How to Get Roadside Assistance in New York
NYSDOT provides free roadside emergency services on certain major roadways, but purchasing roadside assistance is always a good idea.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program provides free roadside emergency services on many major roads throughout the state during peak travel times—but purchasing roadside assistance through a
car insurance
company or club is still a good idea.If you break down while driving, a roadside assistance company can help jumpstart your vehicle, change your flat tire, bring you gasoline, or even tow your vehicle to a mechanic. If your car insurance policy includes roadside assistance, or if you’re part of a roadside assistance club, you won’t have to pay for a tow out of pocket in the event of an emergency.
Here’s how to find the best roadside assistance in New York.
How to get roadside assistance in New York
It’s best to look into your roadside assistance options before you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Fortunately, there are lots of options out there—from clubs like AAA to optional car insurance coverage. You can even opt for assistance via your vehicle’s manufacturer or your credit card company! Let’s take a closer look.
Roadside assistance clubs in New York
You’ve probably heard of
AAA
—one of the most recognizable names in roadside assistance. Although AAA and similar clubs, like Better World Club, tend to be the most expensive options at an average cost of $60 to $165 per year, they come with lots of benefits that truly make the higher price worth it
. A basic AAA membership comes with the following benefits:
- Car lockoutservices
- Dead battery services
- Flat tire services
- Towing services up to seven miles (four times per year)
Pricier plans offer even more perks, such as towing benefits up to 200 miles, trip disruption coverage, and even free car rentals! Roadside assistance is an excellent option for anyone who can afford the costs.
MORE: How to join AAA and make sure you have roadside assistance coverage
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Manufacturers that offer roadside assistance
If you purchase a brand-new vehicle, your manufacturer might offer roadside assistance as part of their factory warranty. Keep in mind that this won’t be for the entire life of your vehicle, but it should cover you for a few years.
Take a look at some popular examples:
Credit card companies that offer roadside assistance
Before purchasing roadside assistance via a special club or springing for an extended warranty package, double-check to see if your credit card company offers roadside assistance.
Some examples of credit card companies that do offer this great perk are:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- Citi
- Wells Fargo
- U.S. Bank
And if your credit card is a Visa, roadside assistance is automatically included—just beware that it comes with a fee! For non-Visa credit cards, options vary significantly. Just be sure to carefully check the terms of your credit card to see what you’re eligible for, as well as how to access your benefits.
MORE: Why your car breaks down and how to avoid it
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Did you know that your car insurance provider might actually be the easiest and most affordable way to access roadside assistance?
Popular car insurance providers, like
Nationwide
, Allstate
, and Progressive
, offer roadside assistance as an add-on benefit for an average of $10 to $20 per year for drivers with full coverage. Keep in mind that roadside assistance may also be referred to as “
towing and labor coverage
,” but the benefits are the same—both services offer everything from battery jumpstarts to roadside tire repairs to lockout or fuel delivery
services, to towing and winching.When shopping for a car insurance policy, mention that you want roadside assistance, and feel free to compare several quotes from several different providers. This way, you’ll find the best coverage for you at the lowest price possible.
How to find free roadside assistance in New York
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program offers free roadside emergency services on many major roads throughout the state during times when there are lots of cars on the road.
New York’s HELP program, which was created in 1994, has become one of the country’s biggest and most successful roadway service patrol programs. Currently, NYSDOT works with State Farm to provide roadside services free of charge to all drivers who travel throughout New York.
HELP provides a variety of services, such as:
- Coolant for radiators
- Directions or alternate routes
- Cell phones for the public to make local calls
All HELP drivers are also certified in first aid and CPR!
The HELP program does not have its own phone number. Instead, if you break down on the highway and do not have your own roadside assistance services, you can call 911, who will see if a HELP provider is in the area and can assist you.
HELP offers their services during commuter hours on weekdays. They serve the metro areas of Albany, Buffalo, Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City, and Rochester. Unfortunately, if you break down in a remote area—or outside of peak hours—you might not benefit from HELP.
If you simply need traffic-related information, you can dial 511, which will provide the following information:
- Emergency alerts about major transportation problems
- Traffic conditions, camera images, speeds
- Work zones and construction reports
- Weather conditions and forecasts
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What is the phone number for AAA?
AAA’s roadside assistance number is (800) 222-4357. If you’re a AAA member, you can call 24/7 for assistance.
Does New York have free roadside assistance?
Yes—but it’s only available in certain regions and during peak commuter hours. For more adequate coverage, it’s best to add towing and labor coverage to your car insurance policy, opt for a vehicle warranty that includes roadside assistance or purchase a plan through a company, like AAA.
