Roadside assistance in Canada: Costs, coverage, and benefits explained

No matter how skilled of a driver you are, there will likely come a time when you’ll need roadside assistance. You never want to get a dead battery, a flat tire, an empty gas tank or otherwise find yourself stranded and in need of a tow without it.

The cost of a standalone roadside assistance plan can range from less than $50 to a couple hundred dollars depending on your travel needs and the number of people who share your plan. Some roadside assistance plans are also offered for free with some credit cards.  

This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know about roadside assistance, including what it covers, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth getting.

What is roadside assistance?

Roadside assistance is a service designed to help drivers who encounter a driving-related issue or emergency while travelling in their vehicle. Simply knowing that help is just a call or app tap away can help reduce anxiety during a mishap on the road. It’s especially valuable given how vast — and sometimes remote — Canada’s road network can be.

Common situations where roadside assistance is invaluable, include:

• Dead batteries
• Flat tires
• Locking yourself out of your vehicle
• Running out of fuel
• Getting stuck in snow or a ditch
• Needing a tow after a breakdown or accident

What does roadside assistance cover?

The services offered by roadside assistance can vary greatly depending on whether you’re getting the basic, no-frills service or you pay for a more premium plan. Plans also limit the number of calls out you can make annually, ranging anywhere on average from three to 10, depending on the cost of the plan.

Most basic plans usually offer a suite of emergency services including:

• Towing (to a nearby garage or specified distance, typically no more than 10 kilometres)
• Battery boost/jump-starts
• Changing a flat tire
• Help if you’re locked out of your car
• Fuel delivery (you may or may not get a set amount of free fuel)
• Winching/extrication (if you’re stuck in snow or mud)
• Minor mechanical first aid

More premium plans might include things like tows up to 200 or 320 kilometres, a set amount of free fuel, discounts on car battery purchases and coverage for additional members of the household, among other advantages.

Related: How much car insurance do you really need?

Does roadside assistance cover towing?

Towing is generally a main feature of most roadside assistance plans. The key really lies in how much distance coverage you’re offered. Basic plans may offer as little as 10 kms whereas premium plans offer 200 or even as much as 400 km. However, the towing distance covered varies. Here's a summary of a few Canada's popular roadside assistance providers. 

How much does roadside assistance cost?

Roadside assistance pricing for plans in Canada varies widely based on the provider, plan level, and whether you get it as a standalone membership or as an add-on to insurance or a credit card.

When paying for a stand-alone membership, prices can go from as low as $49.95 up to several hundreds of dollars. More expensive memberships tend to include higher towing limits, coverage for more family members, and more service calls per year.

Some insurers offer roadside assistance as an add-on. In Ontario and Alberta, drivers can add emergency roadside assistance endorsements to their auto insurance policies, such as OPCF 35 (Ontario) and SEF 35 (Alberta). The cost usually comes to as little as $5 to $15 per year, but coverage is typically limited. Coverage usually only includes reimbursement of up to $50 per use for towing or emergency roadside services but doesn’t include anything else like help with batteries or tires.

Do you already have roadside assistance?

Before buying roadside assistance, check if you are already covered. Many new vehicles come with roadside assistance for your first several years of ownership, so review your warranty booklet for details or ask your dealer.

Some auto insurance policies also provide roadside assistance, either as part of the policy or as an add-on endorsement like OPCF 35 in Ontario or SEF 35 in Alberta. Make sure you fully understand what benefits you get because often these included roadside assistance polices only offer basic services (in the case of OPCF/SEF 30, it’s limited to just towing services).

Additionally, some premium credit cards —  like the TD Cashback Infinite Card — provide cardholders with free roadside assistance. Always check your card’s benefits guide or contact your credit card company to see what is offered.

How to get roadside assistance

In Canada, there are several ways to get roadside assistance. The simplest and most direct way is to sign up with a roadside assistance provider. Many companies, like CAA, Canadian Tire, TD Auto Club and others, offer their services for purchase over the phone or through their website.

Roadside assistance is also offered by some insurance companies as an add-on service to an existing policy. With credit cards that feature free roadside assistance as a perk, you don’t have to apply separately for the service, but you should check with your card issuer how to request service in the event you need help with your vehicle.  

Once you’re enrolled in a plan, you’ll be able to request assistance via an app, phone or website.

Tips for choosing a plan:

• Compare towing distances and number of calls per year
• Check if coverage is for the driver or the vehicle
• Consider whether you’re looking for national or continent-wide coverage
• Look for extra perks (like travel discounts or complimentary rental car)

Is roadside assistance worth it?

Roadside assistance can be a lifesaver, especially for those who have older, less reliable cars, or who enjoy road trips or commute daily.  

Here are some of the pros and cons of getting a membership:

Pros:

• Provides peace of mind when you’re on the road
• Can save you hundreds of dollars on a tow or lockout call
• Convenient; help is just a call or app click away
• May include perks like travel discounts and free use of a rental car

Cons:

• Often comes with an annual fee
• Some of the cheaper or free plans may only offer limited benefits
• Plans tend to come with a set number of service calls and a short distance for a tow unless you go with a premium plan (which comes with a higher price tag)

Wither for long trips or short ones, roadside assistance is an anxiety-reducing lifeline in an emergency that can get you back on the road quickly and safely.

Read next: What happens if you get into an accident outside your province?