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Drive over a nail on your way home from work? Progressive roadside assistance, which you can add on to your auto insurance policy for a small fee, can help. But while affordable, Progressive’s program isn’t as extensive as a plan from a dedicated roadside assistance provider.
In this review, we’ll cover Progressive’s Emergency Roadside Assistance program, pricing and how to use the coverage. You can compare free auto insurance quotes from providers in your area using the tool below.
In this article:
- What does Progressive roadside assistance cover?
- Progressive roadside assistance exclusions and limitations
- How to sign up for Progressive roadside services
- How much does Progressive roadside assistance cost?
- How Progressive roadside assistance works
- Other car insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
- Frequently asked questions
What does Progressive roadside assistance cover?
Progressive roadside assistance coverage includes towing, winching, battery jump-starts, fuel delivery, electric vehicle battery charging, locksmith services, flat tire changes and up to one hour of on-scene mechanical repair. It is comparable to other insurance and car warranty roadside assistance plans, but it isn’t quite as extensive as a roadside plan from a dedicated provider like AAA.
Here’s a breakdown of what Progressive’s roadside service covers:
| Progressive Roadside Assistance | Details |
| Towing service | Progressive will tow your vehicle anywhere within a 15-mile radius or to the nearest qualified repair shop. If you want Progressive to tow your car to a specific place outside of 15 miles, you’ll pay the difference. |
| Winching service | Progressive will extract your vehicle if it is stuck in mud or snow and is within 100 feet of a road. |
| Battery jump-starts | The insurer will jump-start your battery to get you back on the road. |
| Fuel delivery | If you run out of gas, Progressive will send someone with extra fuel. You’ll pay for the cost of fuel but not for the delivery. |
| Battery charging for electric cars | The car insurance company will tow your electric vehicle to a charging station within a 15-mile radius or further if there are no nearby stations. |
| Locksmith services | Progressive will send a locksmith to help you get into your car if you lock your keys inside. If you lose your keys and need new ones made, you’ll pay for them separately. |
| Flat tire changes | Progressive will dispatch a professional to change a flat tire with your spare. |
| On-scene mechanical repairs | Progressive will cover up to one hour of on-site labor for mechanical repairs. You pay for time beyond that, or you can get your car towed to a repair facility instead. |
In addition to roadside assistance service for cars, Progressive offers roadside assistance for motorcycles, boats and recreational vehicles. The same coverage applies whether you drive a car or an RV. Coverage also extends to towing alternative vehicles, even if they aren’t insured through Progressive.
Progressive roadside assistance exclusions and limitations
To purchase Progressive roadside assistance, you must have auto insurance through the company.
One of the drawbacks of coverage compared with programs like AAA is that you can only use it for vehicles on your own insurance policy (with an exception for towing your motorcycle, RV or boat). You can’t use it while driving a rental car or a family member’s car unless that vehicle is on your policy. This might come as a disappointment if you’re used to AAA, which allows you to call roadside assistance for whatever vehicle you’re using, even if you’re not the driver.
There are some other limitations as well. For example, you have to cover the cost of any maintenance item or fluids that your car needs. Some other programs include a certain amount of gas free.
Also, there’s a limit to the number of roadside events you can claim with Progressive. The limit is based on your other insurance coverage limits and state laws. Making a large number of roadside claims in one policy term may raise your future insurance rates.
Our team reached out to Progressive for a comment on these program limitations but did not receive a response.
How to sign up for Progressive roadside services
You can sign up for Progressive roadside assistance at any time. You don’t have to wait until your current insurance period is over. To sign up, you can either call your insurance agent or request a change to your coverage via the website or mobile app.
If you call your agent, they can also review any other changes to your driving situation to make sure you’re getting the best discounts. Using the website or mobile app is easy as well — just navigate to the coverage area to request a policy change.
Drivers with basic liability car insurance can get roadside assistance in most states. In some states, Progressive roadside assistance is only an option if you have full or comprehensive coverage.
How much does Progressive roadside assistance cost?
Progressive roadside assistance can cost between $15 and $30 per six-month policy term. In one Progressive insurance quote we received, roadside assistance was priced at $26.30 for a six-month term.
A Progressive plan around $30 costs roughly the same as an entry-level AAA plan. AAA Basic (or Classic depending on your AAA club) is roughly comparable to Progressive’s roadside assistance, but it only covers towing up to 3 miles (or five under Classic).
How Progressive roadside assistance works
So, you’re stuck on the side of the road at 2 a.m. You can either call Progressive’s roadside assistance number directly or start a roadside claim within the app on your phone. You can also get reimbursed for covered services if you contact a provider directly. For example, if you call a tow truck operator yourself, you can submit your receipt to Progressive.
One nice thing about the app is that it has instructions for jump-starting a battery and replacing a flat tire yourself, just in case.
After you start your request, you’ll have to wait for the service technician to get there. Progressive uses Agero and its affiliate network of providers, so technicians are located across the country. However, Progressive roadside assistance isn’t necessarily known for its speed of execution, some customers say.
Indeed, according to some customer reviews, you should be prepared to wait for 45 minutes to an hour on average for service. Progressive’s network of providers might not include the nearest tow truck to your location, so you may have to wait for one to come from farther away. Our team reached out to Progressive for a comment on these negative customer experiences but did not receive a response.
Note that you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for the services listed above unless you buy gas or other extras.
Other car insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
Adding roadside assistance onto an existing Progressive car insurance policy can be a simple way for drivers to increase peace of mind for a few more dollars a month. But Progressive isn’t the only insurance company that offers roadside assistance. You can get roadside coverage from most leading insurers, like Geico and USAA, but it can also be smart to go with a dedicated provider like AAA to keep your car insurance prices steady.
If you’re looking for auto insurance, use the free quote comparison tool below to see prices from providers in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Progressive roadside assistance free?
No, Progressive roadside assistance isn’t free. Our research shows that it can cost between $15 and $30 per policy term on average.
Do I have Progressive roadside assistance?
There are a few ways to check if you have Progressive roadside assistance. The simplest way is to sign into your account on Progressive’s website or on the app. The coverage detail screen will tell you if you have roadside assistance. You can also call your agent or Progressive’s customer service line for confirmation.
How often can I use Progressive roadside assistance?
Progressive limits the number of roadside assistance claims you can make in a six-month period. The exact amount depends on your overall coverage and your state. Be aware that making too many roadside claims through Progressive may increase your insurance premiums later on.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
