You're on the side of the road with a flat tire, a dead battery, or a car that won't start.

The answer depends entirely on how your policy is set up. Here's what to know before you need it.

Standard Auto Insurance Does Not Include Towing

A common misconception: if you have full coverage (collision + comprehensive), towing is included. It's not — at least not automatically.

Standard auto insurance covers damage. Towing is a service. They're billed separately, and towing only gets covered if you've specifically added a roadside assistance endorsement to your policy.

Without it, a tow is entirely out of pocket.

What Roadside Assistance Coverage Actually Covers

When you add roadside assistance to your auto policy, it typically covers:

• Towing to the nearest qualified repair facility (sometimes with a mileage limit)
• Battery jump-starts
• Flat tire changes (if you have a spare)
• Fuel delivery if you run out of gas
• Lockout service if you lock your keys inside
• Winching if your car is stuck in mud, snow, or a ditch

Limits vary by insurer — some cap towing at 15 miles, others at 100. Read the fine print or ask your agent what your specific limit is.

What Roadside Assistance Coverage Doesn't Cover

• Towing to a shop of your choice (beyond the covered distance)
• Repairs on-site or at the shop
• Rental cars while your car is being repaired (that's a separate add-on)
• Multiple service calls per year in some policies — excessive use can trigger non-renewal

The Financial Math: Policy Add-On vs. AAA vs. Pay-Per-Use

Three realistic options for roadside coverage — and what they actually cost:

Add roadside to your auto policy:  Easy to bundle, billed with your existing premium, no membership to manage. The downside: using it frequently can sometimes affect your rate or flag your account.

AAA membership: ~$60–$120/year depending on plan level. Covers all vehicles you're a passenger in, not just your own car. Classic option with strong national network. Pays for itself quickly if you use it.

Pay-per-use (apps like Urgently or HONK): No monthly cost. You pay the market rate per service call — tows typically run $75–$150+ depending on distance, time of day, and location. Best for drivers who almost never have issues and don't want recurring fees.

The math: If you'd use roadside assistance even once every couple of years, adding it to your policy or carrying AAA is almost always cheaper than paying out of pocket when something goes wrong.

What to Do Right Now

Check your current policy declarations page and look for a roadside assistance or emergency road service line item. If it's not there, call your agent and ask if you can add it. The cost is often minimal, and the alternative is paying $150 for a tow at 11 PM on a highway you've never been on.

If you're not sure what your policy includes, Suncoast Financial & Insurance Agency can review it with you, compare your options across carriers, and help you decide whether adding it to your policy or going with a standalone service makes more financial sense for how you drive.