Daniel Robinson is a writer based in Greenville, N.C. with expertise in auto insurance, loans, warranty options and more. Away from the keyboard, Daniel spends time with his wife and son, plays guitar and obsesses over the Beatles and Baltimore Orioles.
Edited by RaShawn Mitchner Senior EditorRaShawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team senior editor covering personal finance topics and insurance. She’s spent over a decade writing and editing articles about how to save money on travel, entertainment, household services and more.
Our Research Process Edited by RaShawn Mitchner Senior EditorRaShawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team senior editor covering personal finance topics and insurance. She’s spent over a decade writing and editing articles about how to save money on travel, entertainment, household services and more.
Why Trust UsHere’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
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A Progressive roadside assistance program is a cheap add-on to an existing auto insurance policy that could really come in handy. However, while Progressive’s program is affordable, it isn’t as extensive as a plan from a dedicated roadside assistance provider.
In this review, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will cover Progressive’s Emergency Roadside Assistance program, pricing and how to use the coverage. We’ve reviewed the best roadside assistance plans and will provide some alternatives as well. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from several of the best car insurance providers to find the right option for your needs.
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Progressive’s roadside assistance plan is a positive offering within the car insurance industry. Customers can expect towing for cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats and heavy trucks. Progressive will even tow you to the nearest charger if you run out of power in your electric vehicle. The company’s roadside assistance plan stands out with its availability, industry standing and coverage offerings.
Below you can compare the pros and cons of Progressive roadside assistance:
Good roadside assistance coverages
Wide availability of motorcycle coverage
Great industry reputation
Can only be purchased as a car insurance add-on
Higher costs compared to competitors
Progressive roadside assistance can cost between $15 and $30 per six-month policy term (or $30 to $60 per year). In one Progressive insurance quote we received, roadside assistance was priced at $26.30 for a six-month term. This is slightly higher than roadside assistance plans from other companies. For example, Geico’s roadside assistance can cost as low as $14 per year, and State Farm charges around $30 per year depending on the vehicle.
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.
Progressive roadside assistance covers towing to the nearest qualified repair facility if your car is disabled because of a mechanical breakdown but not if you get into an accident. Towing after an accident may be covered under another part of your Progressive policy though.
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 its 15-mile range, 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-start | The insurer will jump-start your dead 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. You pay for the cost of the battery charge. |
| 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 change | 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. |
