, then roadside assistance is included for free. Customers with liability-only policies can purchase roadside assistance for an additional monthly fee.

Esurance offers free roadside assistance with the purchase of a full-coverage policy
Liability-only policyholders can add the service for a fee
Esurance’s roadside assistance is less comprehensive than most, and may not be the best option for some drivers

What does Esurance roadside assistance cover?

Esurance’s roadside assistance program covers the following:

Towing services: If you need a tow truck, you get $75 worth of towing included with your roadside assistance policy.

Dead batteries: Need a

jumpstart

? Esurance has your back!

Fuel delivery: If you need gas, oil, or other fluids, Esurance can deliver them—but you’ll have to pay for the cost of the fluids themselves.

Locksmith services: If you’ve locked your keys in your car, Esurance will send out a locksmith to get you back in.

Tire changes: If you find yourself with a

flat tire

, you can contact Esurance to get someone to help you change it.

On-scene labor: Get on-the-spot help with minor mechanical problems.

There are conflicting reports as to whether or not Esurance provides winching services. Service availability and the number of covered incidents per year can vary by state, so make sure you double check with an Esurance agent as to what services are included in your policy.

One of the caveats with Esurance is that it only covers up to $75 for each incident. Anything over that, you have to pay out of pocket. But on the plus side, roadside assistance is included at no charge if you have both

collision

and

comprehensive policies

with Esurance.

MORE:

Will insurance cover a flat tire?

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How to use Esurance’s roadside assistance program

Esurance was at the forefront of online car insurance, so it’s not surprising that the preferred way to initiate a roadside assistance claim is through their

mobile app

. This not only lets you request assistance but also tracks the ETA of your incoming assistance in real time.

You can also call the roadside assistance number at 1-888-374-6472, but here’s the thing: when you call this number, you’re essentially given a recorded prompt to download the app and request help that way. If you’re somewhere that doesn’t have great service, this might be a bit of a challenge! So if you have Esurance, make sure you download the app before you need it.

The regular customer service number is 1-800-378-7262, and you would hopefully be able to work your way through the phone tree to a live person who can help you. We know Esurance likes to be digital and paperless, but this seems a little unnerving—5G isn’t exactly everywhere, and places where you don’t have a good internet connection would seem like the places where you’d need help the most.

MORE:

Is Esurance DriveSense worth it?

How much does Esurance roadside assistance cost?

If you’re feeling a little underwhelmed by Esurance’s roadside assistance, this might make you feel a little bit better: it’s included for free if you have a

full coverage car insurance policy

, which is typically your state’s

minimum required coverage

plus collision and comprehensive policies. If you have a

liability-only policy

, you can still get roadside assistance—but you’ll have to pay around $12 to $25 a month.

Esurance is one of the only insurance providers to include

towing and labor coverage

for free, but it’s important to note that it only covers $75 per incident. Anything more than that, you’ll have to pay for. $75 doesn’t cover a whole lot (especially if you need to be towed a long way), so odds are good that using Esurance’s “free” roadside assistance will still cost you some money.

So while free is good, does it really provide you with the protection you need? Would you be better off shelling out for a

AAA membership

instead? Maybe—read on to decide for yourself!

MORE:

Jumpstarting your dead car battery back to life

Esurance roadside assistance vs. AAA

There are quite a few differences between Esurance’s roadside assistance and an AAA membership.

For starters, there’s the ]cost—the basic plan from AAA starts at around $60 a year. There are

two higher levels of plans

that offer more extensive coverage and include things like a 100-mile towing radius and trip interruption benefits. Additionally, AAA members also get discounts at many hotels, restaurants, and more.

In addition to offering more robust coverage that includes winching and bicycle service, AAA also has one major benefit—it covers the individual, not the car. This means that while you have to be in your insured vehicle to use Esurance’s roadside assistance, AAA can be used for any car that you’re driving or a passenger in.

If you have full coverage through Esurance and don’t drive very far or very much, then their free roadside assistance could very well be enough for you. But if you spend a lot of time on the road, you might want to look into something that offers a bit more protection. And if you have a liability-only policy and want to add on roadside assistance, you’ll more than likely get more value for your money with a service like AAA.

MORE: How to tip your tow truck driver

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FAQs

Does using Esurance roadside assistance count as a claim?

No. There is a limit to the number of times you can use roadside assistance per year, but it doesn’t count as a claim and should not increase your premiums.

Do I need to be an Esurance customer to use their roadside assistance?

Yes. Roadside assistance with Esurance is free if you have a full-coverage policy. If you don’t have full coverage and choose not to purchase the roadside assistance policy, you can still use it—you’ll just have to pay the full cost of all the services.

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