

At an affordable cost, USAA roadside coverage will provide access to most types of emergency services, including tows, jumpstarts and lockouts. However, there are some exclusions you should keep in mind.

What’s Included	What’s NOT Included
Vehicle towing	Services for friends and family
Winching	Services beyond the claim limit
Battery jumpstart
Fuel delivery
Lockout service
Flat tire change
On-scene labor

What’s Included?

Adding the roadside assistance endorsement to your USAA auto policy will unlock the following services:

• Vehicle towing: USAA can dispatch a tow truck to haul your vehicle to the nearest repair facility or electric vehicle charging station within a 50-mile radius. While the distance is already extensive, you may be subject to additional charges if you exceed 50 miles.
• Winching: If your vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, snow, water or another terrain, then USAA will send a professional to extricate your vehicle with specialized equipment. Your car must be situated near a public roadway. Service may not be available if you’re in an off-road location.
• Battery jumpstart: Dead batteries commonly occur when you leave your lights on or don’t turn on your vehicle — if you need a jumpstart, USAA has you covered.
• Fuel delivery: If your vehicle gas tank is empty, you can arrange to have fuel delivered to your location. You will need to pay for the cost of fuel though.
• Lockout service: Whether you left your keys inside or they were lost or stolen, USAA can dispatch a locksmith to help you regain access to your vehicle. You are typically responsible for the cost of a new key, if needed.
• Flat tire change: If you popped a tire, USAA can arrange for a service provider to replace it with a spare tire that you have on hand. USAA will help replace your tire but will not pay for the cost of the replacement tire itself.
• On-scene labor: Roadside assistance includes one hour of on-site, mechanical labor. Otherwise, you will likely need to have your car towed to a nearby repair shop.

What’s Not Included?

Your USAA roadside coverage will not cover you in the following instances:

• Roadside services for friends and family: USAA roadside coverage will not be available if you are in a vehicle that is not listed in your auto policy (e.g., you’re the driver or passenger in a friend’s vehicle). However, coverage does extend to a rental car according to our phone call with a USAA representative.

• Services beyond claim limit: The number of claims you can file within a given period will vary by the policyholder. However, your roadside coverage may be terminated or barred from renewal if you’re found making too many service calls.
• Trip interruption: Unlike other providers, USAA does not include trip interruption as a benefit you can add to your roadside coverage endorsement. You will need to purchase USAA travel insurance to gain this benefit.

How To Request Roadside Assistance

USAA roadside assistance includes 24/7 service across the country. When you need help, there are a couple of ways to receive service:

1. Call 800-531-8722 and speak with an agent.
2. Submit an online claim.
3. Submit a claim through the mobile app. USAA says this takes less than five minutes and you can map your location through the app.

How Do I Get Reimbursed for Towing With USAA?

If you’ve already paid for roadside services outside your policy, you can get reimbursed for any “reasonable fees and charges.” Your request for reimbursement can be submitted online, through the mobile app or by calling 210-531-8722. Be sure to have your policy number and receipt ready.

How To Add Roadside Assistance to Your Policy

If you’re an existing USAA policyholder, you can get roadside assistance through your online account. When you access your online portal, you can review and edit your existing coverages. You can also call 800-531-8722 to speak with an insurance agent.

Do I Already Have USAA Roadside Assistance?

You can review if you have USAA roadside service and other existing coverages by signing into your online account or using the mobile app.

Do I Get Free Roadside Assistance With USAA?

USAA roadside assistance is an optional coverage that you must purchase and add to your car insurance policy.

Pros and Cons of USAA Roadside Assistance

Major upsides of roadside assistance through USAA include great towing coverage and affordability. However, this add-on does have its downsides, like no trip interruption coverage.

Pros	Cons
Generous tow distance	Limit on number of claims
Affordable	No trip interruption benefit
Rental car covered	Military families only
Discounted rates if you don’t buy roadside coverage

Pros

• Generous tow distance: USAA customers can have covered vehicles towed to the nearest repair shop that is qualified within 50-mile proximity — this is quite generous compared to insurance carriers that cover only up to 20 miles. AAA memberships in some regions may cover only three to seven miles.
• Affordable: At only about $1.50 to $2.00 per month, towing, lockout services and more are available without needing to break the bank.
• Rental car coverage: Unlike some carriers that strictly cover only vehicles listed in your car insurance policy, USAA roadside coverage is available even while driving a rental vehicle.
• Discounted rates if you don’t buy roadside coverage: Adding roadside coverage to your auto policy is not a prerequisite for requesting service. Even without buying this policy add-on, you can still call in for help. You will still need to pay out of pocket for service but at a discounted rate.

Cons

• Limited number of claims: Like many insurance companies, there is a limit on how many roadside assistance claims you can file within a period. The actual number will vary per policyholder. If you’re filing claims excessively, your roadside coverage may be terminated and you may not be able to renew it for another term.
• No trip interruption benefit: USAA roadside coverage does not include trip interruption coverage as an added benefit.
• Military families only: USAA policies are only available to military families, which excludes a large percentage of U.S. drivers.

USAA vs. the Competition

USAA certainly outshines competing roadside coverage providers with its low cost and generous towing distance. If you’re affiliated with the military, then USAA is definitely a top contender.

	USAA	Liberty Mutual	AAA Classic	Farmers
Annual Cost	$18	$7-$35	$54	$20
Service Calls Per Year	Varies	6	4	3
Tow Truck	50 miles	$200	7 miles	Up to $150
Winching	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Battery Jumpstart	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lockout	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Flat Tire	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fuel Delivery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
On-Scene Labor	1 hour	1 hour	1 hour	Yes
Response	60 to 90 min	n/a	21 minutes	N/A

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Key Takeaways Adding roadside assistance to your USAA auto policy will only cost about $18 to $24 per year depending on your policy and location. USAA roadside assistance includes the most common emergency services, including tows, battery jumpstarts, flat tire replacements and winching. USAA towing mileage covers up to 50 miles, which is generous and among the highest we’ve seen. You cannot purchase USAA roadside coverage (or auto policy) unless you are a member of a military family.

If you’re a military member or the spouse, child or grandchild of one, USAA roadside assistance has some great advantages for you. If you don’t qualify for USAA car insurance SmartFinancial can help you find another carrier that offers roadside coverage. With SmartFinancial, you can compare the lowest auto insurance rates and coverages that include roadside assistance from our 200+ insurance partners with just a few button clicks. Enter your zip code below or call 855.214.2291 to start your free quote.