We take a closer look at Progressive’s roadside assistance program and compare its costs and services to coverage from Geico, State Farm, and USAA.
Invalid Zip CodePowered by
In This Review In This Review:Powered by
Progressive roadside assistance is offered as additional coverage, which means you buy it on top of your existing Progressive car insurance policy. It can’t be bought independently from a Progressive policy. This coverage can be used for a car, RV, motorcycle, or boat.
You can even purchase a similar policy that provides assistance for boats when they’re on the water. The company also offers heavy-truck roadside assistance for some large commercial vehicles.
Here are some of the details of what Progressive roadside assistance covers:
There’s a limit to the number of roadside events your policy will cover in a year. Check your policy limits–some services may vary from state to state. Price may also vary, but we found rates around $30 to $60 a year on top of an existing Progressive insurance premium. The roadside assistance plan is only available to Progressive customers who’ve purchased full-coverage auto insurance policies.
In the case of an emergency, you have two choices with Progressive towing service coverage. You can either reach out to Progressive, which will dispatch a local towing company on your behalf, or you can call the towing service directly and Progressive will reimburse the cost.
Reimbursement requests can be handled online, or you can mail your receipt to Progressive’s roadside assistance office in Massachusetts:
Progressive Reimbursements
PO Box 9147
Medford, MA 02155
Like car insurance rates, roadside assistance prices aren’t the same for everyone. The costs listed below may vary from what you can expect to pay.
| Roadside Assistance Provider | Approximate Annual Cost | Towing Services | Roadside Maintenance | Lockout Service | Fuel Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $30 to $60 | 15 miles or nearest repair shop | Yes, 1 hour | Yes | Yes |
| Geico | $14+ | Nearest repair shop within 20 miles | No | Yes, up to $100 | Yes |
| State Farm | $30+ | Nearest repair shop | Yes, 1 hour | Yes, 1 hour | Yes |
| USAA | $12 to $20 | Nearest repair shop | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
*Amount of time varies by policy.
Most insurance providers don’t offer stand-alone roadside assistance services, so you can’t get this type of coverage from Progressive without a traditional policy. Roadside assistance costs are added to your existing premium.
While some companies may offer lower rates for roadside assistance, you could end up paying a higher insurance premium overall depending on your driving record and other factors.
Progressive roadside assistance is one of the more costly roadside assistance programs compared to other insurers. However, it’s only slightly more expensive than some competitors. You could pay less for coverage overall if your Progressive car insurance policy is cheaper than competitors’ coverage.
We think this is a quality policy add-on for customers who already insure their vehicles with Progressive, but it may not be worth switching to Progressive just to receive these services.
Roadside assistance coverage isn’t very expensive and can easily pay for itself. Think about how often you’ve had to use a towing, winching, or locksmith service in the past. If it’s at least once every few years, a roadside assistance add-on may be worth it.
While the Progressive roadside assistance program compares well with competitors’ programs, we don’t recommend choosing a car insurance provider based on its emergency roadside assistance alone. Decide which types of car insurance you need and go from there. You can compare quotes from top auto insurance companies online or by contacting insurance agents.
Compare Car Insurance Rates Enter your zip code to shop for the best rates in your areaPowered by
We think Progressive, Geico, and AAA have some of the best roadside assistance options. We’ve also rated each of these companies highly in our review of car insurance providers. The ratings below are on a 5.0 scale.
Geico has some of the lowest average rates in the industry and consistently earns high marks in customer satisfaction. Its roadside assistance program has many of the standard features, including towing, winching, and lockout service. Plus, the Geico Mobile app makes it easy to get help on the road. As the second largest insurer in the nation, Geico has extensive options for coverage. One that stands out is mechanical breakdown insurance, which could complement a policy that has roadside assistance.
Progressive coverage is typically affordable and offers a number of valuable add-ons, like rental car reimbursement, custom parts and equipment value, and roadside assistance. While its roadside assistance tends to be more expensive than other providers’ programs, we think most customers will be satisfied with Progressive’s towing service. We also like Progressive for its policies for high-risk drivers, including drivers in their 20s and those with DUIs on their driving record.
AAA is known for its roadside assistance services. While many insurance providers require you to be a policyholder to be eligible for their roadside assistance program, AAA simply requires a AAA membership. Depending on which tier of coverage you choose, a AAA membership may cost $50 to $125 per year. On top of towing, jump-starts, tire changes, and lockout services, AAA also offers fuel delivery, winching, and extractions.
For general customer service, you can call Progressive at 1-888-671-4405. If you have roadside assistance through Progressive, you can get help by calling 1-800-776-4737. To file a claim, call 1-800-776-4737.
Yes, Progressive towing service is available if you’ve purchased roadside assistance with your standard auto insurance policy. Progressive will send a tow truck to your location and tow your vehicle up to 15 miles or to the nearest repair shop.
To be reimbursed for towing expenses with Progressive, you must have a roadside assistance policy. If you’ve purchased this policy, submit a reimbursement request through Progressive’s website or mail your request to the following address: Progressive Reimbursements
PO Box 9147
Medford, MA 02155
The cost of Progressive roadside assistance will vary depending on your state and policy. Roadside assistance can often be added to your existing Progressive policy for an additional $30 to $60 per year.
To check if you have roadside assistance with Progressive, call a Progressive customer service representative at 1-888-671-4405. Be ready to give your personal information and policy number. The agent will be able to review the specifics of your policy with you.
Roadside assistance coverage is different with every provider. Most, however, don’t cover the cost of a rental car. This is more likely to be a type of coverage called rental car reimbursement.
*Data accurate at time of publication.