How to Get Roadside Assistance in Ohio
While some interstates in Ohio have free roadside assistance available, paying for roadside assistance is still a good backup plan.
Written by Jennifer Justice
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
While the state of Ohio offers free roadside assistance along interstates in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo thanks to the Freeway Safety Patrol, you’re on your own in other areas of the state. This is why a
car insurance
company or roadside assistance club is still a good choice. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there at some point, stranded because we need help with a jump start, a flat tire, towing, or another problem involving your vehicle. You could hope for cell phone service to see if you can find a nearby towing company, or you can plan ahead by getting a roadside assistance option. Let’s look at how to find your best choices for roadside assistance in Ohio.
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Don’t wait until
you need a tow
to think about roadside assistance. There are a surprising number of choices available, including clubs like AAA, your vehicle’s manufacturer, credit card companies, or your insurer. You might be surprised at how affordable this add-on service is, plus you’ll be covered no matter where you are, not just the interstate sections covered by the Freeway Safety Patrol.Roadside assistance clubs in Ohio
Chances are good that you’ve heard of
AAA
since it’s one of the most recognized names in roadside assistance. While it can be pricey at $67 to $149 per year, you get a lot of benefits for the price
. A green alternative is the Better World Club at $42 to $100 a year, plus you can get help with bicycles—all while being carbon neutral!If you want to go with the old-reliable AAA, your basic Classic membership offers benefits like the following:
- Car lockoutservices
- Jumpstartfor a dead battery
- Help with a flat tire
- Four service calls a year
- Three miles free per tow, commercial rates for additional miles
If you go in for the Premier membership, you’ll get 100 miles free per tow and can get up to a 200-mile tow once a year, five service calls per year, and a $100 travel voucher, among other benefits. You can also get help with car rentals, free travel agent services, and more! Let’s face it, everyone needs help with their vehicle once in a while, and since you can’t predict when it’ll happen, you want to have a membership ready to go.
MORE: How to join AAA and make sure you have roadside assistance coverage
Manufacturers that offer roadside assistance
You might not realize that your vehicle’s manufacturer can offer roadside assistance coverage, but it can be one of the benefits of purchasing a new car. Here are some of the manufacturers that have limited-time offers:
Credit card companies that offer roadside assistance
If you have a credit card, your company might provide roadside assistance—most major credit card companies carry this service. You might have access to roadside assistance if you have an account with the following companies:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- Citi
- Wells Fargo
- U.S. Bank
Visa also has roadside assistance for an added fee, while other credit card companies may have it available, but it depends on the individual issuer. You’ll want to check what the limits and terms are for your specific credit card company since the service available will vary quite a bit.
MORE: Why your car breaks down and how to avoid it
Insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
An easy way to get roadside assistance is through your insurance company, especially if you already have car insurance with that provider.
The majority of insurance companies that offer vehicle coverage also have the option to add roadside assistance to your policy, such as
Nationwide
, Allstate
, and Progressive
. The price can be a very reasonable $10 to $20 per year if you already have a policy with that insurer. The service is sometimes called
towing and labor coverage
, but you get the same benefits as other roadside assistance programs, like a jump start if your battery dies, help with tire problems, assistance if you get locked out of your vehicle, towing services, and more.Check with your insurance agent or the company’s website to see if you have this option available. If you’re considering switching plans, add roadside assistance to your list of items to research since each insurance company has different benefits and prices.
How to find free roadside assistance in Ohio
If you are in Ohio, you have access to a program called the Freeway Safety Patrol, which is offered by the Ohio DOT and is sponsored by GEICO. You can contact them by calling 911 or by dialing #677 on your cell phone for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. However, this option is only available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Freeway Safety Patrol provides service to interstates in the following cities:
The program got its start in 2001, and they help with over 60,000 incidents every year. Since the service works with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, they can help with the following:
- Minor mechanical issues
- Providing a small amount of fuel
- Emergency medical assistance
Since the Freeway Safety Patrol only operates during the weekday, in specific areas, and only offers some services, you’ll still need an alternate plan if your situation doesn’t fall within those limits. While this option can be a great backup, you still want to consider a roadside assistance plan so you have all your bases covered.
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What is the phone number for AAA?
If you need AAA’s roadside assistance, call them at (800) 222-4357. Their service is available 24/7 if you have a membership with them.
Does Ohio have free roadside assistance?
Yes—the Freeway Safety Patrol helps drivers out on interstates within the Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo areas. However, they only operate on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and have limited services available. You won’t get the same coverage as a roadside assistance program from providers like AAA.
